The Irony Continues
Krayton Kerns
2.14.07
There were two ironic events in Helena this week. Representative Dave Kasten of Brockway, one of the more fiscally conservative members of the House of Representatives, brought forth HB#11 addressing the disbursement of the funds for the Treasure State Endowment Program. These funds originate from the Coal Severance Tax and are used to fund infrastructure improvements throughout Montana communities.
Laurel’s wastewater project was item #30 on the list and was to receive $750,000 from the fund. Rep. Kasten’s bill would transfer $15.4 million from the general fund into this special revenue account but, for some reason, Governor Schweitzer was opposed to this appropriation and the House democrats locked-up hard and defeated this bill 51-49 on Second Reading. The irony was the conservatives were endorsing government spending and the tax-and-spend liberals were saying no. This bill is dead.
We closed out the week Saturday, February 10th with HB#230, an Act Allowing Alternative Teacher Certification. This bill was brought forth by Representative Roger Koopman of Bozeman and would allow the Superintendent of Public Instruction to issue teacher certificates to persons certified by local school districts after a one year service evaluation. Boiled down, this would allow Bill Gates to retire to Laurel and become certified to teach Computer Science classes after a one year trial service.
Here was the irony. Friday and Saturday just happened to be a MEA/MFT gathering at the Capitol. As the floor debate began the overhead gallery became packed with MEA/MFT members. There were teachers everywhere; definitely not a good time to be chewing gum. Periodically, as representatives would make points about the bill the gallery would cheer. You can’t do that. Representative Himmelberger was chairing the meeting and after reminding the gallery to be in order for the third time, he ordered the Sergeant at Arms to clear the gallery. A micro-protest appeared to be developing as the democrat side of the aisle stood in an apparent solidarity gesture, but order was restored and the bill was defeated 76-24. The teachers didn’t get kicked out of class.
