Climate change needed in Helena

Gov. Brian Schweitzer came into office saying he was not just another liberal Democrat, and he aimed to prove it Wednesday night when he delivered his first State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature.

Schweitzer sounded many populist themes - praising the military, quoting Teddy Roosevelt and reminding the politicians in the audience that they "work for the families back home," not for "the lobbyists that prowl the halls of the Capitol building."

It was a successful formula, and Schweitzer certainly painted a convincing portrait of himself as a reasonable moderate who wants to help the common people of the state to better themselves. He spoke of lower taxes, job growth, development of natural resources, and health care.

Yes, the speech was something of a laundry list of proposals for the legislative session, but Schweitzer's passion turned the list into something more than a partisan agenda. He promised to restore the Made in Montana program, for instance, and more than once touted the magic of Montana as a marketable commodity that can be used to help the state grow in all the realms of the modern economy - education, energy, recreation, finance, entertainment, resources.

It would be nice to see legislators on both sides of the aisles working together to help Schweitzer promote a better Montana such as he envisions. Certainly, much of what he spoke about Wednesday should appeal on a non-partisan basis.

But the climate in Helena, as across the nation, is largely one of distrust.

Some Republicans distrust Schweitzer's promise that he will not accept any tax increases in the legislative session. Some Democrats distrust Schweitzer's choice of a Republican lieutenant governor and his outspoken commitment to putting Montana's people ahead of his own party.

But this governor and this Legislature have a chance to work together to do something new. They should certainly take that chance. If they can really figure out a way to fund the many programs that Schweitzer supports without at the same time raising taxes, then we will all be grateful to them.

And if they fail, you can bet one thing - Brian Schweitzer will be looking for other work in four years, along with many of those who opposed him.