New local coalition watchdogs Legislature
A proposed Senate bill that would allow some local government entities to demand coordination from the federal government before imposing federal policies drew support on Tuesday from the new Flathead County Coalition.
Created by county Commissioner Pam Holmquist, the coalition held an organizational meeting and plans to watchdog the state Legislature and work to improve the county’s business climate.
Holmquist said her involvement with the group will be as a private citizen, and that no county money will be spent for coalition activities.
A half-dozen local government and business leaders attending the meeting agreed to support Senate Bill 117, the so-called coordination bill.
Several local Republican legislators, including Verdell Jackson, Jerry O’Neil, Keith Regier and Derek Skees, are among the 20 co-sponsors of the bill. It initially included cities and school districts but already has been tweaked to include only counties and special-purpose districts.
“Coordination is a good thing for the counties,” said Holmquist, who recently attended a meeting in Hamilton that explained how the bill would play out in requiring federal agencies to coordinate with counties before imposing policies or plans.
Jeff Larsen of Larsen Engineering and Surveying said he believes the coordination bill is a good start in creating a better working relationship between the federal government and counties, especially with timber and mining issues.
Columbia Falls Mayor Don Barnhart said he generally agreed with the intent of the proposed bill but wondered about its ultimate effectiveness.
“Is this jousting at windmills?” he asked.
The coalition also intends to weigh in on House Bill 334, introduced by Scott Reichner, R-Bigfork, that proposes to overhaul the state’s workers’ compensation program by cutting rates as much as 40 percent. Coalition members want to study the bill before taking a vote.
Holmquist presented two letters outlining issues she wants to see addressed and will gather signatures on both before sending them off.
One letter would be sent to all state legislators, asking for the elimination of the business equipment tax plus revisions to state laws to make capital gains rates competitive with other states. That letter also supports workers’ comp reform and asks for the streamlining of business regulations.
The second letter is directed to state Department of Transportation Director Jim Lynch and Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas and asks for completion of the Reserve Loop to alleviate traffic congestion in north Kalispell.
“We know you are both working diligently for your respective employers in negotiating a fair purchase of the FVCC property through which the Reserve Street Loop is slated to run,” the letter states, adding that the project should be a priority for the Department of Transportation.
Job creation will be a priority for the coalition, the group agreed. Each member will bring a list of issues they’d like to see addressed to the next meeting.
The coalition will meet the first and third Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. at Sykes’ in Kalispell for the duration of the legislative session. After that meetings will be held monthly.
Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.