Local lawmakers not happy with governor's vetoes

Montana needs a better governor than the one who vetoed dozens of bills.

That was the consensus of six Republican legislators who addressed the Northwest Montana Patriots group on Thursday night.

Questions from the audience of more than 75 people and the legislators’ responses revealed dissatisfaction with Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s veto spree.

State Sen. Verdell Jackson said Schweitzer vetoed a record 79 bills from the recently completed legislative session. That broke his record of 20 vetoes in 2007, Jackson said.

He also noted that Schweitzer vetoed seven tort reform bills.

Some 1,075 bills were drafted during this year’s biennial session, down from around 1,500 bills during the 2009 session, Jackson said.

“It takes a long time to turn a big ship around,” freshman state Rep. Randy Brodehl of Kalispell said. “We have done a lot to turn this boat as fast as we possibly can.”

He noted that the Montana Legislature meets only 90 days every two years.

State Rep. Derek Skees said the Legislature accomplished the three things it needed to do the most: workers’ comp and medical marijuana reform, plus a revision of the Montana Environmental Policy Act.

The workers’ comp reform law will result in insurance rates dropping 26 percent in the first year and 46 percent in the second year, Skees said. This will allow him to hire one additional employee.

The state then will move from having the highest workers’ comp insurance rates in the nation to 23rd, he said.

Rep. Mark Blasdel noted that three of his bills passed, including a reduction in the business equipment tax.

Schweitzer vetoed five or six bills dealing with the state opting out of federal health-care reform, Blasdel said.

In addition, a “sheriffs first” bill was heavily watered down in the Senate and then vetoed, he said. The bill would require the federal government to communicate with local sheriffs prior to taking action in a county.

Jackson said the primary argument against the bill was: “How can we tell the federal government not to enforce the law?”

George Everett asked about an approaching $3.3 billion unfunded liability in the state employee retirement fund. Skees said the state needs to shift to a defined contribution plan for state employees rather than a defined benefit plan.

Brodehl said he received two death threats after introducing a bill that would allow the state’s seven largest cities to rely on some volunteer firefighters.

“Unions have a death grip on this state right now,” said Brodehl, former fire chief for Kalispell.

Jackson defended his vote in favor of a controversial eminent domain bill.

He said he researched the state code and concluded that utilities have the power to use eminent domain. “It’s really not organized, but it’s there,” he said of references in state law. The bill clarified the right that the company already had, he said.

Northwest Montana Patriots is one of several Tea Party groups in the Flathead.

Thursday’s meeting was held at Valley Victory Church in Evergreen.

Upcoming events include a talk by Ed Berry on Thursday at the church called “Saving Montana,” while a Preparedness Expo will be held June 18 with former Graham County, Ariz., Sheriff Richard Mack speaking.

Reporter Caleb Soptelean may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at csoptelean@dailyinterlake.com.