Tutvedt earns state Chamber award
The Montana Chamber of Commerce has named Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, R-Kalispell, the Legislature’s Most Valuable Policymaker.
Nine other state legislators from the Flathead Valley received the Champion of Business Award, while seven earned honorable mention recognition.
Tutvedt was honored at the 10th annual Economic Update Series Thursday at the Kalispell Hilton Garden Inn. Glen Oppel, the state Chamber’s government relations director, presented the award, praising Tutvedt for pushing pro-business legislation and speaking on behalf of the business sector while taking the floor at policy meetings.
“I ran to make business better in the state and this year we’ve got a balanced book,” Tutvedt said. “I’m happy with the legislative session.”
Tutvedt was given a 100 percent approval rating by the state Chamber for voting for every bill brought to the floor by the Chamber.
“There were some defeats, but it was a good legislative year for the business community,” Oppel said.
Tutvedt, chairman of the Senate Taxation Committee, sponsored Chamber priority policy bills such as Senate Bill 171, aimed at revising the taxation of income, including the corporate income tax. Gov. Steve Bullock vetoed SB 171, saying it raised more issues than it resolved.
Senate Bill 288 — another Tutvedt-sponsored bill — would have provided that workers’ compensation insurance carriers have subrogation rights against an at-fault third party for medical claims, even if the awarded damages amounted to more than the employee’s compensation benefits and third-party settlements. Bullock also vetoed SB 288.
In a voting review publication released in July, the state Chamber acknowledged Tutvedt for representing the business community, while simultaneously encouraging other state senators to block anti-business policy.
Tutvedt received the award amid an unusual year for his political standing, having been called “one of the worst Republicans who has ever served in the Legislature,” by Rep. Matthew Monforton, R-Bozeman, for having voted with Democrats on several key issues. He was also censured by the Flathead County Republican Party late last year for misconduct and undermining the credibility of local Republicans.
“There’s some irony after the far right decided to censure me, but I’m enjoying the MVP award and proud of what we did with the Legislature and the bills we did manage to pass and move forward,” he said.
Local legislators receiving the Champion of Business Award included Sens. Mark Blasdel, R-Kalispell; Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork; Chas Vincent, R-Libby and representatives Jerry Bennett, R-Libby; Greg Hertz, R-Polson; Steve Lavin, R-Kalispell; Mark Noland, R-Bigfork; Keith Regier, R-Kalispell and Dan Salomon, R-Ronan.
Sens. Dee Brown, R-Hungry Horse, and Janna Taylor, R-Polson, and Reps. Randy Brodehl, R-Kalispell; Mike Cuffe, R-Eureka; Frank Garner, R-Kalispell; Carl Glimm, R-Kalispell; and Al Olszewski, R-Kalispell, each received an honorable mention.