Letters to the editor Dec. 31

Republicans united

This election, Montanans sent a clear message to Helena that they expect Republican leaders to be unified in reforming the way state government does business. Montana voters elected the first Republican governor in 16 years and expanded Republican majorities in the Montana Legislature. This November, I was elected Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives by my Republican colleagues and I am both honored and committed to achieving our conservative mandate.

As Speaker-elect, I am already working with House leaders to ensure that critical bills to expand gun rights, reduce burdensome regulations, lower taxes, protect life, fix our healthcare system, and strengthen Montana’s economy, make it through the House. Montana House Republicans will be prepared on day one of the legislative session to accomplish what the voters sent us to Helena to do.

I am proud of the recognitions that I have received from organizations such as the American Conservative Union. Last session I received their highest Award for Conservative Excellence and I will continue this leadership in 2021. My conservative values confidently guide my decision-making. The Montana House is a great deliberative body and as Republicans, we are unified in our conservative goals for the upcoming legislative session. I am also dedicated to ensuring that all members of our caucus have a voice and shared policy priorities are successful.  

We must work together if we are to achieve a successful Montana comeback that our constituents expect. I implore all Republicans in the House, the Senate, and now in the Governor’s Office to join me this session in achieving conservative victories for Montana. 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

—Wylie Galt, R-Martinsdale, is the Speaker-elect of the Montana House.

The Power of One

Have you ever thought: “What can one person do to stop climate change?”

You can contact our elected officials, tell them that you support clean energy and ask them to endorse HR763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.

The EICDA puts a fee on coal, oil, and gas where they are introduced in the market. Woa, you might say – isn’t that going to increase my costs? Yes, over time, energy producers may pass on these fees.  BUT, the beauty of HR763 is the monthly dividend. The money collected from the fees is returned in equal shares to Americans to spend as we see fit, without the government keeping any.  

Unless you are in a top income bracket, your dividend will more than offset any increased costs. Even in Montana, with our long drives, many will experience a net gain.

And did I mention jobs? With the Energy Innovation Act, capital investment will surge towards clean energy creating good, well-paying jobs for Montanans. In our transition to clean energy, workers will be needed to upgrade our electrical transmission system with both capacity and smart grid technology. And, we’ll still need experienced fossil fuel industry workers for the decommissioning and cleaning up of last century technology.

Exert your power of one. Call or write our elected officials and ask them to endorse HR763.

—Angie Winter, Kila

Area code 406

It is good news that there will soon be a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline using 988, starting July 16, 2022. Hopefully, this will save lives.

As people in the Dillon area have a 988 prefix, the proposed fix is to have it mandatory that the 406 area code be used by everyone for all Montana calls, local and long distance. It seems to me that it would be a lot less trouble to assign a new prefix for the Dillon area instead on inconveniencing ALL Montanans.

—Joel Vignere, Lakeside

Is bigger really better?

Being a 20-plue year resident of the Flathead Valley I was quite surprised to read that the hospital was changing their name to Logan Health to better align who they serve.

Being employed by KRMC for several years, I was constantly told that everything the hospital did was to ensure that KRMC stay primo here; to do so meant keeping Providence and other big hospital institutions out of the valley. By successfully keeping those entities out, haven’t they themselves become what they didn’t want: a big healthcare structure based on profits rather than focused care for the residents of this valley?

I understand CMS has been pushing ACOs and quality care initiatives with KRMC striving to become the leader for this state. But bigger is not always better nor does it equate to quality. For example, mandated utilization of electronic information while providing better access has seemed to hinder care the doctors provide by subjugating them to increased clerical duties. Documentation for the purpose of improved quality seems like a paradox when doctors have less face time with their patients; less time interacting with patients while spending more time on clicking boxes to provide canned language which may or may not really be reflective of the patient’s complete health picture, all for the convenience of getting the most reimbursement possible from insurers.

I remember when KRMC’s primary focus was patients in this valley but by broadening their focus to regional patients, is bigger really better? Will rebranding improve the care that patients receive here in Kalispell? And what about those marketing dollars spent to create this new image? Would that money have been better spent on equipment, education, and/or wages? Will staff be happier; will patients be healthier; will our community health improve because our name is now Logan Health?

—Karen Larson, Whitefish

Stick to the facts

Susan Taylor publicly asked "what do you think" about those who are disappointed in the Republican Party starting a new MAGA party? As a longtime Democrat, my opinion is likely unwanted and possibly suspect. Nevertheless, I say do it!

When Hillary Clinton won the 2016 election by just under 3 million votes, I was outraged that the will of the people was not recognized, that in a manner of speaking the election was "stolen" by an archaic remnant of our founding fathers' compromise. However, as there was no evidence of fraudulent voting, the only thing to do was to recognize Trump's election victory and go to work to return the presidency to the Democrats and democratic principles - and perhaps do away with the electoral college.

Nothing is more needed now than face-to-face communication and conversation (once that is safe to do without social distancing and masking). And especially, listening. I welcome a clearly articulated argument for the causes that Susan outlines, one that is undiluted by Republican's sway over such discussions, such as immigration, trade deficits, the Second Amendment and preserving liberty.

My only concern about any party, a new MAGA one, or even the Grand Old one, is that debates and policies must be based upon facts. As any good debater, house contractor, or doctor knows, in order to win an election, build a house, or cure an illness, one needs a sound argument, a solidly engineered foundation, and science. That's the danger of building a MAGA party upon Taylor's false premise of a "stolen election," about which "we still don't know the outcome;" it just isn't true.

—Roger Hopkins, Columbia Falls

Public lands

If you live in Montana because of the plethora of recreational opportunities we enjoy, remember that they are available because of public (OUR) lands. Pay close attention this legislative session as there is a group of legislators and executive office holders who want nothing more than to erode those opportunities by making it more difficult for state agencies to increase or improve access via easements and or purchases. This is the same group who at one time or another has subtly advocated the eventual privatization of our lands. Pay attention and become and active voice.

—Bill McChesney, Stevensville