Letters to the editor Feb. 9
Take a long view
I recently read in the Inter Lake that our governor is proposing a major reduction in the income tax rate for wealthy taxpayers like he and myself. Due to our graduated income tax, the majority of income taxpayers would receive little or no benefit from this move.
I have also read in the newspaper about the financial problems of the Kalispell School District, which has not had a high school levy approved in years. This is a statewide problem. Many school districts in towns like Missoula, Helena, Billings and Butte are laying off teachers, raising class size and cutting services like mental health.
The state, the governor and our legislators from the Flathead should care about funding public education adequately, as the constitution says the state should, instead of enacting a tax rate cut for the wealthy. They should increase the per pupil support paid by the state to our school districts. This per pupil support has not kept up with inflation. It needs to be raised using the money the governor wants to use for income tax cuts for the wealthiest Montanans.
The state could also lower local property taxes by providing more financial support for education from the general fund and reducing the amount provided by local property taxes.
The Legislature is also talking about raising the starting pay for teachers across Montana. This will help in the short run by bringing more teachers. However, as teacher pay increases with longevity and experience, the school districts will have to find more money to pay them. Teacher salaries, like the salaries of firemen, policemen and sheriff’s deputies all need to be increased.
The Legislature needs to take a longer view of these issues, and definitely should not cut the tax rate for the wealthiest Montanans.
— Scott Wheeler, Kalispell
Power of the purse
The first weeks of the new administration have seen the president send his unelected billionaire to close agencies and cut off funding approved by Congress. The blocked funding includes hundreds of millions for broadband improvements across Montana, and millions in USDA payments for our agriculture producers.
These funds and agencies were duly approved by our elected representatives, in our national Congress. This is the “power of the purse.” The Founders authorized Congress alone to have this authority and duty, not the president.
In 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the Clinton administration and struck down the line item veto. The court stated the president lacks the power to change or repeal laws, or parts of laws, without Congress’ consent. The court protected each of us, and all of us, from losing our three independent branches, our checks and balances. In short, the court defended “we, the people” against a slide into monarchy or tyranny, by following the Constitution’s clear words that keep control of public money in Congress’ hands.
Who is defending Congress’ power of the purse right now, today? Not Montana’s two senators or two members of Congress. All four have sat silently while their core responsibility has been stolen from them. They seem to be OK with handing over our constitutional power to an unelected billionaire.
How can Sens. Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, and Reps. Troy Downing and Ryan Zinke make no defense of these funds for Montanans? Our strongest industry is agriculture. Our hospitals, schools, businesses, towns and families deserve reliable broadband in every corner of the state.
Why don’t these four defend the People’s House of Representatives and the Constitution’s separation of powers against this blatant assault?
Daines and Sheehy, Downing and Zinke: You hold the public trust and swear an oath to defend our Constitution. You are paid and privileged to do so. Either summon the courage to defend us against this lawless power grab, or resign and explain what “higher goal” has overcome your oath to our Constitution.
— Elizabeth Halverson, Billings