A bummer of a Legislature
By The Helena IR - 04/29/07
The 2007 legislative session concluded with a whimper Friday with lawmakers throwing up their hands and slinking out of town, ending what surely will go down in history as the most politically ineffectual partisan logjam ever.
The session was a black eye to its members, embarrassing to Montanans, and a YouTube hoot to the rest of the country.
Way to go, guys.
What we had for 90 long days this year was a complete breakdown of politics as rules were twisted or broken in a vain attempt by the Republican House leadership to get what the voters had put out of reach: control of the session so they could pass their own agenda. When their opponents refused to roll over Friday morning, Speaker Scott Sales made like Teddy Roosevelt leading a charge up San Juan Hill: “I think Republicans understand this is a hill worth dying on,” he said.
No more war metaphors for a while, OK? Montanans know that politics is serious business, but it sure isn’t about San Juan Hill. It’s about civil debate, the art of compromise, and doing one’s level best for the people of the state. This session didn’t even come close to that standard.
The question now is this: What’s to stop this sort of thing from happening when legislators return for an absolutely necessary special session? Here’s a hint: New leadership.
The session was a black eye to its members, embarrassing to Montanans, and a YouTube hoot to the rest of the country.
Way to go, guys.
What we had for 90 long days this year was a complete breakdown of politics as rules were twisted or broken in a vain attempt by the Republican House leadership to get what the voters had put out of reach: control of the session so they could pass their own agenda. When their opponents refused to roll over Friday morning, Speaker Scott Sales made like Teddy Roosevelt leading a charge up San Juan Hill: “I think Republicans understand this is a hill worth dying on,” he said.
No more war metaphors for a while, OK? Montanans know that politics is serious business, but it sure isn’t about San Juan Hill. It’s about civil debate, the art of compromise, and doing one’s level best for the people of the state. This session didn’t even come close to that standard.
The question now is this: What’s to stop this sort of thing from happening when legislators return for an absolutely necessary special session? Here’s a hint: New leadership.
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Reader Comments:
LegAdv wrote on May 1, 2007 9:00 AM:
" Playing the 'blame game' won't bring us any closer to resolving the business before the upcoming special session. The Governor should immediately issue a proclamation, convening the special session at the earliest possible date. July 1 isn't that far off and the entire process for the budget and tax bills will be starting anew, with much debate, committee hearings, floor sessions and the likely conference committee hearings. Wasting time at this point will only serve to diminish the available time necessary to arrive at an acceptable compromise on these bills and increase the likelihood of precipitating a government shutdown after July 1. We need to bring the lawmakers back to the bargaining table NOW. The ball is in your court, Governor. "
attilla wrote on Apr 29, 2007 6:23 PM:
" Wow, the IR is just full of good ideas. You are correct ... we need new leadership that is willing to compromise. I'm just wondering how the IR thinks we are going to get a new governor before the special session begins. The republican leadership did an outstanding job of standing up to this bully we have for a governor, made several attempts at compromise, and all were to no avail. But, we can thank the republicans for preventing passage of a pork filled budget that was pushed by Scheister. "
CJ wrote on Apr 29, 2007 1:05 PM:
" It can only be hoped that those legislators who believe in this great state will find new leadership. If not this upcoming special session will only further embarrass those citizens who sent these yaw hoos to their legislative seats in the first place.
Let us all hope that their constituents will grab them by their ears and tell them to grow up so that they can complete the job.
"
Brian wrote on Apr 29, 2007 5:10 AM:
" The Democrats are just as guilty of ramrod politics, with very little compromise, or did you miss that? There is plenty of blame to go around, but to put the entire malfunction on the Republicans is completely unfair, and shows a distint politcal bias. So much for fair and balanced by this paper. "
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Edgegroove wrote on May 3, 2007 11:02 AM: