Helena-area legislators have been talking about their solutions to some of the state's big-ticket issues, such as education funding, tax rebates, health care, state pension funding and energy development, since they filed for election.

Helenans are undoubtedly affected and interested in many of those issues, but several lawmakers last week discussed issues with a more direct impact on the greater Helena area.

The legislative menu for the upcoming session, which begins Wednesday, includes measures to regulate municipal annexations across county lines, address the proposed removal of the Mike Horse Dam, construct a new information technology facility in Helena and a backup installation in eastern Montana, and add a new classroom building at the state Law Enforcement Academy.

Annexation

Rep. Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena, said she will introduce a bill requiring a city annexing land across a county line to first obtain the county's consent, a process that would include public comment.

The issue is almost exclusive to Helena, as the city is the only one in the state within a few miles of the county line. City commissioners in the coming months will consider a request from a Montana City developer to annex land into Helena - a requirement for connecting to city services.

The issue has raised the ire of Jefferson County officials, who have filed a lawsuit in state District Court to prevent any such annexation. Helena officials say they're only responding to the developer's request, and both sides have agreed to form a working group, which aims to create a joint planning board.

"We want to make sure that everybody has a say in this, that we don't roll across a governmental entity or the people," Cohenour said. "I do understand what's going on in Helena also, and what the city's trying to do."

She's working with Rep. Scott Mendenhall, R-Clancy, and other legislators on the bill.

"That's a critical issue in northern Jefferson County," Mendenhall said. "It's not a small issue by any stretch, and I think the people that are impacted need to have a say."

Mike Horse Dam

Rep. Galen Hollenbaugh, D-Helena, wants to use Natural Resource Damage Program money to pay for the removal of the Mike Horse Dam on the Blackfoot River, which he said is estimated to cost $25 million.

The state fund plans to use the fund, which contains $230 million gained in a 1999 settlement with Atlantic Richfield Company, to remove the Milltown Dam. The program also funds grants for restoration projects.

Hollenbaugh said the situation at the Mike Horse Dam is similar to the problems associated with the Milltown Dam.

"It is the Milltown Dam without the concrete façade," he said.

The dam, originally built in the 1940s and rebuilt in 1975 with 2 million cubic yards of toxic mine tailings, may be eroding from within, according to the Clark Fork Coalition.

Sen. Dave Lewis, R-Helena, sits on the Clark Fork oversight committee. He also supports using money from the program to begin the cleanup sooner rather than later.

IT facility

Gov. Brian Schweitzer's 2007 budget includes a $24 million request to build a new Enterprise System Services Center near the Capitol to handle the state's primary computer, telecommunications and printing function in a secure facility. The request includes money to build a redundant facility in eastern Montana to provide backup.

Sen. Christine Kaufmann, D-Helena, said she will support the proposal.

"It seems that the security we have ... is really substandard," she said.

"I think all of these decisions about funding infrastructure need to be balanced against the needs of Montanans in education and social services," Kaufmann added.

Lewis also supports the new facility, but isn't sure the state needs to spend money on a new backup center. He questioned whether Montana's university system could be tapped to provide that service.

Academy

The state Law Enforcement Academy, located northeast of Helena, is asking legislators to allocated $3.75 million to build a new classroom facility at the more than 80-year-old campus, a former reform school for girls.

The new facility is needed to provide room for students and enable the academy to utilize new technology for education.

"Even though the state has been very generous, pouring money into the campus over the years, there's only so much you can do with old buildings," academy administrator Kevin Olson said.

Lewis and other legislators said they'll support the project.

Other issues

Area legislators' wish lists for the upcoming session are as varied as the people themselves.

Senate President Mike Cooney, D-Helena, serves as vice chair of the joint appropriations subcommittee on long-range planning, which he said will begin to address the $200 million issue of deferred maintenance on state buildings.

"It's not sexy, but we need to start making headway on those roofs and boilers and some of the problems we know are out there," Cooney said.

Cohenour said she supports Schweitzer's $25 million request to fund full-day kindergarten.

Mendenhall is interested in providing funds for the University of Montana-

Helena College of Technology.

One issue not likely to turn up this session is the possible relocation of the state Historical Society. Director Richard Sims said the society, which received $7.5 million in bonding authority last session, will meet with consultants this spring to iron out a plan for possible expansion or relocation.

Larry Kline can be reached at 447-4075 or larry.kline@helenair.com.