Political courage, friendships and legislative accomplishments

If you have only time for my first paragraph, pay attention. There were significant bi-partisan accomplishments despite a challenging budget and a bonding bill that fell short of the finish line. This 65th Montana Legislature addressed the following: A substantial commitment to the detection and prevention of invasive species in our water bodies, a modest but real pay raise for our state employees, a set of bills from the sentencing commission that adjusts penalties to modernize sentences and fines with the expectations of reducing some of the prison population (non-violent criminals) and establishing new pre-release procedures, a responsible medical marijuana statute that recognizes safety, testing and collections of fees and taxes, a tax credit for apprenticeships, a state earned income tax credit, the creation of a new tax classification for data centers, a bill of rights for foster children, a tax credit to assist the building of production facilities for pulse crops (lentils, chick peas and fava beans), and if the Governor Bullock is willing, some property tax relief for residents with disproportionally high property assessments.

I observed significant displays of political courage from both sides of the aisle. My definition of political courage being: “The willingness to sponsor a bill knowing that it will fail to garner support from the sponsor’s party.” For example, Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, a Democrat representing the Rocky Boy Reservation sponsored a charter school bill to address the drop-out rate within his district, Rep. Mike Cuff, a Republican from Eureka, carrying an $80 million bonding bill from the Senate or Kalispell Rep. Frank Garner, a Republican, sponsoring the fuel tax increase which gained enough support to make it to the governor’s desk.

These bills caused real angst from their respective parties, to the degree where politics trumped the sponsor’s rationale for sponsorship. I too faced an uphill climb as a sponsor of a statewide local option tax and a carrier in the house of property tax relief for people with modest homes on expensive property. This is where one develops a thick skin and hopefully a bit of character. It’s easy to follow the party line but our duty is to a higher authority, the good constituents of our districts and the long-term health of Montana.

Well, you’ve read that the 65th Montana Legislature had some accomplishments and that courage is necessary to really set one apart. The greatest result of such verbal jousting is the lifelong friendships I formed from both sides of the aisle. Each morning I walked to work I recited the following, “I won’t let politics get in the way of friendships.” Our last week was most challenging with fewer bills and more time to fall into a blame game as the higher-ups negotiated final tax bills including the failed bonding bill. The people of our Legislature have great character, work ethic, with a healthy dose of humor and occasional ego. Regardless, the friendships I’ve cultivated will be enduring as we fought our personal battles to what we believe is best for our constituency and state.

The rest of my term will hopefully consist of interim committee work to which I’ve applied for and communicating the actions of the Legislature to any audience willing to listen. I can’t think of any reason not to run again, so I’ll return to knocking on doors in a year’s time. Thank you, good residents of House District 5 for the opportunity to serve.

Democrat Dave Fern represents House District 5 in the Montana Legislature.