Interim work, Ukraine and seeking re-election

Interim committees meet between sessions. If you are new to Montana, we are a hold back from several decades ago, meeting as a full assembly every other year. For better or worse, we’ve stuck to this process along with four other states. I am on the Local Government, and the Transportation, interim committees along with an assignment to the Upper Columbia Basin Commission (UC3), which oversees the efforts to prevent and or eradicate invasive species in our lakes and rivers. The UC3 is a real success, especially in a polarized society where new programs and fees to fund them, are not so common. Montana has taken a very proactive stance by developing the infrastructure inclusive of mandatory check stations, de-contaminating stations, statutory support to fine offenders and top-level department supervision to assure statewide coverage and accountability. As a headwaters state, the preservation of our native aquatic species and protecting the economic impact both to fisheries and hydroelectric turbines are imperative.

Transportation issues are a significant challenge in the Flathead and Whitefish area. I am a member of the Whitefish Transportation Planning Committee, updating the plan to guide priorities and expenditures for motorized vehicular and non-motorized use of our roads, mixed-use bike and pedestrian ways and sidewalks. At the state level, the Transportation Committee is planning for the electrification of vehicles including and the development of an equitable fee structure to backfill shortages in revenue from the state gas tax. We are also investigating ways charging stations will adequately cover the state’s geography and consumer needs. There are all many shortfalls in our Whitefish area transportation grid under state supervision. These include Wisconsin and East Lakeshore, Spokane Ave., The south corridor from Highway 40 and the widening of Highway 93 west of town. Right-of-way acquisition, reaching community consensus, and the cost of a project and available funds are challenging barriers to transportation infrastructure improvements.

Within Local Government, the committee continues to stay attuned to affordable housing issues and opportunities to address the shortage of housing stock. A subcommittee to which I am a member of, is modernizing title 76, looking at growth policies, subdivision review and zoning. I’ll be considering legislation to develop a state housing tax credit as a companion to the federal tax credit program, responsible for the recently completed Alpenglow Apartments on Edgewood Avenue. Governor Gianforte vetoed the bill last year and I hope by addressing a key financing part of the veto letter, we can get a similar bill to the finish line. I will also look to reauthorize loan dollars for the construction and rehab of such housing through dollars from the Coal Trust Fund.

I stand with the Ukrainian people and the civilized world in expressing outrage and contempt at the actions of President Putin. Hopefully, the fight and resolve of the Ukrainian military, a fully armed citizenry and a unified EU along with free nations of the world, will apply economic hardships that will continue in the devaluation of the ruble, the free fall of the Russian stock exchange and crippling hardships to their oligarchy. Such results might be sober reminders to Putin that a negotiated settlement might prevent a prolonged insurgence with the death of young Russian soldiers and a destroyed economy.

I will be seeking my fourth and final term in the Montana House representing HD5. Term limits establish maximum stays in the legislature at eight years per Senate and House. With a continuous turnover of the legislature, institutional knowledge and my willingness to collaborate with the Republican majority will serve Whitefish well. The Montana legislature is great beyond the annoyances of being homesick, political disagreements or long-winded diatribes. I look forward to serving a final term and continue my fight for good jobs, fair taxation, a clean environment and access to health care for all Montanans.

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