Fern and Powers field questions at Whitefish town hall

Whitefish legislators Sen. Dave Fern and Rep. Debo Powers answered questions over their legislative break at a town hall hosted by Flathead Democrats at the Whitefish Community Center last week.  

At the halfway point, both Powers and Fern reflected positively on bipartisan work that has been accomplished in the Legislature thus far. 

“We are fortunate to have the governor support Medicaid,” Fern said. “We have developed a partnership on the second floor. When you have that, you can do good things.”  

Powers said having a wide range of expertise has contributed to collaborations this session. 

“We have teachers, firefighters, doctors, veterans, lawyers, people who have served in city and tribal councils... all who can speak to their own experience,” Powers said.  

About half of the Democratic caucus are freshman, bringing “energy and enthusiasm,” Powers said.  

The beginning of the session’s sausage-making was particularly memorable for the freshman, Powers said. The sausage-making occurred in January as an introductory bonding of sorts, complete with lawmakers getting gritty with plastic gloves and meat grinders.  

“We got together and said this is how the sausage is made,” Powers said, as a metaphor for the session to come.  

A RECENT success for Fern was passing Senate Bill 405 through a committee hearing after a surprisingly brief 10 minutes of discussion. The bill looks to put $50 million toward the already established Housing Montana Fund.  

“It is a flexible fund that has been underutilized and underfunded since its inception in 1999,” Fern said. “It will do well with bridge and gap loans to put deals together for middle class multi-family housing.”  

Powers, who serves on the Appropriations Committee, broke down three property tax bills passed by the House. Republican Rep. Llew Jones sponsored HB 231, and Democrats sponsored HB 154 and HB 155.  

House Bill 231, supported by Gov. Greg Gianforte, and HB 155 have a similar aim to reduce property taxes on primary residents and landlords by raising them on second homeowners and short-term rentals. House Bill 154 aims to create an income tax credit for low to middle income Montanans. 

“The Democrats said we would not pass the governor’s tax bill until we looked at the other two,” Powers said. “So [Republicans] began to make amendments to the governor’s bill. It’s not perfect, but it’s much better.”  

Powers said legislators struck deals to pass all three bills out of the House to be considered by the Senate. Powers voted yes on all three bills.  

Fern said one of his 13 sponsored bills focuses on assisting the middle class with tax credits. 

Another key bill introduced by Fern would expand how communities like Whitefish can spend resort taxes by increasing population caps and allowing an additional 1% to go toward workforce housing.   

Fern also discussed the state’s budget and how an increase reserves.  

“We ran out of money in 2017,” he said. “And now we see on the national level what happens when you make minor cuts across the board, in that you inadvertently destroy systems." 

Powers argued that the governor’s income tax plan would give a break to the wealthiest residents. 

 “If that was to pass, our expenditures will outpace revenue by $56 million. And by 2029, by $207 million,” she assessed.  

Fern responded that he was hearing “on the sidelines” that there are some Republicans who will not support Gianforte’s income tax plan.  

As for the budget in general, “We’re continuing to do our work as though about 43% from the federal government is going to keep coming in. And if it doesn’t, it will crash,” Powers commented.  

An audience member questioned what would happen if the federal Department of Education is cut. 

“It would fall on OPI [Office of Public Instruction] to figure that out,” Fern replied. 

Education highlights include the House passing the STARS Act, HB 252, which will help with statewide teacher recruitment and retention by expanding the number of newer teachers who will qualify for higher pay.  

Fern received criticism from the audience on supporting SB 525, allowing chaplains to be school counselors.  

“I reflected on 24 years on the school board in Whitefish, and how early on we used resource officers,” Fern said. “Resource officers were not substituting anything, but supplementing.” 

Powers said that education bills focused on early math proficiency and a mental health pilot program will take a lot of work to pass through Appropriations.  

Powers said killing HB 320, funds for private education, was a win for her.  

“I received hundreds of emails about it,” Powers said.  

Powers said one of her sponsored bills, HB 509, which aims to improve college loan assistance program for beginning teachers, has passed out of the House.  

“We already have a program that prioritizes funding for beginning teachers in rural and impacted schools,” Powers said. “But that money is never spent. So, this amends it so that other beginning teachers in all places can apply.”  

The most powerful way to contact your representatives is to show up in person, the legislators said. 

“The best way to have your voice heard is to testify on a bill during a hearing. It is the most effective way to make a statement,” Powers said. “If you can’t drive to Helena, you can do it online. They’ll give you two or three minutes to hear what you have to say.”  

When sending emails, Fern said he prioritizes personal emails from his district.  

“Don’t copy paste emails from an organization. It doesn’t feel sincere,” Fern said.  

Powers recommends keeping emails as brief and direct as possible.  

“We deal with hundreds of emails and hundreds of bills,” Powers said. “Write support or oppose and insert the bill number in the subject line and tell me in a couple of sentences why it’s important to you.”

    Senator Dave Fern greets constituents after a town hall at the Whitefish Community Center on March 10. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Sen. Dave Fern and Rep. Debo Powers answer questions from community members at a town hall held at the Whitefish Community Center over the legislative break on March 10. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Whitefish Community Center was packed as people flocked to listen to their representatives as well as enjoy a soup potluck. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)