During Transmittal Break, State Senator Dave Fern and State Representative Debo Powers held a Town Hall meeting at the Whitefish Community Center to discuss how the legislative session is going.  The standing-room only crowd asked questions and showed their support for the work being done in Helena.

The Montana Legislature takes a break in the middle of the legislative session called Transmittal Break.  At this point in the session, bills must be transmitted to the other house for them to get passed by the end of the session.  This break is very necessary for legislators because they have been working 12 hour days and are exhausted.

For the only time during the session, Rep Powers had time to drive home from Helena and enjoy skiing in the beautiful North Fork of the Flathead where she lives.

Governor Tim Walz was the inspiring keynote speaker at the annual Mansfield-Metcalf Dinner.  This gathering of Montana Democratic leaders who are dedicated to making Montana a better place is always energizing and inspiring.

Rep Powers’ fourth bill, HB 660, had a hearing in the House Natural Resources Committee.  The bill requires the Department of Environmental Quality to develop a plan for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Rep Powers hand-delivered a letter to the Governor’s Office expressing concern over the firings of federal employees in her district and its effect on Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest.  Not only are these agencies hindered from managing our public lands, but many federal workers in House District 3 are losing their jobs illegally.  Letters from Rep Powers were also sent to members of the Montana Congressional delegation.

These firings are just the first step in weakening our public land agencies which will eventually lead to the transfer of public lands to corporations and billionaires.  Rep Powers will never be silent when it comes to protecting our public lands and keeping them in public hands.

Thousands of people who traveled from all over Montana converged on the Capitol today to show their support for Public Lands.  Public land is the cornerstone of our Montana heritage and culture.  These lands, which belong to all of us, provide places to hunt, fish, hike, view wildlife, and find solitude.  Threats to our public lands have never been greater.

In an address to a joint session of the Montana House and Senate, newly elected Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Cory Swanson spoke out strongly against partisan elections for judges.  He clearly stated that judges should be independent.

This week, the Republican majority in the House passed 4 bills that will tip the scales of justice to benefit large corporations against average citizens who have been harmed by them.

Today, Rep Powers submitted her third bill, HB 509.  This bill will improve the College Loan Forgiveness Program for beginning teachers…..one more tool to keep new teachers in Montana.

Valentine’s Day love for the Constitution!  Today, there was a rally in the Capitol in support of the Montana Constitution and all of the rights that it guarantees the citizens.  We have the best state constitution in the country which spells out more rights than the U.S. Constitution!