Political Director's Posts for 2/2009

Politically Correct

2/20/2009 6:07:42 PM

Today's post will be short and sweet because if I go into my diatribe, Norb's may have to edit my post.

I had a post a couple of nights ago that I wanted to review the next morning, but unfortunately one of our team used my computer and it went away. So tonight you get the abbreviated version and this weekend after I settle down I will give you the full Monty.

Yesterday, we knocked one out of the park! HB 408 had been tabled in House Business and Labor and due to hard work on all our members part, and after 3 votes it is now on its way to the House floor. More on that this weekend.

Today, not so good! We won one and lost won in Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs. SB 372 is tabled and can not be revived, BUT SB 373 is alive and will be going to the Senate Floor next week. We will be very busy, and will be asking for your help. More to follow.

Want to take a minute to thank all the team that has been here this session to assist on your behalf. Kurt "Amber""Fiona" Bushnell, Rick "Louisville Slugger" Ryan, Matt "Pocket Protector" Norb's, Jack "Excuse me why I go have a fag" Trethewey, Joe " Family Guy" Sands, Chass "Cement Head" Perkins, Ed(gar) " Going to Beaver Creek" Cleary, Chad "Jonas" Nicholson, Tony " the OPPONENT" Cates, and Jason " The SPORTSTER" Baker, these guys have been great and I couldn't do it with out them. Next week it's my understanding that Dan " The Imposter" Cottrell will be up as well.

Going to close for the time being, thanks to all of you back home who are covering shifts for the team, and protecting our communities.

Check back soon for updates, and we will be calling you before you call us, it is CRUNCH TIME.

Respectfully,

Doug

Friday Update

2/13/2009 11:54:52 AM

Brothers and Sisters, just wanted to keep you up to date on some of happenings in Helena this week. On Tuesday, I testified on the Right to Work bill there were six proponents and 25 Opponents. The committee acted quickly and TABLED this BAD BILL the same day 7 to 5, with Sen. Roy Brown and Sen. Don Steinbesser voting with the Democrats to table.

Yesterday we had SB 373 in Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs, this bill pitted Fire Fighters against Fire Fighters which is always uncomfortable in front of committee. Kurt, myself, Rick, Matt, Chass, Jason and MPERA testifed in OPPOSITION to this bill. We had a good hearing with good questions from the committee, and at this time feel comfortable.

Today, we testified on our Presumptive Bill, the sponsor did an outstanding job, as diid Joe Sands, Matt Norby, Chass Perkins and Chad Nicholson. We were opposed by the State Fund and insurance companies and MMIA. Don Judge, also did a good job testifying on our behalf.

As always, if you have any questions, give us a call!

Stay Safe, Doug

Times they are a changing!

2/10/2009 4:02:39 PM

Brothers and Sisters, it has only been 4 days since my last post so I am trying to make a effort to keep you better informed. This morning in the Old Supreme Chambers we were there for the Right to Work bill. SB 339, Senator Greg Hinkle (R) Thompson Falls. It was a good hearing in front of a packed room there were 6 proponents and 25 opponents. There were good questions of both sides. With the makeup of the committee it is likely to make it out of committee to the Senate Floor, where it will get another day in court, then hopefully be killed. We will keep you informed. There was suppose to be another anti-labor bill today, HB 421, Clean Government Act, Scott Mendenhall (R) Clancy, heard today but it was pulled yesterday and re-scheduled for Feb. 17th.

This Thursday we have SB 373, long title BAD BILL, in Rm 422 at 9 am. I was going to go into depth about it but Norby just informed me he needs to shut down the computer system for a short while, so I need to close for now.

Change of Hearing Date HB 408

2/6/2009 5:03:15 PM

HB 408 will not be Feb. 16th. It is Feb.13th in House Business and Labor which normally meets at 8am. We will keep you updated!

OM#G

2/5/2009 7:34:29 PM

Just posted my previous blog and seen that our El Presidente actually posted his first entry, and imagine, Ryno said it couldn't be done! Congrats Kurt, take the rest of the night off you must be mentally exhausted!

Let the Games Begin!

2/5/2009 7:27:14 PM

Brothers and Sisters, today two new bills were introduced, please take a look at them and share your thoughts with us. Please keep your thoughts positive as we are sensitive, delicate people here in Helena. SB 372, SB 373, Senator Gary Perry from Manhattan is the sponsor of both of these bills. Those of you who actually follow what we do here in Helena may remember SB 352 ferom last session, Exempt 3rd Class Cities from FF Age Restriction. We were opposed to that bad legislation, and fortunately it died on Third Reading on the Senate Floor. It will be tougher this session and they will be more organized, so we will have our work cut out for us, and will probably be asking for your help. take a look at the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee members and see if you have any members from your area that you may be able to help us with.

Rick Ryan, was in town today to do our monthly COPP filing report, so I thought i'd report to you the bills that we worked on:

Support: HB 31, 32, 33, 34, 84, 85, 93, 109, 118, 119, 293 and 408

Support: SB 57, 58, 74, 99, 138, 143, 205, 220 and 352

Oppose: HB 148, 256

Oppose: SB 79, 295, 339, 372, 373, 371

That's just a partial listof bills that we either worked and/or testified on, and there are plenty more that we are tracking, if you have any questions about any of the above bills, or any others for that matter, please contact us.

Next Tuesday at 8 and 9 am, we have two anti-labor bills that are up, HB 421 Clean Government Act, and SB 339, Right to Work (for less). labor will be at the Capital in force and ultimately these two bills will die, and then they will rear their ugly head again next session. Please feel free to contact your local Representative's and Senators and tell them not to support this bad legislation. LC 2016, Workers Freedom Act, is still out there and may or may not be introduced.

Today was the 27th Legislative Day, which means only 63 more days to go, unfortunately it will take until April 25th to get it done. Kurt Bushnell, Matt Norby, Chass Perkins, Jack Trethewey and Joe Sands have been here this session which helps me maintain some level of sanity, or maybe drives me insane, the jury is still out on that. Truly, having their assistance has made this session more tolerable, and having additional help here has allowed to go home and ride the BRT for one night shift a week.

Please contact us and let us know if you are reading these posts and what you think! We have been told at convention after convention that we need to do a better job of communicating, so we are trying, but we need to know that people are looking at them. If you are a local officer please send out a e-mail to your members and let them know to check the website daily (ok weekly)for updates of whats happening in Helena.

It's 7:30, so i'm signing off and going to have a beer (maybe two)!

Stay safe,

Doug Neil

Feb. 16 hearing for Presumptive Legislation

2/4/2009 4:00:50 PM

Our hearing for our Presumptive Legislation HB 408 is Feb. 16, 2009 in House Human Services at 3 pm in Room 152. Please plan on loading a crew cab pickup with FF's and coming to help us out that day. Please talk to your members and come up with some examples of members of your department that this legislation would have helped in the past. If would be helpful if you e-mail your stories to us prior to the hearing so we can stratigize our testimony. Would also be helpful if you could talk to your retirees and or their spouses and see if they have any input or horror stories.

Watch for updates, and please share this with your members through your e-mail lists. Visit the Legislative website and check out the committee members, we could use some help with the Republicans on the committee. Let us know if you have any connections with them.

Be safe out there!

Fraternally, Doug Neil

Political Director

Montana State Firemen's Association