Protecting Montana’s Heritage Requires Getting Beyond Bitter, Divisive Politics
by: Rep. Kendall Van Dyk
They say perspective is everything.
When I was elected to the state legislature last fall, I became one of its youngest members. I’ll admit it: I’m not an experienced, seasoned politician like some of the folks you find in Helena. I ran for the legislature for two reasons:
First, like my neighbors, I was sick and tired of the bitter and divisive politics of the past.
Second, I love Montana. I want Montana to continue to be the best place on earth to live, work, recreate, and raise a family.
As a novice lawmaker, I held out high hopes that if enough new folks got elected, the legislature could do both these things. But at the mid-point of my first legislative session, I do know this much: bitter and divisive politics are preventing Montanans from protecting our outdoor heritage and our unique quality of life.
There have been bright spots: I’m extremely proud to have worked with the House Republican Leader to expand the Governor’s “square deal” tax rebate to include the hundreds of thousands of Montanans who rent, rather than own, their own home. Without a meeting of the minds across the aisle in the closely divided House, the tax relief coming from the 60th Legislature would be much less.
But, make no mistake, on many of the most important issues facing Montana, partisan gridlock has brought efforts to move our state forward to a grinding halt.
Like all of us, I want my future children and grandchildren to have all the opportunities in Montana that I have had. However, it is likely that I will be the last Van Dyk to have seen the glaciers of Glacier National Park. For someone who was born here, raised here, and intends to spend the rest of his life here, that is a difficult pill to swallow.
In decades ahead, reduced snow pack, warmer winters and hotter summers will negatively impact every Montanan who hunts, fishes, boats, hikes, farms, or ranches. In Helena, the consensus is that global warming is happening at an unprecedented rate, and that pollution from human activity is the cause.
So why then, does the legislature seem to lack the will to do something about it? Why have common-sense measures that promote energy efficiency, more good-paying jobs, and cleaner air been tabled time and again? The answer is simple: plain, old bitter politics.
It’s the type of politics that says that if you have an R or a D behind your name, everyone else with the other letter behind their name ought to vote against your bill. It’s the type of politics that says if the bill came from the Democrat-controlled Senate, it should die in the House, or if the bill came from the Republican-controlled House, the Senate should kill it.
To really move Montana forward, we need courage and vision to put aside our petty partisan squabbles and do what’s right. That’s why the Senate should pass bills providing for widespread use of clean, renewable biodiesel being sponsored by Republicans. And, that’s why the House should revive good bills ensuring more energy efficient state buildings and cars that were sponsored by Democrats.
Montana has too much at stake not to act: river flows in our world-renowned trout fisheries are declining; water shortages in high growth areas are putting family farming and ranching at risk. The things that keep Montanans in-state and bring tourists and new business here are at risk. Our kids and grandkids may never get to experience Montana we have — the one and only Last, Best Place.
I’m ready to support my colleagues across the isle with a yes vote. Are they?
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2 Responses to “Protecting Montana’s Heritage Requires Getting Beyond Bitter, Divisive Politics”
March 12th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
This is an important issue right now in Montana. It really seems to me that their ought to be some steps taken to keep the ratio’s equal to the balance of the house.
That is to say, if one party controls 51% of the house, they ought to only control 51% of the committees, or at least only make up 51% of them members on any given committee. The breakdown in the house right now is greatly bent towards the Republicans, with a large number of the committees made up of a ratio that does not reflect the percentages that the voters had in mind when they evenly split the house.
With that said, it also seems to me that it is clear that the Democrats in the house have attempted to reach across the aisle and relay less mean spirited politics to come up with the most workable solutions for Montana. I don’t get that from the other side. Of course, I am partisan.
March 12th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Oops, several typos:
“their ought to be some steps taken”
should be
“there ought to be some steps taken”
“or at least only make up 51% of them members on any given committee”
should be
“or at least only make up 51% of the members on any given committee”