MATT GOURAS Associated Press Writer
HELENA It could take a while to sort out winners and losers from the divisive politics that took hold of this legislative session amid a $1 billion projected surplus. Gov. Brian Schweitzer got much of what he wanted but it came with a cost. Republicans more effectively tagged him with a “bully” label and it seems to be sticking. For the GOP, it’s hard to imagine how things could have gone much worse politically. Not only did they appear to lose their fight over taxes and spending, they closed the session by publicly dethroning their House majority leader. Both sides should have had plenty of reasons to celebrate. College tuition will not be going up for the first time in years after the Legislature passed Schweitzer’s two-year freeze on tuition rates. Homeowners will be getting a $400 rebate, and the controversial water tax on owners of water rights was eliminated. The list goes on including new money to purchase more fishing access sites, optional all-day kindergarten and expansion of health insurance for children. Schweitzer’s “Square Deal” package of initiatives largely passed unscathed. He also got much of his “clean and green” tax incentives for the energy industry. But despite more than enough pocketbook legislation to spread credit and kudos around, this Legislature will probably be remembered more for its cantankerous politics. A lot of legislation was killed in the divisive atmosphere, such as plans to reduce the business equipment tax. The permanent property tax relief a main priority for the GOP also was shot down. The governor said he’s mostly pleased with the work finished by the Legislature, despite its failure to reduce the business equipment tax. “Even without (the business tax decrease), we lowered taxes for more Montanans than at any time in history,” Schweitzer said. But what about the “bully” label? Republicans have long complained the governor is better at browbeating lawmakers than reaching across the aisle. He wants to bury the Republicans, not work with them, they say. Their message got a big shot in the arm when Democratic Sen. Jesse Laslovich of Anaconda told colleagues during televised proceedings that “we’re intimidated by a bully.” Schweitzer dismissed the notion. The governor said he has never called lawmakers to his office to twist arms. Instead, they voluntarily come to him seeking assistance on legislation, the governor said. “What (critics) should do is provide the legislator that I ever tried to coerce into voting for or against something,” Schweitzer said. Republicans are just repeating the criticism long enough and loud enough “so people start to think it,” he said. The governor said his role model is President Theodore Roosevelt, who pioneered the “bully pulpit.” “If they are comparing me to the guy I think is the greatest president in the history of this country, then cool,” Schweitzer said. The session ended for Republicans with an obvious split in the House GOP caucus, when House Speaker Scott Sales helped oust second-in-command House Majority Leader Michael Lange. Lange was criticized for a profanitylaced attack against Schweitzer. But the GOP’s dominant conservatives appeared equally upset with his involvement in a group of moderate Republicans that started negotiating with the governor’s office. A “mutiny” it was called. Many in the caucus believe the moderates went behind Sales’ back. Now, supporters of Lange’s ouster say the party is in a position to rebuild with loyal Republicans. Rep. Roger Koopman, R-Bozeman, called the meeting an “unholy alliance” between “liberal Republicans and a liberal governor.” Some are promising that Lange won’t be the last casualty, saying they will recruit primary challengers to oust the dozen-or-so of their rank that met privately with the governor’s office. “I think it’s ultimately going to cause some major changes in the Republican Party in the next election,” Koopman said. “I don’t see the conservative mainstream in the Republican party lying down to that. I see it as having a long-term positive effect.” Next month the Montana Republican Party will hold a convention in Helena, where these issues could surface in some way. The GOP has yet to find a capable foil to seriously challenge Schweitzer, and a splintered majority in the House is not helping matters. “At the end of the day, the governor got everything he wanted and then some,” Koopman said. “The Republican party can’t be effective until it can hold together.” Sen. Corey Stapleton, R-Billings, who is term-limited, was not alone at the end of the session when he lamented the tone that took hold this year. “Unfortunately, it is going to take other people than us to say if there are any winners,” he said during a floor speech. “I suspect there are far more losers than winners.”
