Wins and losses in legislative session

Folks,

It has been an honor to serve as your representative to the 65th Legislative Session of Montana.  Although this session will be over by the time you read this, I will be busy working for you throughout the interim on various committees and staying in touch with you to make sure that I have all of the information that I need to represent you in the 66th Legislative Session. Until then, I will leave you with a final report on this session.  

Outdoors and Wildlife

There were so many wonderful, and — let’s be honest — terrible outdoor and wildlife bills this session. I was proud to take a stance against Sen. Jennifer Fielder’s Senate Bill 236, which was an anti-public lands bill disguised as a “Constitutional right to hunt.” Once we amended out the anti-public lands language, the bill was killed by a radical faction of the Montana Legislature.  

Sen. Mark Blasdel of Kalispell brought one of my favorite bills this session. Senate Bill 218 allows people of 18 years and older to mentor youths in a hunting apprenticeship program. The program will make it easier for young people to hunt with an experienced mentor and enjoy our great outdoors.  

I would be remiss if I left out House Bill 295, by Rep. Tom Jacobson of Great Falls. HB 295 was a public access bill that would have increased the potential fine for blocking access to public land. HB 295, which died on a 48-51 vote, would have increased hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation in the state of Montana.   

Budget

The Montana Legislature failed to pass a budget that works for everyday Montanans. The budget left an $11 million hole in the Montana University System. Although we were originally looking at a $24 million shortfall, Montana’s universities and colleges will be forced to raise tuition on working families, cut programs, and lay off faculty. Montana State University-Northern is a pride of the Hi-Line that contributes so much to our local economy. As a result, I was a “no” vote on House Bill 2. I advocated tirelessly for public education and will continue to be a voice for you in Helena.

Infrastructure

We all know that our bridges, roads and buildings need major work.  I am proud of the work the Montana Legislature has done to make critical investments on infrastructure projects. I have made some tough votes this session. Perhaps the most difficult, but one of the most important, votes I made this session was on House Bill 473, which raised the gas tax by 4.5 cents and diesel by 1.5 cents.  

To put the matter in perspective, the gas tax has not been raised since before I was born. The tax has not risen with inflation, while our declining investments have led to failing infrastructure. I also want to highlight that the money from the gas tax will be earmarked specifically for highways, county roads and bridges, and will leverage federal funds totalling many times the amount we pay.  One of the top projects for the Highway Commission will be the disastrous U.S. Highway 2 between Havre and Chinook. My vote on HB 473 was about public safety and efficient commerce.

Negotiations on the bonding bills are going on as I write this letter. I pray that we will get a bonding bill through by the end of the session. A bonding bill will allow Montana to make some of the most critical investments in infrastructure at a low interest rate. Some potential projects include a veterans home, school and university infrastructure, water projects along the Hi-Line, and local government projects.

Although we have had many wins and a few losses this session, I am beyond honored to serve as your representative. I was born and raised in Havre and look forward to staying in Montana for the rest of my life. It is the people, the great outdoors, and the endless opportunities that keep me in Montana. I look forward to talking to you soon.  

Sincerely,

Jacob Bachmeier, Havre

Democrat, House District 28