Signing tax bill was big disappointment for Martz

HELENA - Gov. Judy Martz was in Billings shortly after the 2003 Legislature had adjourned, and a woman shouted at her.

''We're mad at you, governor, because you raised the taxes on our cigarettes,'' Martz recalled being admonished.

''Talk to your legislator,'' the governor responded.

Despite the retort, the fact she was compelled to sign the tax increase remains one of the biggest disappointments of the Legislature for Martz.

The Republican also counts the failure of a bill outlawing open containers of alcohol in all vehicles and lawmakers' refusal to tap the coal tax trust fund to help bal...