Nailing down nullification: GOP Reps plan strategy to win votes

HELENA — It started like almost any family dinner at a local bar and grill — everyone sort of rehashes their day before the waitress brings out their orders. The dad razzes one of the kids for something and pretty soon the whole table is trading jokes.

But it wasn't a family. It was eight Republican Montana state lawmakers who feel it is their duty to strengthen states' rights, and hope to do that in part by nullifying federal laws.

Rep. Krayton Kerns of Laurel poked at Whitefish Rep. Derek Skees for voting in favor of motion that day to move a tabled Democratic bill out of committee. T...