It's time for the Montana Senate to pick itself up, dust itself off

Friday, April 5, the Senate found itself mired in an angry dispute between the two parties.

The majority was seen to be railroading several pieces of legislation in a manner that disregarded proper rules of public notice and procedure.

The minority reacted by attempting a little-used parliamentary motion called "Call of the Senate." The situation deteriorated.

Greg Jergeson

As dean of the Montana Senate, an institution that I revere beyond measure, disappointment is the only word that can describe my feelings about the extraordinary events a week and a half ago. In our Legislature, there is a special obligation on the part of the Senate to keep its act together so that the session can complete its work on behalf of Montanans.

As the situation dissolved from a protest into tit-for-tat retaliation, I could only think "What would Joe Mazurek have done?" "What would Bob Brown have done?" I contemplated the enormous statesmanship always demonstrated by Democratic President Mazurek and Republican President Brown and the other titans of statesmanship who served as Senate President, and have no doubt that none of them would have let the situation deteriorate to the level that it did. Those great leaders were so because they were always in constant communication with and demonstrated respect for the membership of the entire body, regardless of party.

As the events unfolded, my anxiety grew about the likely finger-pointing that was sure to continue So I spoke out, and released a statement encouraging the Senate to get back to business. With only a week and a half left to conclude our work, we cannot waste it in rounds of bickering, accusations, and witch-hunting.

Despite the historic low we experienced, I know that the true measure of this legislative body will be in how it picks itself up, dusts itself off, and gets back to work.

I believe there are members of both parties who share my desire to do this — and I will commit myself toward setting an example to put partisan bickering aside on so we can get our work done.

As always, I'm interested in listening to your thoughts and ideas on the legislative process.

Your input ensures that citizens continue to run our democracy. Please email me online at http://leg.mt.gov/message/, call me at 406-444-4800, or write me at Montana State Senate, PO Box 200500, Helena, MT 59620.

Thanks for reading — until next time.

(State Sen. Greg Jergeson from Chinook represents SD 17, which includes Hill and Blaine counties. During his 31 years of service as a state senator and public service commissioner, Jergeson has served north-central and northeastern Montana, including Liberty, Hill, Chouteau, and Blaine counties. He'll be sending a weekly "Hello from Helena" update to keep the Hi-Line informed.)