Christmas and legislative session almost here

It’s already December. Yes, Christmas and the legislative session are coming. In gearing up for Christmas (all holidays, really), Judy does the heavy lifting. This year, the legislative session is my undertaking. Since being elected, many of you have approached me with questions regarding our state and concerns about what will be addressed during the next four months of session. It’s also heartwarming to field questions about what I will be up to while in Helena. Do you have a place to live? Is Judy going with you this session? Is Medicaid expansion going to pass? What is going on with animal trapping? Can Cosltrip and mining be made whole? Clean water? How long are we going to have boat inspections for mussels? I’ll try to answer some of the questions that come up most often.

As legislators, we are already beginning to deal with issues even though session does not start until the Jan. 7. This year, I’ll be renting the same place from longtime friends of ours, who will be away for the winter. Judy will be joining me, but not full-time as she’s involved with many activities going on at home. Medicaid expansion will be worked on and tweaked to include, at the very least, a sunset. Trapping and water laws are well regulated now. Colstrip 1 and 2 are scheduled to close in the year 2020.

Can that be changed? I cannot answer that yet, but it will certainly be addressed during session. As for zebra mussels, this will be an ongoing issue. Tiber will continue inspections and will need to show no detection of mussels for two more years before Fish, Wildlife and Parks will re-evaluate the need to continue or discontinue inspections. I can honestly say I do not have all the answers, but I plan to represent Senate District 14 to the best of my ability.

I had the opportunity to take in Liberty County’s Wheat Country Estates family holiday dinner. The residents and families had a great meal served by volunteers and a local 4-H club. During dessert, Santa bounded in with candy, and pictures were taken with all the residents. It was a fun day. Thanks to everyone that helped make a special day for residents. Merry Christmas!

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State Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, can be reached at [email protected]/.