Legislative Reports

As I reflect on my first week serving in the Montana State Senate, I am struck by the profound honor and responsibility of representing my constituents. On Monday, I had the privilege of attending the governor’s inauguration, an event that underscored the weight of our collective duty to serve the people of Montana.

Following that momentous occasion, I was officially sworn in during our first session, a moment filled with pride and gratitude for those who entrusted me with this role. However, alongside these milestones, my first week also brought a sobering lesson about the challenges of governance and the importance of transparency in our democratic processes.

My very first vote in the Senate chamber was cast on a rule change. A new committee was formed that hadn’t been done in over 50 years in the Senate and a number of conservative legislators were assigned to it. However, no significant work was assigned to this committee. These changes appeared to benefit a select few legislators at the expense of equitable representation across the Senate.

The majority of the Senate body blocked the unfair rules and adopted a temporary set of rules that we can run on going forward to get our work started. With all Republican senators now fully utilized, we have a strong conservative majority on the committees; equally important, the ability to fully represent our constituents and the state of Montana.

Our constituents deserve a government that operates openly and fairly, where decisions are made in the best interests of the state as a whole rather than a privileged few. When procedural rules are bent or broken, it erodes public confidence in our institutions and sets a dangerous precedent for future legislative sessions. Transparency is a cornerstone of this republic.

As a new legislator, I am committed to upholding the values of accountability and transparency. I believe that these principles are essential for building trust with the people we serve and ensuring that our work reflects the diverse needs of all Montanans.

Moving forward, I will work to hold myself and my colleagues to the highest standards of integrity. I encourage my fellow legislators to join me in prioritizing transparency and fairness in all that we do. You my constituents and the people of Montana deserve nothing less.