Legislators create unconstitutional bills
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Editor,
The 67th Montana Legislative Assembly has been over for six weeks and we continue to hear about the aftereffects of this session.
Our legislators took an oath to uphold and defend both the federal and state constitutions yet numerous bills enacted this session are clearly unconstitutional. Knowing that many of these bills would be challenged in courts, the legislature set aside $100,000 of our tax money to fight lawsuits. For example: HB 102, the campus carry bill. Article X of our state constitution gives full authority over the University System to the Board of Regents. The board and other groups have filed lawsuits against this law as unconstitutional. Funny thing, when the legislature passed this bill, they made a caveat that the University System would receive an extra $1 million if they don’t sue the state over it.
HB 176, the voter suppression bill, has eliminated same-day voter registration even though voters affirmed same-day registration in 2005 and reaffirmed same day registration in 2014. Our legislators blatantly ignored what the citizens of Montana had legally voted for.
HB 112, the save women’s sports act, prohibits transgender athletes from participating in sports. Article X of the constitution speaks to equality of education that is guaranteed to all. This bill goes directly against its intent. Our legislators created a caveat that the bill would be void if federal money under Title IX would be jeopardized, but our University System would still be at risk of losing $350 million in federal funding. Championship games might also be pulled from the state if the NCAA follows its policy of inclusion and protection of transgender athletes.
The GOP is not the same party that defended our constitution in the past. Remember the Copper Kings who ruled Montana? They are back, but now, they call themselves “the conservative Republican Party.”
Gerry Browning
Polson
