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September 29, 2006
Push Polling
You had to know with such a heated race that strange stuff was coming. Here are reports on push polling: Ed in Montana and Left in the West
If you have any reports of it around the Gallatin Valley, please email us and we'll record it with authorities. media@gallatindemocrats.com
Posted by admin at 01:30 PM | Comments (1)
September 28, 2006
Back Seher
I have known Lynea Seher as the owner of her own business, as a friend, and as a personnel consultant at my executive recruiting firm. During our association of the past 19 years, Lynea has demonstrated an ability to sort through complicated matters, with the goal of devising solutions agreeable to all parties involved.
In my business, consultants must merge the personnel needs of major corporations with the individual needs of highly skilled professionals. It is an often-arduous process of overcoming objections, crafting compromise and finally achieving consensus in which both parties feel they have made a good deal. These are exactly the skills required to handle the difficult issues facing Gallatin County in these times of rapid growth. For my own selfish interests, I would prefer to retain Lynea as a productive employee of my firm. However, in the interest of better government for Gallatin County, I urge you to support Lynea Seller, Democrat for Gallatin County Commission.
Kate Regan Ciari, president FPC of Bozeman Inc. Bozeman
Posted by admin at 06:46 AM | Comments (0)
County fortunate to have Seher running for commission
County fortunate to have Seher running for commission
County residents are fortunate to have an excellent candidate running for the Gallatin County Commission this year. Lynea Seher has lived in the Gallatin Valley for 30 years and demonstrates the leadership and dedication needed to serve us well as county commissioner.
Lynea Seher has successfully operated her own small business and has worked with companies across the U.S. as an expert in human resource recruitment and management. As the mother of two children, Lynea has time and again rolled up her sleeves as a volunteer for the Bozeman Public Schools and the Bridger Ski Foundation. Lynea Seher is an effective communicator who listens, cooperates and is committed to the core in making sure Gallatin County flourishes and remains the wonderful place it is to live, work and raise a family.
As the Gallatin Valley grows, it is critical to have a commissioner who understands the importance of fostering economic growth and development without sacrificing the unique assets that draw so many people here: our clean water and air, spectacular open lands and trails, our vibrant downtown communities, and charming, safe neighborhoods. It takes a thoughtful, experienced and forward-thinking commissioner to balance future growth with conserving what make Gallatin County a special place to live.
Luckily this year, we have a county commission candidate with these skills. Please join me in voting for Lynea Seher on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Alan McCormick
Manhattan
Posted by admin at 06:44 AM | Comments (0)
September 27, 2006
Montana Republicans raise homeowner taxes
(Helena, MT) – Today, Democrats will release a new report that reveals that under twelve years of Republican control of Montana's state government, homeowners' property tax bills soared more than 50% on average. Today's figures strongly contradict Montana Republicans' election-time claim that they were responsible for reducing property taxes.
WHAT: House Democratic Leader Dave Wanzenried, Public Service Commissioner Greg Jergeson, and Montana Democratic Party Chair Dennis McDonald
WHEN: 2:00 pm TODAY, Wednesday September 27, 2006
WHERE: Montana State Capitol Building, Helena, front steps
Posted by admin at 12:18 PM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2006
Gallatin Democrats approve Local Government Study Commission ballot measure
The Gallatin County Democrat Central Committee approved a resolution supporting the Local Government Study Commission ballot measure in this November's election. In it's monthly Central Committee meeting, Loren Olsen, Chair of the Local Government Study Commission presented the measure to the Committee for approval.
Jim Walseth, Chairman of the Gallatin Democrats said afterwords: "Gallatin County Democrats believe in fiscally responsible, good government. These measures will help ensure good local governance and will allow the City Commission to grow with the community. We learned that Bozeman is presently the only city in the state with self-governing powers but no charter. Bozeman can go from being behind this respect to being a leader -- for example, with the charter's provisions for ethics education and an ethics board. Resident should also welcome the requirement for a capitol improvements plan, updated annually.
Here's a link to the Local Government Study Commission
Posted by admin at 08:43 AM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2006
A letter from from Livingston: Bob Ebinger for State Representative
Bob Ebinger's website Or you can Contribute to Bob.
Hi,
The Bob Ebinger for State Representative campaign is doing a literature drop this Sunday, October 1, in Livingston. We can use some help to insure a great success and full coverage of the community.
What: Bob Ebinger literature drop
When: Sunday October 1 from 1PM to 3PM
Where: 212 South 6th Street in Livingston (for directions call Jeanne at 581-8942)
Why: Bob Ebinger is poised to unseat an incumbent Republican (Pat Wagman). Bob is running an excellent campaign, doing all the things one could ever expect from a candidate. Most of all, he is right on the issues for Livingston and Bozeman. University funding, K-12 funding, toxic and hazardous burning at cement kilns, habitat and access, conservation and renewable energy, carbon capture, health care/insurance, small business support, and on and on and on are reasons to help Bob Ebinger get elected. He has earned our support and we need him to win. He has a great chance of winning!
Additional reasons to attend: Jeanne prepares a great spread of food for our door hanging crowd. Great conversation. A Sunday afternoon beer after a brisk walk about beautiful Livingston. No door knocking - just literature dropping.
Hope to see you on Sunday,
Bob Raney
Posted by admin at 11:40 AM | Comments (0)
Meet Franke Wilmer
I'm Franke Wilmer, and I'm running for House District 64 in the state Legislature. I met many voters during the primary and look forward to meeting many more before Nov. 7.
The 2007 Legislature will address some very important issues - making college tuition affordable for Montana students and families, continuing work on defining quality K-12 public education and how to adequately fund it, expanding access to affordable health care, supporting small businesses, and developing clean alternative energy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. In 2005 Gov. Schweitzer and the Democrats made progress on many of these issues -without raising taxes - and with Democratic leadership in the House I believe this progress can continue.
If elected, three principles will guide my thinking in Helena. The first is fiscal responsibility. Democrats have a strong record of growing the economy without increasing taxes paid by middle-class Montanans. Fiscal responsibility means that when tax cuts are proposed, we must say whether they will shift the tax burden or require cutting programs, and when we propose new programs we must say how they will be funded. Past tax cuts, for example, led to higher college tuition as the state's share of funding was cut in half. That was not fiscally responsible.
The second is sustainable development. Growth has been good for Bozeman, but the decisions we make now to balance development with public concern for conservation and overall ecological impact are crucial. I believe in development that is both environmentally and economically sustainable.
The last is economic security for all Montanans. It is not enough for our economy to grow, even sustainably. Working people should be able to meet basic needs for food, housing and health care. How we grow, what kind of jobs and wages, and accessible, affordable health care matter.
I am ready to work on these issues with the governor and sensible legislators in both parties. I ask for your vote on Nov. 7 in HD 64, and together we will keep moving Montana forward.
Franke Wilmer, candidate HD 64
Bozeman
Posted by admin at 07:36 AM | Comments (0)
September 21, 2006
Governor Schweitzer's square deal: Parks and Recreation
(HELENA) – Governor Brian Schweitzer today announced he intends to propose legislation in the 2007 Session for state park acquisition, fishing access sites and a “Families Fish for Free” program. “It’s part of my square deal with Montanans,” said Governor Schweitzer. “Our hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation heritage is what makes us who we are in Montana – it is our way of life and it should be preserved for generations to come.”
The Governor’s proposals:
State Park Acquisition: The proposed program would identify and acquire new state parks in all regions of the state. “Many state parks get crowded at certain times of the year. We don’t need anything fancy, but we need places for families to camp and recreate without having to make reservations far in advance. With ever increasing land prices, now is the time to do this.”
Fishing Access Sites: The same urgency applies to fishing access sites. “Some floaters are waiting on the river for extended periods because some stretches are too crowded. Other stretches have great fishing, but they remain inaccessible. Many of these sites also offer excellent family recreational and camping opportunities.”
The Square Deal proposal would allocate $15 million for the acquisition of state parks and fishing access sites.
“I want families to celebrate the new state parks and fishing access sites,” said Governor Schweitzer. “I want grandma or grandpa to be able to take their grandkids to these new areas to fish. I want grandkids to have a first memory of fishing with their grandparents at a new state park.”
Families Fish for Free: Under this proposal, kids under 15 will fish for free, as will adults 62 and over. A conservation license will still be required, but will cost nothing for those Montanans who fit the “Fish for Free” category. There are about 18,000 Montanans who bought licenses last year that would qualify. The cost to fund the program would be about $140,000 per year. “Kids and grandparents make great fishing partners,” said Governor Schweitzer. “Let’s make sure this Montana tradition is carried from generation to generation.”
The Governor has already announced his proposal for rebating Montana homeowners $100 million of one time money or $400 per homeowner and for suspending the water tax (HB22). The Governor’s proposal would give all the money to homeowners not to big corporations.
The Schweitzer administration has not raised taxes and does not support raising taxes. Governor Schweitzer advanced legislation that eliminated the business equipment tax for 13,000 small businesses. Recently Montana was ranked number 9 in best tax code for business and 12th best in state and local tax burden by The Tax Foundation. The state has the third fastest growing economy.
Posted by admin at 01:15 PM | Comments (0)
John Sinrud tangles with bloggers
Looks like Rep Sinrud is a bit touchy with some bloggers. Check out
4 and 20 Blackbirds: Meet John Sinrud
I’ll let you ponder how Christ would have felt about clergy calling for violence against gays in his name.
Here's more information about Mr. Sinrud
Posted by admin at 07:23 AM | Comments (1)
September 20, 2006
Conrad Burns Wins! Most corrupt Senator in all of USA
CREW RELEASES SECOND ANNUAL MOST CORRUPT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS REPORT
CREW's Most Corrupt Members of Congress:
Members of the Senate:
Conrad Burns (R-MT)
Bill Frist (R-TN)
Rick Santorum (R-PA)
This encyclopedic report on corruption in the 109th Congress documents the egregious, unethical and possibly illegal activities of the most tainted members of Congress. CREW has compiled the members' transgressions and analyzed them in light of federal laws and congressional rules.
Posted by admin at 01:07 PM | Comments (0)
September 19, 2006
Dennis Rehberg on Yellowstone Public radio stream
Dennis Rehberg on Yellowstone Public Radio on MP3 or Windows media
Cece-in-MT (New MT blog very literate)
Tonight's interview with Dennis Rehberg on YPR.
No one fed me the question. I am working one full time job, two part time jobs, I blog, and I make the time to be available for live interviews, debates, and court hearings on this November's election. Perhaps you should take that to mean that I actually bother to be informed about the elections, and the power of the people of Montana's vote and my vote. Perhaps you should understand that I think it is important to point out to people what is wrong with what candidates claim to be the truth, instead of letting yet another lie slip by. Or perhaps you secretly appreciate our blogs, for pointing out the consistent holes in your stated priorities vs. your actions. (Personally, I know it is the latter.)
Posted by admin at 12:19 PM | Comments (0)
Senator Jon Tester takes lead in new poll
New Rasmussen poll: Montana Senate: Tester (D) 52%; Burns (R) 43%
Tester has added nearly 10 points to his base vote; 92% of Democrats now say they'll vote for him in November, up from 84% last month. He's also pulling votes from 20% of Republicans. Seventy-seven percent (77%) of GOP voters are supporting Burns.
Matt has the lowdown at Left in the West:More Data from Rasmussen
But trendlines are one of the most reliable ways of reading horcerace polls. And the trendlines here are great.
Posted by admin at 06:11 AM | Comments (0)
September 18, 2006
Conrad Burns and the Washington Post
Corruption That Shook Capitol Isn't Rattling Elections
Sen. Conrad Burns gazed at a debate audience and asked if anyone could guess who was blocking efforts in Washington to control health-care costs.
"Abramoff?" shouted a heckler. The crowd at a packed high school auditorium here in Montana's Bitterroot Valley erupted in hoots and jeers.
There's a couple of points here. First the article postulates that the Abramoff issue isn't effecting the Burns race. It quotes Burns, not the Tester campaign on the effect corruption has had on the race. Of course Burns says Abramoff has had no effect. If Burns loses this race,the main reason will be corruption. The voter has a choice between Burns and Tester. They will look at both candidates in the voting booth and say "They're about the same, but Burns is dirty." It's the kicker. That's why they have to go negative against Tester.
The second point is that the raucous Hamilton debate has reached conventional wisdom in the beltway. Note the words heckler, jeers, and hoots. Negative words. It's another marginalization of the grassroots. They don't like the messy noise of politics. It misses the point that Tester supporters outnumbered Burns supporters 3-1. In Ravalli county. There's a reason Rove is coming to Montana.
Posted by admin at 07:24 AM | Comments (0)