Archive for the ‘2008 Election’ Category
By JC
Liz recently wrote about the squabbling inside the dem party about how best to expand Medicaid:
“Failure is often more instructive than success.”
While he has a point, I think that folks need to remember the battle over the Healthy Kids Initiative in 2008-2009.
Here’s the quick down and dirty: in 2008, Healthy Montana Initiative, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit ran a ballot initiative campaign to expand access to health care via CHIP and Medicaid for kids in low income families. The campaign was hugely successful and won at the state polls with 70% of voters supporting it. Kids… gotta love ’em, even it they comes from poor families.
Now the problem with initiatives in Montana is that while they can set up new programs and revenue streams, they can’t appropriate funds. So the initiative had to go the the 2009 Montana Legislature for an appropriation. That Legislature had a deadlocked 50-50 House, and Republicans controlled the Senate 27-23.
The appropriation for the initiative was rolled into HB2, the main funding instrument for the state. So, through a very rancorous session, with the House supporting the Initiative funding, and the Senate trying to gut it at every step of the way, the bill eventually passed with the appropriation intact and the CHIP and Medicaid expansion for poor kids was funded.
A newsletter from the MHRN characterized the legislative battle thusly:
“What was not foreseen was a partisan debacle where many Republicans put anti-government ideology ahead of the health of Montana communities and the clear will of the voters who elected them.
In a stunning disregard for the democratic initiative process, Republicans threatened funding for the Plan at every turn. A majority of Republicans in both the House and the Senate stated publicly and repeatedly that voters did not know what they were voting for and/or the Plan was a step towards ‘socialism.’ They threatened to withhold funding for the program.”
So we see that even when a solid majority of Montana voters give the Legislature a mandate to do something, that mandate goes by the wayside when politickin’ and legislatin’ season arrives. That Legislature was only mildly republican, with the words “tea party republican” yet to be coined during the aftermath of the Obama election, and the Baucus-care debacle. Continue Reading »
by jhwygirl
There is nothing that city council can do that will cause more permanent harm to any semblance of affordable housing in this valley than to approve their current rezoning of the whole city for ADU’s (Accessory Dwelling Units.)
Beyond that truth, the latest back-and-forth on this insane proposal is the question surrounding the city’s plan to require the owner of an ADU to live on premises. Questions have run the gamut of “Can the city even enforce this?” to “How would the city even enforce this?”
The Missoulian’s Keila Szpaller’s latest delves into this issue along with other very real possibilities that any reasonable entity should consider before writing something that they actually intend to enforce.
What I have said to myself over these questions the last two weeks – and this is when I really regret not having a Missoulian account with which to comment – is this: How or Could the city enforce this? They aren’t enforcing their current ordinances on ADU’s! Why would any presume that they would enforce this new everyone-can-have-one rule when they aren’t enforcing their current rules on dwelling units?
And isn’t there an inherent conflict of interest on the council for 2 or more city council people? Councilors who own and/or live in an illegal ADU?
The mere fact that their association with illegal ADU’s has been openly discussed in public meetings is proof enough of the intent of the city to enforce its owner-must-live-on-site rule. To think any different is really rather irrational.
I also can’t help but ponder the silence of affordable housing advocates. The idea that the city council is going to turn every square inch of this city into an “investment property” by doubling the density potential on single-family dwelling zoned neighborhoods is absolutely insane. Depending on the design standards they end up settling on, you can add 10-20% (at least) on top of the value of a lot in what is currently a single-family zoned area.
With a unit already built? Who knows what that’ll pull down. Oh – and you can bet that a potential ADU will be a selling point on those selling who haven’t built one yet. Add on a premium for that!
Will it be good for the city? Property values will increase because instead of buying a single family home, new buyers will be writing proforma’s to show the bank how the rental of an ADU will increase their income. This will increase the amount of property taxes collected. Is that good for the city? I guess it depends on how you look at it.
I am sitting back just shaking my head. But then again, I did that when the bailed out the ballpark. And the affordable housing project for a second time. And when they blessed the sale of our water. And when they seriously considered an Arts Center. And when they accepted an RFP from a developer who said they had to have a prime piece of real estate for free in order to make their proposal work.
Election season can’t come soon enough..
by jhwygirl
There’s some discussion going on about that today. Perhaps they legitimately need to consider it:
Yeah…that’s a pic from Tim Fox, 2008 candidate for Montana Attorney General.
by jhwygirl
I know I’ve come across his name recently and I know he’s been back in the state for some time now – but when I read this comment from Left in the West’s Matt Singer, I got pretty pissed.
In a just world, election fraud of the sort perpetrated by Eaton wouldn’t result in termination. It would result in prison time.
This, by the way, is why I didn’t vote for Fred Van Valkenburg for prosecutor (without an alternate option, I left the race blank). When he decides to do his job, he’ll get my vote again.
Amen to that…
The Indy’s Alex Sakariassen got on the story first thing today…but I like Jay’s biased assessment just fine.
See – Jake Eaton committed fraud 2 years ago. Damned near exactly two years ago, actually. He fraudulently signed off on a document, swearing by affidavit that I had changed my address when I hadn’t. He had no information to support that, either.
I’m but one – but one should be enough to go looking at the rest of the 6,000 or so voter challenges he swore out by affidavit to counties around the state.
My opinion about this has not changed. Jake Eaton committed fraud. He disrupted an election. He cost taxpayers around the state quite a bit of money.
Far as I know, there’s no statute of limitations. Frankly, it should be an insult for any election officer in this state – and for any county attorney of any county that got these fraudulent voter challenges – to know that Jake Eaton is not only back in this state, but reinstated firmly with a working on Montana GOP election activity.
by JC
It’s election day, and the thoughts on my mind, one year after Obama and democrats swept to victory and republicans went down in defeat, are thus:
Will the conservative uprising in elections back east amount to anything more than a squabble in the GOP, and progressive democrats will succeed in wresting control of their party from its moderate entrenchment?
Or has the republican party completely lost its ability to govern, and the return of the two party system will revolve around a centrist democrat/republican corporatism vs. a far right conservative ideology?
Alternatively, anybody feeling the love, àla hope and change?
by JC
So little Jakie got all growed up and went to work for an astroturf manufacturing company, Americans for Prosperity, and its “grassroots” front group, Patients United Now (no PUN intended). Been wondering what he’s been doing since he got runned out of town with his tail between his legs for voter suppression last fall.
In Montana, the effort is being coordinated by Jake Eaton, former executive director of the Montana Republican Party…
Eaton said AFP officials and some local people will be on the bus, which will stop for rallies in a dozen towns.
Patients First already had been planning a Montana bus tour to rally opposition to health care reforms, and readjusted its schedule to make a stop in Bozeman to correspond with the president’s visit, Eaton said.
This should be interesting, no?
In other related news, there still isn’t any confirmation of a fundraiser at the Yellowstone Club, or any other details, for that matter.
by Pete Talbot
Shocking news. Is it true? I’m not sure, but it came from a reliable source (my imagination). Here’s why I wrote that headline:
… Palin attorney Thomas Van Flein on Saturday warned legal action may be taken against bloggers and publications that reprint what he calls fraudulent claims. (From an Associated Press story; emphasis mine.)
So come and get me Mr. Van Flein. Let’s test some libel laws. I mean, Gov. Palin has been the butt of jokes since the summer of ’08, when it was announced she would be Sen. John McCain’s running mate. Think Leno, Letterman, SNL, YouTube …
So now she bails on the people of Alaska, because, as she says on her Facebook and Twitter entries, she has a “higher calling.” And what could be a higher calling than carrying the senator’s child to term?
By the way, there’s an extensive article on Palin in Vanity Fair that’s worth the read. (Tip o’ the hat to my buddy Andy in Anchorage. Whoops, I see jhwygirl already linked to it in the comments in her post below, courtesy klemz. Great minds … )
by jhwygirl
The opening line to sentence to Ravalli Republic’s John Cramer’s latest reads “Dennis Unsworth, Montana’s commissioner of political practices, knows the term “engaged citizenry” takes on a whole new meaning in Ravalli County.”
Boy – he couldn’t be more accurate. And he sure knows how to grab a reader.
Not that Bitterrooters have a reputation for being laid back. I know many that use the term crazy when they say “Bitterooters” – the two kinda go together, going back to Battle of the Big Hole days…
In an ongoing soap opera-like saga – a story that would be amusing if it weren’t so pathetically ironic, Dan Floyd, Treasurer for Higher Ground Foundation, an anti-zoning, anti-streamside setback corporation classified as “public benefit with members” (as it is registered with the Secretary of State’s office), is calling on a host of federal, state and local agencies to take action to save his two guest houses from falling into the Bitterroot River.
The Bell Crossing bridge, he claims, is the cause.
Seriously – don’t miss the comments in that one. The Ravalli Republic has some of the best comment strings of all papers around the state. Next to, maybe the Billings Gazette. It’s a tough pick, that contest, I tell ya.
So Dan Floyd, self-described property rights advocate is calling on the government to save his property. Now, to be fair, Floyd didn’t build his house and the two guest houses – he just bought it, where it sits, next to the Bitterroot River and the Bell Crossing bridge. This is sounding a lot like the guy down in the Big Hole who bought property and is now trying to claim a hardship in order to get a variance to build a bridge. In the Big Hole case, he’s been denied – twice now, once on appeal.
You got laugh at the audacity of a person that buys property without access, with laws in place concerning bridges and streamside setbacks (the Anaconda-Deerlodge consolidated planning area has not only had effect regulations in place for years – they have a commitment to them), and then claims hardship.
More on Higher Ground: Higher Ground has been under investigation by Montana’s Office of Political Practices for violating campaign laws. There are at least 9 complaints filed over campaign issues in Ravalli County – and at least two of them are against Higher Ground.
Recently, Unsworth subpoenaed the Ravalli Republic for copies of all ads placed by Higher Ground. Less recently, Unsworth ruled that Ravalli County Citizens for Free Enterprise violated campaign laws and would face prosecution if a settlement isn’t reached.
Citizens for Free Enterprise were found to be, effectively, a front for Wal-Mart, who was seeking to reverse zoning regs which prohibited big box stores. They were successful in overturning the regulations – yet eventually withdrew their plans.
The whole situation down there is very unfortunate – collectively, Higher Ground, along with the Bitterroot Building Association and Residents for Responsible Land Use quite arguably had an impact on voters who recalled the county-wide zoning referendum. This, after significant hours and $ costs to taxpayers – not to mention public involvement.
What worse, is that each of these organizations has multiple charges filed against them. Hell, maybe someone should file RICO charges against them all if they’re found in violation.
The ugly side of what the situation in Ravalli County shows is that big money can buy lots of influence – the repercussions will be long in coming for the perpetrators, yet the sufferings of the electorate will be instantaneous.
How do you get justice out of that?
Floyd (& friends – you can bet Tom Robak is one of ’em) are under investigation for violating laws associated with his campaign against streamside setbacks, yet he seeks justice for the very issues under that which he campaigned against.
How completely ironic is that?
by jhwygirl
It’s official – Democrats have made yet another fine addition to the U.S. Senate.
Congratulations are in order, Senator Al Franken, from the Great State of Minnesota!
While one vote short of a supermajority, Democrats now hold 59 seats in the Senate, Republicans 41.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming……
by jhwygirl
Remember this post? Well, it peaked Missoulian reporter Keila Szpaller’s interest, and she’s got this interview with failed incumbent PSC candidate Doug Mood up at Missoula Red Tape.
Lost on me, but apparently the “O” in “O shit” – which is “O crap” in some other applications – stands for Obama.
Mood’s obviously proud of it too – I’da put money down on him having removed the stuff by now. And I’da lost.
Don’t let the door hit ya where the sun don’t shine, Doug.
by jhwygirl
…And tell them to Get Out There and Vote.
Today is the runoff election between Jim Kern Martin and Swiftboatin’ Saxby Chambliss.
Democrats could pick up another badly needed seat today in the Senate by electing Martin.
And before you think your call won’t matter, consider that the Secretary of State expects only a 15% turnout.
yeah folks, and I’m guessing Coobs already saw this, in my coffee-deficient haze on my drive to the local java joint, I realized that Al Franken is ahead in Minnesota on his recount, and it was Jim Martin that was running against Chambliss. Yet another case of bad coffee-deficient blogging. Will I ever learn?
And thanks Pete…I saw you were in there trying to save me.
by jhwygirl
Here.
by jhwygirl
The “Left in the West is Back” post has whittled down to a discussion of the failed emergency operations center.
I voted against it, after much going back-and-forth. My reasoning is found in that thread.
Apparently, Gallatin County’s 911 Center, which passed, was asking the taxpayers for $3 million.
Missoula’s was asking taxpayers for $16 million – while the total cost was to be $23 million.
Ultimately, I never saw enough information out there to vote yes and raise taxes “just $27.89 on a $200,000 home.”
The failed emergency center bond has been the topic around the office and several discussions I’ve encountered. What say you?
by jhwygirl
How the kids had the time to track everyone down and write so much great coverage is such a short amount of time, I’ll never know. I couldn’t even get out of bed on Wednesday until well after noon.
Missoula’s Choice 2008 has 3 pages of coverage of post-election day coverage that’s pretty darn good.
Not a reflection of the writing, but I sure hope they have to retract this one.
by jhwygirl
Provisional ballots in HD-100’s race – Bill Nooney v Democrat Willis Curdy could bring the final count in that race (currently 2195 Nooney – 2162 Curdy) into Curdy’s favor. 868 provisional ballots, to be counted on Monday, may hold those votes.
In Laurel, HD-59 “Doc” Woerner is down by 22 votes to Krayton Kerns (Republican). The less-than-1%-spread there means a recount is likely. A bit of trivia here – which you will get out of that link – is that Kerns took his seat only after a recount in 2006.
by Jamee Greer
This nifty little map from the NY Times shows how Montana experienced one of the farthest shifts to the left between the 2004 election and yesterday.
Thanks to Audra for the link
by Rebecca Schmitz
My mom, who lives in Stevensville, called me bright and early (a little too bright and early–I was celebrating downtown until the wee small hours) this morning. She was horrified by the election results in Ravalli County: Bitterrooters voted overwhelmingly for Elaine Sollie Herman, and against the school levy in Hamilton and Legislative Referendum 118, the 6 mill levy. What the hell? Doesn’t anyone value education up there?
Boy, sometimes the Bitterroot makes Gallatin County look almost sane.
by Jay Stevens
As I mentioned late last night on LiTW (no link, ha), the GOP had captured the Senate. Not a big surprise. But what is a big surprise is that it looks like they’ll control the House, too. It’s a surprise because the Republicans had to defend so many seats, and they were working in an election with a large grassroots presence working for a Democratic president.
Right now, it looks like the Senate stands at 27 Republicans and 23 Democrats; and the House at 50 Republicans and 49 Democrats.
That’s right, the math is off. There’s one race that’s still in doubt. HD 63, featuring a good friend, JP Pomnichowski, where returns are not all in. Also there are still absentee ballots that are trickling in that may affect other races, too.
In any case, it looks like the Democratic wave swept up the statewide races, but failed to reach down into the local races.
Thoughts? Updates?
by jhwgirl
This is becoming an election season regular occurrence..but da*n it, I’m lost without that morning cup’o Left.
On another note – What is UP with Gallatin County and the state house race? Still only 78% reporting.
Updated numbers below. Still ain’t calling nothing on the SOS numbers yet…
by jhwygirl
Via Jim Dayton, Chair of the Missoula County Democrats:
Election Night Celebration for Missoula County Democrats
On Tuesday night, Election Night, Missoula County Democrats will be celebrating in a smoke free environment at the Elks Club 112 N. Pattee St.
After all of the “Get Out The Vote” calls have been made and all of the doors have been knocked, everyone is invited to join with other Democrats as the Missoula County Democrats celebrate the end of the election and watch the results come in.
We will be getting together at the Elks after 8:00 pm in a smoke free environment to celebrate. The bar will be offering both drink and beer specials to help us celebrate. And celebrate we should! Hundreds of people, if not thousands, in Missoula County have been volunteering and working hard to bring us change at the local, state, and national levels. We should be having lots to celebrate. Bring your friends, other volunteers, your whole campaign staff and anybody else who would like to join in the excitement.
Elks 112 N Pattee next to the Bon/Macy 8:00 pm Victory Celebration