When someone told me I live in a fantasyland, I nearly fell off my unicorn. – Unknown
Today’s quick hits deal with these important subjects:
- Stapleton – Four Separate Ethics Violations
- Montana Legislature – Abortion
- Government Shutdown Averted?
Stapleton – Four Separate Ethics Violations:
Lee Newspapers reported Monday afternoon that Montana’s elections watchdog found Secretary of State Corey Stapleton committed four separate ethics violations when his office used a state email account and state resources to distribute a press release announcing Stapleton’s bid for governor.
I think just about anyone who follows politics and knows a little bit about campaigns knew that Stapleton broke some rules.
It’s now very telling that Stapleton, Montana’s chief elections officer, knows little about campaigns and elections. He seems to be ignorant in this area. It appears from the report about the ethics violations, that his staff could use some remedial training on separating campaign duties from their official duties. They should be reprimanded.
Stapleton should not be running for Governor. I encourage Stapleton to remove his name from consideration and learn the job for which he was elected.
Montana Legislature – Abortion:
While watching a report on my local MTN News station about the Montana Senate endorsing a bill requiring abortion providers to give women patients the chance to see an ultrasound of their fetus, I noticed who was arguing for and against the bill.
The bill is Senate Bill 100 and it is sponsored by State Senator Keith Regier, R-Kalispell. The person who was arguing against the bill was State Senator Diane Sands, D-Missoula.
It seems that year after year there we see a lot of old Republican men wanting to tell women what to do with their bodies and their healthcare.
I think we all want to see fewer abortions in this world, I know I do, but they are legal.
Senate Bill 100 is a worthless bill that is nothing more than harassment.
Government Shutdown Averted?
While President Trump was preparing for his Make America Great Again (MAGA) rally in El Paso, Texas, Monday night, Reuters reported that U.S. congressional negotiators reached a tentative deal to try to avert another partial government shutdown. The big news is that congressional aides said it did not contain the $5.7 billion President Donald Trump wants for a border wall.
There’s money for new fencing, which is set at about the same amount as last year, according to reports. The Associated Press reported the agreement means 55 miles of new fencing — constructed through existing designs such as metal slats instead of a concrete wall — but far less than the 215 miles the White House demanded in December. The fencing would be built in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
I guess we’ll have to see how Ann Coulter, Laura Ingraham, and Trump’s conservative base take this news before we know if Trump will sign the bill. The bill has to be written and then pass the U.S. House and U.S. Senate and then be signed by the President.
Although the details are preliminary, I can’t see this as a win for Trump. It looks like Speaker Pelosi won again.
I guess Trump could sign the bill and still declare an emergency on the southern border anyway. Stranger things.
U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), who was a member of the small bipartisan group of lawmakers tasked with crafting border security legislation to avert a government shutdown, released the following statement after the group announced an agreement in principle:
“Our bipartisan committee did its job and crafted a compromise that will help secure our borders and keep the government open,” Tester said. “Montanans deserve that kind of certainty from their lawmakers, and I look forward to working with my colleagues over the coming days to shepherd this bill through the legislative process.”
One More Thing:
Every accomplishment begins with the decision to try. -Unknown