Senator Lang gives Legislative update for week of March 22

We really had an outbreak of Covid at the Capitol this week!!!

Now, no mind games. Read the whole story.

The US government, via the American Rescue Plan (ARP) is planning on sending lots of money to Montana. Stop the printing presses.

However, since the Montana legislature is in session for this round of relief, as opposed to previous stimulus measures, everything that is not earmarked will need to be allocated -- amounts ranging from $900 million to $1.2 billion. The 67th legislature has two bills (HB 632 and SB 297) moving through the system for the allocation of these dollars.

The plan and motivation are to help with needs of citizens without increasing state taxation and providing infrastructure. Sounds easy!!

Senate Finance and Claims and House Appropriations have worked many long and extra hours this past week. We are removing dollars from bills that qualify as ARP funds. This reduces financial demands on general fund and taxpayers. Say a prayer that we get it all done effectively. As the blueprints from the US ARP US 1319 are not completed.

Envision this, you think you just won the lottery. Your receiving lots of money. You talk to your wife and family and start dreaming of what you will do with all the money. Now all your relatives and friends, some you do not know, start calling and want to share in your lottery wins. It becomes overwhelming. At this stage of the plan, you start pulling your hair out, drinking coffee to extreme. How do I use this money, how did I get it? You must have a plan before the end of the week, or you may lose the funds. Remember, you do not really know when the funds will arrive or what they can be used for.

A plan should call for reducing debt (old and new), investing for the future (infrastructure), spend only on the needs and not luxuries. Help the deserving and those who cannot help themselves. Whether you’re figuring out your lottery winnings or acting as the legislature and spending ARP funds.

House FWP tabled SB 306, my FWP commissioner member bill. I have a hearing on SB 355 in the House taxation committee. Please support. Lesley Robinson’s confirmation is up in Senate FWP this week.

Gratefully, Mike Lang, SD 17