Week Three Legislative Update
 | Author:
Representative Jane Gillette, DDS, MPH (HD 77)
Representative - Montana State Legislature |
Week Three Legislative Update
Representative Jane Gillette
DDS, MPH (HD 77)
The third week of the 69th Montana Legislative Session saw significant progress on legislation to strengthen accountability and transparency in Montana’s government. Key bills included efforts to reform the judiciary, ensure property tax fairness by improving how levies are calculated, and clarify education laws. I, along with others, are working tirelessly to advance policies that bring clarity, integrity, and accountability to the institutions Montanans rely on.
As of this writing, three hundred and eight bills have been introduced to the House of Representatives, including three hundred House Bills, seven Senate Bills, and one House Resolution. This robust legislative activity demonstrates the commitment of House Republicans to addressing the priorities of Montana families and businesses.
This week, I’ve been working on legislation to provide property tax relief for property owners who complete remodels of their homes which increase the livable area of their homes. Often, people increase the livable space of their homes to make room for an aging parent, an adult child, or even to rent out as a source of income. The dynamics of property taxes are complex. There are several bills being advanced that relieve property taxes for some but dramatically increase property taxes for others. Policies such as these present challenges, since they don’t really address the underlying issue: our demand for services outpaces our tolerance for spending.
One of the highlights of my week was drafting a bill to help rebuild our broken mental health system. In 2017, severe budget cuts decimated our already fragile mental health system. The policy I’m working on will enable the development of Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHC) across Montana. CCBHCs are centers of care that provide services to people with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders. They focus on the entire continuum of care from crisis intervention to prevention, treatment, and family supports. No matter which side of the aisle you are on, we can all agree, a person can’t be truly healthy without mental health.
As week three comes to a close, I am encouraged by the progress we’ve made, and the dedication shown by my colleagues in the House. Each day brings new opportunities to serve the people of Montana and uphold the principles that guide our work. I look forward to continuing these efforts in the weeks ahead. I’m always available to you. My personal cell phone is on my website, and I want to hear from you.
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Image 1 Caption: Representative Jane Gillette, DDS, MPH (HD 77)
