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Waiting for the Joint Rules Committee meeting to start this morning and @MTPublicAffairs is jamming some very upbeat music. #mtleg
Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls, is the first to offer some amendments for the joint rules, which govern how #mtleg conducts business.
The proposed amendments so far seem to just be clarifying some language on procedure. Nothing too spicy yet.
Sen. Jason Ellsworth, R, offering an amendment for his proposal to create a covid-19 response panel at the legislature. The amendment would make it so the panel could not require a legislator to get covid-19 testing or the vaccine. #mtleg
Rep. Robert Farris-Olsen, D-Helena, asks about another proposed amendment from Ellsworth that could give some discretion to committee chairs to limit public testimony when it's given virtually. Ellsworth says it's needed if there are technical difficulties.
Farris-Olsen says the amendment gives the chair too much power to limit virtual testimony. Asks for the language to be tightened.
Ellsworth says chairs are well-experienced and want to hear public testimony. He says he doesn't know how to fix the issue that Farris-Olsen is raising, but that he's open to carrier pigeons.
Rep. Skees, R-Kalispell, has introduced another amendment that says lawmakers who participate remotely won't be entitled to per diem reimbursements. https://leg.mt.gov/content/Committees/Rules21/SJ000118..AJC.FINAL.pdf
Sen. Jill Cohenour, D-Helena, opposes the amendment, saying people may need per diem reimbursements to deal with pandemic related burdens. Skees says that's fair for people participating in-person, but not for those participating remotely.
Rep. Gunderson, R-Libby, says he's worried about how the amendment will administered. Says he wonders what would happen if he participates in-person, gets sick and then has to be airlifted to a hospital. I think the question is whether he would get per diem in that scenario.
*will be administered
Public comment now. A Helena teacher is up first. She says she thought mask-wearing would be an issue with her elementary school students, but it wasn't. She says her students understand why masks are important.
"There's no reason you can't wear a mask either." #mtleg
"There's no reason you can't wear a mask either." #mtleg
Stacey Anderson, MT Primary Care Association, urges lawmakers to hold the session remotely until the covid-19 vaccine is widely available.
Mike Rooney, operations director for downtown helena incorporated, says masks and safety precautions are essential for local businesses. He asks lawmakers to protect businesses and ensure that they can survive these times.
Carol Sullivan, owns a restaurant in downtown Livingston, says her business has been closed for dine-in since March. Says it's very important for lawmakers to mask up like everyone else does. "You're supposed to be role models for us."
Emily Coyle, MT Public Health Assoc, asks lawmakers to hold a remote session, or in the very least, to wear masks and socially-distance.
CEO of Purview Health Center urges for a virtual session until a vaccine is widely available. Says Pureview is testing 200+ people today and had to hire 14 temporary staff. "We are completely overwhelmed." Says an in-person session would put undue burden on health care workers.
Tim Burton, of the MT League of Cities and Towns, says he supports city of Helena, East Helena, L&C County + health officer asking for a remote session.
Another woman says she's lost friends and family to covid-19. She had to close her business. Hasn't been able to see her 90 yo mom since March. "We are depending on you to do the right thing."
A nurse is now testifying. Says she's deeply concerned about what she's seen at the capitol. Says it's disrespectful to health care workers that lawmakers aren't taking safety precautions. Says nurses don't complain about masks or other precautions.
Beth Brenneman of Disability Rights Montana says that people with disabilities will not come to the Capitol if there aren't safety precautions in place. Says relying solely on zoom for public testimony won't work. Urges lawmakers to postpone the session until vaccine is out.
says getting sick shouldn't be the price of admission to participate in government.
