GOP Legislators in Yellowstone County Oppose Bipartisan Bill to Support Counties, Veterans, and Conservation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 22, 2024

CONTACT
gaby@montanademocrats.org

Billings, MT – A dozen Republican legislators representing Yellowstone County flip-flopped their support for the popular, bipartisan SB 442 late last week in a veto override vote– changing their minds to support Gov. Greg Gianforte over veterans, rural communities, and conservation efforts.

The veto override vote results were released late Friday afternoon after the bill spent nearly a year held up in political limbo. The vote showed many Republicans statewide chose to vote against a bill they previously supported during the 2023 session when it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. In fact, 130 of all 150 lawmakers voted for SB 442. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Mike Lang (R-Malta) would have sent cannabis tax revenue to fund road maintenance, veterans’ services and access to public lands.

Now stakeholders are calling for accountability and Montanans are demanding answers from the following legislators in Yellowstone County, who flip-flopped and voted against rural communities, veterans, and conservation efforts:

Larry Brewster (HD44),  Lee Deming (HD55), Sherry Essmann (HD52), Jodee Etchart (HD48), Chris Friedel (SD26), Dennis Lenz (SD27), Tom McGillvray (SD23), Nelly Nicol HD53, Gary Parry (HD39), Kerri Seekins-Crowe (HD43), Barry Usher (SD20), Katie Zolnikov (HD45), and Daniel Zolnikov (SD22)

According to data from the nonpartisan Legislative Services Division, SB 442 would have invested $16.6 million in fixing rural roads in every Montana county, $16.7 million in wildlife and public lands conservation, $5.7 million in behavioral health services, and $2.4 million in improving veterans’ services.

Legislators representing districts in Yellowstone County walked away from $180,977.82 going toward rural roads and communities within the county.

The Montana Association of Counties commended the bill’s original bipartisan support in March 2024 and pleaded with legislators to choose rural Montanans, veterans and outdoor enthusiasts over politics:

“County Commissioners from across Montana appreciate the widespread support that Senate Bill 442 enjoyed throughout its legislative process. Marijuana revenues are new to Montana, and the bill’s thoughtful distribution of this higher-than-expected new revenue stream included some funding for county roads.”

The Secretary of State’s official poll results were released Friday afternoon and showed SB 442 failed to gain the support needed to override Governor Gianforte’s last-minute veto, which the Montana Supreme Court found to be unconstitutional

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