Senator Greg Hunter is not what you think he is.
Representative Jerry Schillinger HD34
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As our beloved President Reagan famously said to Walter Mondale when he was telling another whopper, “There you go again!” That statement came to my mind when I read Senator Greg Hunter’s latest article in the Glasgow Courier. “There he goes again!”
Montana voters elected 31 republicans and 19 democrats in November. Senator Hunter wants his constituents to believe that seven republican senators with a legislative history of voting for big government and big spending, along with two freshman (the nine) joining all 19 democrats are banding together to champion conservatism! Hmmmm.
Senator Hunter would also like his constituents to believe that 19 democrats and (the nine) voting to dismiss an ethics investigation into the ringleader of the nine, is promoting transparency. The Legislative Audit Division said there were clear violations by former Senate President Jason Ellsworth. Alleged violations included attempting to evade procurement statutes, administrative rules, waste of State resources and abuse of his position. You would think “transparency” would at least demand a thorough investigation of the ethical violations. Hmmmmmm….
Senator Hunter claimed “Medicaid Expansion (Obamacare) ensures the elderly or disabled can access quality healthcare.” Medicare covers the elderly. Regular Medicaid covers the disabled. He also said “Montana has the most fiscally responsible Medicaid Expansion (Obamacare) in the country, with strict work requirements and copays that keep costs down and ensure those that can work are incentivized to find jobs.” The truth is, a work requirement was never approved by the federal government, so we don’t have one. Able bodied, working age adults, 19-64, nearly always childless, vast majority are 19-29 are covered by Expansion (Obamacare), no work required. 64% don’t work. There was a $5 copay in the law that is ignored by hospitals because it is so low that it isn’t worth trying to collect. That is who you are paying for. Hmmmmm.
Senator Hunter also is supporting the STARS Act to boost teacher pay. I am too. There are certainly reasons not to, but compelling reasons to support it, in my opinion. The main reason not to is that the teachers union,Montana Federation of Public Employees, without fail, supports candidates that have destroyed our timber, mining and energy production industries. These industries paid huge amounts of taxes that could be helping carry the load. Most recently Joe Biden killed the Keystone Pipeline. Jon Tester made sure it was dead in the Senate. Besides all the other advantages of the pipeline it would have produced $60- $70 million of property taxes per year for as far as you can see. Coincidentally, nearly the exact amount of the Stars Act. Senator Hunter indicated it won’t raise property taxes. In years one and two, probably not, after that, likely.
He went on to pledge to reiterate his commitment to conservative values in the legislature and to vote alongside his republican colleagues if those votes are true to conservative values of fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency. He should have added “as measured by a litmus test established by nine big government republicans and 19 democrats.”
Senator Hunter has clearly established himself as not conservative, not transparent and having a very difficult time knowing or telling the truth. I hope the good citizens of SD15 demand more.
For Freedom,
Representative Jerry Schillinger HD34, 406-974-2478, [email protected]
At the beginning of my term as your State Senator, I stated my commitment to making decisions that are in the best interest of my constituents and the state of Montana. Over a month into the legislative session, and in the face of some tough votes where I chose to prioritize transparency and accountability over political dealmaking, I am proud to say my commitment to you as my constituents has not wavered.
From stopping attempted rules violations that would have threatened conservative representation on key committees and failed to uphold those same conservative principles to taking important votes that protect our rural hospitals and support our teachers and schools, it’s been an honor to represent you in Helena.
Those values of transparency and accountability are my guiding virtues as the legislature considers major legislation around healthcare and schools. With seven vital rural hospitals in and around my district, preserving the resource Medicaid expansion provides to rural Montana is my top priority. Medicaid expansion keeps our hospitals open, helps us attract highly-qualified doctors and nurses, and ensures the elderly or disabled can access quality healthcare. Montana has the most fiscally responsible Medicaid expansion program in the country, with strict work requirements and copays that keep costs down and ensure those that can work are incentivized to find jobs. Medicaid expansion keeps our hospitals open, lowers costs for small businesses, and ensures our rural communities stay healthy, which is why I support a responsible approach to continuing Medicaid expansion.
Rural Montana has some of the hardest-working educators dedicated to teaching our children, but new teacher pay in Montana is dismally low compared to neighboring states. That’s why I support the STARS Act, which boosts funding to school districts to help attract high-quality teachers without raising property taxes. And I’m supporting common-sense property tax reforms that will lower costs for Montana homeowners.
Finally, I want to reiterate my commitment to representing conservative values in the legislature. You elected me as a Republican, and I will always vote alongside my Republican colleagues as long as those votes are true to conservative values of fiscal responsibility, accountability, and transparency.
As your Senator, my door is always open to hear feedback on what matters most to you.
Sincerely, Gregg Hunter, Senate District 15
