No 'blitzkrieg' bills for licensees at mid-point
As we approach the mid-point of this 2009 meeting of the Montana Legislature, we're inclined to think: steady as she goes.
The Republicans maintain a functional four-seat majority in the Senate, whereas the House is split 50/50 along party lines. Democrat Governor Brian Schweitzer has long positioned himself as a moderate, along with his Republican Lieutenant John Bohlinger.
The make-up of the Legislature and executive branch probably fairly accurately reflects the make-up of Montana voters: moderate leaning conservative.
But some would say, perhaps complain, the relatively even split makes for partisan gridlock. That may be true, as we have seen numerous examples of bills dying in committees because no majority can be mustered and we have seen the full chambers split on legislation, too.
If you're a business owner in Montana, "gridlock" is not necessarily a bad thing. The status quo can certainly be a safe, and therefore attractive, alternative to change and upheaval. At least you know what the business playing field looks like today and, with gridlock, know what it will look like tomorrow. Regulatory predictability is a crucial element for making sound business decisions.
It has often been said about the tavern and gaming business: they don't want anything from the Legislature other than to be left alone. With no political party in complete control, they may get their wish this time around.
So far in this session there haven't been any Pearl Harbor attacks on businesses licensed for adult beverage service or gaming, such as the massive and confiscatory tax hike proposals and outright license system quota busters we've seen in the past.
That's partly because the difficulty of getting those kinds of disruptive measures passed in this evenly split body is almost prohibitively insurmountable.
It may also be because the economic landscape is so uncertain that prudence and caution dictates restraint. No one wants to see service workers in taverns, restaurants and casinos added to the unemployment rolls.
Draconian measures damaging to licensed businesses would also have a difficult time passing because licensed businesses are well represented by their respective organizations—the Gaming Industry Association, Coin Machine Operators Association and particularly the Montana Tavern Association.
In all, around 2,500 small businesses employing near 25,000 people with a payroll approaching $300 million and expenditures exceeding $1 billion ought to, and do, have some clout.
All this isn't to say there aren't plenty of bills for licensees and their representatives to keep a close eye on. In aggregate, a slew of sniping "small bills" harmful to the business can have the cumulative effect of one large blitzkrieg measure.
At this juncture, it has been a pretty good session for licensees. Most of the troublesome bills have died and a few others have been amended to lessen their negative impacts. On the other hand, a few bills that could have benefited licensed business have also died.
As we go to press, we are nearing "transmittal" when all bills, excepting tax and revenue measures, must be passed from one chamber to the other. If a bill misses that Feb. 26 deadline, it's dead.
But it is those exceptions, which can pop up at anytime during the session, we worry about: the tax and revenue bills.
As always, keep your eyes and ears open and "keep your powder dry."
Source: The Montana Tavern Times
, March 2009, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W Granite, Suite 102, Butte MT. 59701
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, March 2009, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W Granite, Suite 102, Butte MT. 59701