Rep. Noonan takes seat on Gaming Council
By Paul F. Vang
Rep. Pat Noonan (D-Ramsay) is the new Montana House of Representatives’ member on the Montana Gaming Advisory Council. The GAC met May 19, which was Noonan’s first meeting with this advisory group. 
The GAC, created in 1989, advises the Department of Justice, Legislature and other state agencies on public policy matters related to gaming. The council is made up of nine members, representing the gaming industry, the public at large, Native Americans, local government and the Legislature.
Noonan is a freshman legislator representing House District 73, an area stretching from the center of Butte west to Fairmount Hot Springs and south to Melrose, including both urban and rural constituencies.
Noonan succeeded his uncle, Art Noonan, as the legislator from this district. This may seem confusing, but Art Noonan, who last year became the executive director of the Montana Democratic Party, didn’t run for re-election to his H.D. 73 seat, but was then appointed to represent H.D. 74 to replace his former colleague in the House, George Groesbeck, who died suddenly in December 2008.
“It was a lot of learning,” Pat Noonan says, reflecting on his first session in the Legislature, adding, “It was a good session. I adjusted to sitting through five hours of testimony better than I thought I would.” In addition to his appointment to the GAC, Noonan was also appointed to the Legislative Consumer Committee.
As to his appointment to the GAC, Noonan says, “I put it on my list of things I thought I’d be interested in.” He speculates that he got the appointment on an assumption that nobody with greater seniority requested appointment to the council.
Noonan is 32 years old and a 2000 graduate of Carroll College, where he majored in Public Relations and Communications. He works as a specialist in Developmentally Disabled Work Services for AWARE, Inc. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two daughters, Hope and Haley, the latter who was born in April, while Pat was still in Helena, tied up in legislative work.
Of his first meeting with the GAC, Noonan says, “We went over lots of ideas. I could tell I have a lot to learn about gambling issues. I might know how to play the games,” he added, mentioning he enjoys playing Texas Hold ‘Em poker, “but I have a lot of history to learn.” Overall, he says, “I’m excited I got on the Council. They deal with a lot of issues that I’m interested in.”
John Tooke, Miles City, is chairman of the GAC, one of three representatives of the gaming industry. Based on that first meeting, Tooke says of Noonan, “He has an advantage, in my opinion, coming from Butte, because he comes to the Council with a basic understanding of the gaming industry.”
Noonan replaced Mark Blasdel (R-Somers) as the House of Representatives member of the Council. Tooke said, “Mark was a valuable member of the council, plus did a great job of carrying some bills recommended by the Council.”
Tooke was pleased with Noonan’s first meeting. “He expressed a sincere interest in the issues the GAC is involved with. He demonstrated that he’s a quick study. I think he’ll be a good member of the group.”
Tooke is nearing the end of his own term on the GAC. Reflecting on his service, he says, “I think we’ve done some good work for the state. Collectively, we’re an effective group.”
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, July 2009, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W Granite, Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.