This Week, the House was focused on passing a conservative state budget. House Bill 2, the budget bill, passed a preliminary House vote on a party line following a day-long floor session. House Republicans voted against 14 amendments and $178 million in new spending that was proposed by Democrats. The budget brings a balance between the taxpayers’ pocketbook and the need of critical services of Montanans. We have all felt the impact of inflation and House Republicans did good work on this budget to keep it fiscally conservative and appropriate during this time. HB2 continues to address the critical state-funded needs and services that the people of Montana expect in the future.

With the Republican supermajority in Helena, we have the opportunity to improve the Constitution of the State of Montana this session just as our Federal Constitution has been improved over the years. There are several constitutional amendments that are being introduced by Republican lawmakers that protect the Montana way of life. I am supporting several constitutional amendments this session. The first amendment I am supporting will give Montanans the right to permitless carry. This protects our 2nd amendment rights and the Montana way of life. Another constitutional amendment I am supporting will require the legislature to approve any future redistricting maps.

In addition, there have been hundreds of House bills sent to the Senate. House Bill 38, a bill that I introduced, will make the theft of a light vehicle a felony. HB 38 has passed in both the House and the Senate.

HD 40 Representative Greg Oblander