Representative Howell delivered a speech against SB164, a bill that would charge parents with child abuse for providing gender affirming care even if they were merely driving through the state.
I take back my previous pessimistic statement about Montana in the discussion thread earlier today. I could cry I'm so happy. A larger defection than the last time? I didn't see that one coming.
Bravo to these 17 Republicans for following their conscience and listening to their colleagues. The state clearly still has a long way to go given the recent vote on the gay marriage amendment to the state Constitution, but God damn it, it feels good to see that some people are trying.
More Trans Derangement Syndrome from Republicans. I mean charging parents for simply driving through the state with trans kids? That is beyond ludicrous.
I swear, Erin, your wife and S.B. Howell are the two best politicians in Montana right now. They both have the Fred-Rogers-like superpower to convince politicians who wouldn't otherwise be convinced to do the right thing!
Give your wife (and S.B. Howell if you ever meet them) my sempiternal gratitude.
Val you make it sound like you did nothing. But for me it saved me a great deal of time. Plus by posting the list you raised a lot of awareness. As an ally I so love that this group seems action orientated. It's people doing things like you did that add positivity to my day.
Soooo grateful & a bit hopeful! As a 70+ year old grandma to two beautiful & perfect trans kids...not a Montana resident..called, pleaded, argued, cried & begged for them to vote NO! Some of them did!! Thankful Erin for all you do, for your brave, amazing wife, & for today's call to action!
The national Democratic party needs to be taking notes from Reps Howell and Zephyr. Nobody else anywhere in the country has had so much success in resisting the tyranny of a Republican majority; they are clearly doing something very, very right, and I don't believe for a second that Montana is so unique in the American political landscape that the same success can't be replicated anywhere else... or 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 else. These are the heroes we need right now.
I have lobbied lawmakers for a very long time, and I'm one of the few who bothers lobbying Republicans. As I've always told people - and as we are seeing of late - not all Republicans are our enemies, and not all Democrats are our friends. We must always keep this in mind.
Whew! Too close for comfort, but so grateful it didn’t pass. And I want to attend a Master class on patience delivered by Representative Howell! Holy smokes! They calmly break down the issues in a clear and accessible manner. This is no small feat when the stakes are so high!!! Dannngggg! Continuously impressed by them. This level of service deserves a purple heart. …. ney … a lavender heart. 😆
The Republicans in Montana that are resisting these hateful, and hurtful bills give me hope. If they can stand for human rights, parental rights, and basic human dignity...surely others can follow their lead.
Great to see the defeat, but those remaining 40 votes for legislation that would punish people for being decent human beings and caring parents are a somber reminder of the reality that prevails in this country today.
The plot changes are ridiculous. Kudos for the Republican legislators... for opposing a irrationally hateful bill... that imposes (someone's, supposed) family values... on perfectly happy and functioning families!
At least Montana took the issue through the legislative process. Texas hung this issue years ago on one legal opinion, written by their (corrupt, btw) Attorney General. Child Protective Services fell apart when caseworkers quit rather than persecute good parents; children were uprooted and families were split up as parents took their kids out of the state to safety, etc, etc..
I take back my previous pessimistic statement about Montana in the discussion thread earlier today. I could cry I'm so happy. A larger defection than the last time? I didn't see that one coming.
Bravo to these 17 Republicans for following their conscience and listening to their colleagues. The state clearly still has a long way to go given the recent vote on the gay marriage amendment to the state Constitution, but God damn it, it feels good to see that some people are trying.
I have some hope, but even proposing such a law is seriously disturbing and gross overreach.
More Trans Derangement Syndrome from Republicans. I mean charging parents for simply driving through the state with trans kids? That is beyond ludicrous.
I swear, Erin, your wife and S.B. Howell are the two best politicians in Montana right now. They both have the Fred-Rogers-like superpower to convince politicians who wouldn't otherwise be convinced to do the right thing!
Give your wife (and S.B. Howell if you ever meet them) my sempiternal gratitude.
Gratitude! Also basically human decency
Which 17 defected for this vote? I wanna give them a call to tell them thank you.
Thats the kind of behavior that will change results of dangerous bills and I want to encourage it.
Made a list
Brad Barker (Brad.Barker@legmt.gov, 406-426-1034)
Lyn Bennett (Lyn.Bennett@legmt.gov, 406-890-4468)
Marta Bertoglio (Marta.Bertoglio@legmt.gov, 406-282-1408)
Larry Brewster (Larry.Brewster@legmt.gov, 406-670-0929)
Ed Buttrey (Ed.Buttrey@legmt.gov, 406-452-6460)
Julie Darling (Julie.Darling@legmt.gov, 406-471-4125)
Sherry Essmann (Sherry.Essmann@legmt.gov, 406-876-0490)
John Fitzpatrick (John.Fitzpatrick@legmt.gov, 406-459-8407)
Valerie Moore (Valerie.Moore@legmt.gov, 406-385-7983)
George Nikolakakos (George.Nikolakakos@legmt.gov, 406-823-0363)
Melissa Nikolakakos (Melissa.Nikolakakos@legmt.gov, 406-223-2380)
Greg Oblander (Greg.Oblander@legmt.gov, 406-652-3553)
Gary Parry (Gary.Parry@legmt.gov, 406-749-0543)
Linda Reksten (Linda.Reksten@legmt.gov, 406-471-8359)
Eric Tilleman (Eric.Tilleman@legmt.gov, )
Mike Vinton (Mike.Vinton@legmt.gov, 406-855-3345)
Ken Walsh (Kenneth.Walsh@legmt.gov, 406-596-0418)
THANK YOU for making it so easy to express our comments to legislators.
I just got the list from the The Montana State website and cross referenced it with the votes in the image.
Frankly, its a really good site.
www.legmt.gov/legislators/
Val you make it sound like you did nothing. But for me it saved me a great deal of time. Plus by posting the list you raised a lot of awareness. As an ally I so love that this group seems action orientated. It's people doing things like you did that add positivity to my day.
Thanks so much for the list!
Hell yeah! I'm celebrating any and all wins right now.
Soooo grateful & a bit hopeful! As a 70+ year old grandma to two beautiful & perfect trans kids...not a Montana resident..called, pleaded, argued, cried & begged for them to vote NO! Some of them did!! Thankful Erin for all you do, for your brave, amazing wife, & for today's call to action!
The national Democratic party needs to be taking notes from Reps Howell and Zephyr. Nobody else anywhere in the country has had so much success in resisting the tyranny of a Republican majority; they are clearly doing something very, very right, and I don't believe for a second that Montana is so unique in the American political landscape that the same success can't be replicated anywhere else... or 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 else. These are the heroes we need right now.
Wooohooo!! 🥳
I have lobbied lawmakers for a very long time, and I'm one of the few who bothers lobbying Republicans. As I've always told people - and as we are seeing of late - not all Republicans are our enemies, and not all Democrats are our friends. We must always keep this in mind.
Hell ya! That turned around my crappy day. Thanks Montana!
Whew! Too close for comfort, but so grateful it didn’t pass. And I want to attend a Master class on patience delivered by Representative Howell! Holy smokes! They calmly break down the issues in a clear and accessible manner. This is no small feat when the stakes are so high!!! Dannngggg! Continuously impressed by them. This level of service deserves a purple heart. …. ney … a lavender heart. 😆
The Republicans in Montana that are resisting these hateful, and hurtful bills give me hope. If they can stand for human rights, parental rights, and basic human dignity...surely others can follow their lead.
Great to see the defeat, but those remaining 40 votes for legislation that would punish people for being decent human beings and caring parents are a somber reminder of the reality that prevails in this country today.
Yes!!! Hooray!! Thanks for the wonderful news and congratulations to all involved.
Your news is precious thanks for getting it to us quickly.
The plot changes are ridiculous. Kudos for the Republican legislators... for opposing a irrationally hateful bill... that imposes (someone's, supposed) family values... on perfectly happy and functioning families!
At least Montana took the issue through the legislative process. Texas hung this issue years ago on one legal opinion, written by their (corrupt, btw) Attorney General. Child Protective Services fell apart when caseworkers quit rather than persecute good parents; children were uprooted and families were split up as parents took their kids out of the state to safety, etc, etc..