Montana Democratic Senator Responds to GOP Judicial Reform Plans

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - After a Friday presentation by state Republican leaders with their plans to rein in the state judiciary, I spoke with Democratic Missoula State Senator Ellie Boldman for a response to the GOP efforts.

She pointed out the super majority that Republicans have enjoyed over several past legislative sessions.

Seven-Term Democrat Senator Ellie Boldman on the New Legislature

“This is my seventh session, so I've gotten to watch the iterations right?” began Boldman. “The Republicans have had the majority in the House and the Senate for the last 15 years that I've been here. and so when we went from Governor Bullock to a Republican governor with Governor Gianforte, they had the majority. In fact, the last session had a super majority, and yet, time after time, it seems like we still have high property taxes. We still have a lot of problems in our state that they haven't solved.”

Boldman said she believes the public is simply not interested in the Republicans’ plans for the judiciary.

Boldman Says Montanans are Simply Not Interested in Attacking the Judiciary

“Instead of focusing on unconstitutional bills that folks at home, from my perspective, aren't really interested in, now, they're going to just take it out on the Judiciary,” she said. “I think every Montana wants a fair and just court, but that is why we have the separation of powers. Our founding fathers knew that was a good idea to keep the legislature and a majority in check, and that's exactly what our Supreme Court has continued to do successfully.”

Boldman said the GOP efforts are mere ‘bluster’.

“I'm not surprised that now that this is the direction they're going, and frankly, I don't think it's going to be going anywhere,” she said. “At least most of the bills have been tried before, and even with the super majority last session, a lot of the partisanship of our courts didn't pass even with their own party, so I think it's a lot of bluster, frankly.”

Boldman Said Republicans are Trying to Distract Montanans

Boldman said the Republican leadership is attempting to divert attention away from more important issues.

“Bills like this just to create partisanship of our courts are a distraction, and I'd like us to just focus on what the folks back home actually care about, which is property taxes, a health care system that works for most people, and that's what we're doing over here. Today, as you know, is the first day of our session.”

The 90-day legislative session is now fully underway.