Montana Women Vote!

2nd Biennial Governor's Report Card
January 20, 2006

Governor Brian Schweitzer:
Grade
Domestic and Sexual Violence Programs A
A Woman's Right to Choose A
Civil Rights B
Economic Security/ Building a Bridge from Public Assistance to Increased Economic Security I
Women and Environmental Health B-
Overall Grade B+

Montana Women Vote!

2nd Biennial Governor's Report Card
Explanation of Score Results

The grades are based primarily on the 2005 legislative priorities of the 10 organizations that comprise Montana Women Vote. The grades were set by each organization in their issue area.

  1. Domestic and Sexual Violence programs Grade A

    The Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence advocated for increased funding and several new laws to aid victims of domestic and sexual violence and to hold perpetrators accountable.

    • During the 2005 Legislative session, Montana's lawmakers and the Schweitzer administration demonstrated significant financial support of domestic and sexual violence issues/programs by creating several new funding streams. The Governor's budget also maintained a level amount of general fund money for domestic violence shelter programs.
    • Several policy changes were made to criminal statutes, unemployment insurance, sexual assault response, etc. that demonstrated an ongoing commitment to improving service systems for domestic and sexual violence survivors. Including, the addition of two new programs housed in the Department of Justice.
    • Governor Schweitzer, Nancy Schweitzer, and Lt. Governor Bohlinger have demonstrated a personal commitment to the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault by publicly supporting programs that provide services to violence survivors.
  2. Reproductive Rights Grade A

    NARAL ProChoice Montana, Planned Parenthood of Montana, Blue Mountain Clinic and the rest of the Montana Reproductive Rights Coalition advocated for legislation that protected a woman's access to reproductive health services.

    • Governor Schweitzer has continually publicly stated his pro-choice position. Governor Schweitzer also pledged to pro-choice groups that he would veto any anti-choice legislation that crossed his desk.
    • The Governor made history in 2005 by signing the first pro-choice piece of legislation passed in Montana, the Clinic Safety bill, which protects patients entering and exiting reproductive health clinics by enforcing an eight-foot "bubble" around them thus protecting them from attack by anti-choice protestors.
    • Governor Schweitzer and his administration have publicly stated their support for comprehensive, medically accurate, age appropriate sex education. The Governor has shifted resources away from abstinence-only sex education programs.
  3. Civil Rights Grade B

    Montana Human Rights Network advocated for legislation that recognizes the dignity in everyone regardless of their sexual orientation. The Governor and his staff supported civil rights issues with the exception of his endorsement of the ban on gay marriage.

    • Lt. Governor Bohlinger represented the Governor's office in support of two important civil rights bills. One bill would have included gender, sexual orientation and disability as classifications along with religion, race, and ethnicity in Montana's Intimidation and Harassment Act. Crimes against people because of their real or perceived affiliation in a group are commonly known as "Hate Crimes." The other bill added age, economic status, condition of homelessness, condition of pregnancy and political activity as classifications to the statute.
    • The Governor's office supported an anti-bullying bill that would have required school districts to adopt a policy prohibiting bullying on school grounds, at school activities and on school buses. The act also called for schools to develop ways to address the issues of bullying and harassment.
    • The Governor appointed more Native Americans and women to high level positions in his staff and as heads of departments than any previous governor in Montana. Governor Schweitzer and his administration made commitment to involving and increasing Native Americans' access to state government.
    • Governor Schweitzer supported the increased funding for "Indian Education For All" in the 2005 special session. Montana's constitution requires that all students in Montana receive education on Native American issues.
    • As a candidate for governor, Brian. Schweitzer endorsed the Montana constitutional amendment that banned gay marriage. Marriage is a civil right granted by the state and carries no religious requirement. Marriage discrimination is the most blatant form of anti-gay bias. It denies gay couples the same rights and responsibilities as heterosexual couples such as access to insurance coverage, social security benefits, and next of kin privileges.
  4. Economic Security/ Building a Bridge from Public Assistance to Increased Economic Security Grade I (Incomplete)

    Advocates from homeWORD, WORD and WEEL along with legislators supported legislation to increase funding for and access to social services and public health programs. Governor Schweitzer stated his intent early in the legislative session to make things better for the "last and the least" of Montana. First steps were taken but significant work remains.

    • The Governor's Budget included some initiatives for assisting low income Montanans such as an increase in LIEAP (energy assistance) funds and needs- based scholarships to Montana post secondary institutions. His budget did not include priorities drawn from discussion with low income or women's advocates.
    • After the Legislative session, the Human and Community Service Division of DPHHS created a TANF working group to improve communication. The group includes advocates and Department personnel to discuss the on-going status of TANF dollars and programs.
    • Low income and human service advocates have been invited to submit proposals for consideration by DPHHS and the governor's policy staff in the governor's upcoming budget preparation process.
    • After the 1st appointed director of DPHHS resigned, Governor Schweitzer nominated a candidate with skills and experience and the support of the public health, human service and advocacy community.
    • Governor Schweitzer's policy people did not testify for, and at times opposed, advocates' priorities such as a TANF rate increase, elimination of the Medicaid asset test to create additional CHIP slots, or increasing the minimum wage that were included in the Montana Women's Legislative Agenda.
    • Governor Schweitzer opposed increased funding in House Bill 2 for priority human service needs as identified by advocates and the bi-partisan Human Services Subcommittee of the Legislature.
    • Governor Schweitzer nominated as head of the Department of Public Health and Human Services a person with no experience or expertise in human services or public health, creating wide concern among service providers and advocates. After a brief time that person resigned.
  5. Women and Environmental Health Grade B-

    Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE) recognizes that while harm to our natural environment affects both men and women, women carry these impacts in a unique way.

    • Governor Schweitzer showed support for reduction of toxic chemicals in our environment when staff testified in favor of SJ15, a joint resolution calling for the phase out of PBDEs (toxic flame retardant chemicals) in Montana. These toxic chemicals have been found in high levels in humans, including in the breast milk of Montana mothers. The bill passed the Senate and failed in the House.
    • The Schweitzer administration also supported setting stricter standards than mandated by the federal government for allowable levels of carcinogens (cancer causing agents) in water. SB236 passed the Senate and failed in the House.
    • Governor Schweitzer's administration was instrumental in helping to pass SB415, the renewable power production and rural economic act. With the passage of SB415, renewable energy is now an important part of the energy mix in Montana. The law creates a renewable energy standard to encourage the development of Montana's wind resource, diversify its energy supply, and promote investment in rural Montana. These changes to energy policy are especially important in our deregulated market, where consumers have seen the cost of formerly inexpensive gas and electricity skyrocket. For low-income women and single-heads of households, a reduction in utility bills will be important.
    • The administration failed to weigh in on some important issues such as improving notification for pesticide applications, allowing governmental agencies to use information to protect public health, reclaiming of land disturbed by the development of coal bed methane, and streamside setbacks. In addition, the administration opposed a proposed rulemaking which came before the Board of Environmental Review to set standards for mercury pollution levels for coal-fired power plants.
    • Since the end of the legislative session, the governor has expressed a keen interest in building more coal-fired generators in Montana. Burning coal is the leading cause of mercury pollution in the nation. Although the Governor's interest is in coal liquefaction, the jury is out on whether this newer technology will adequately protect Montanans from the damaging effects of mercury.

1st Biennial Governor's Report Card


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