Your Input Needed For Economic Development Proposals Requiring Legislation -May 5

2004-05-05 11:00:00
Helena, Montana

To: Montana Legislators, Interested Business People and Community Leaders

From: Representative Joe McKenney, Economic Affairs Interim Committee Chair

Re: Economic Development Proposals Requiring Legislation

The Economic Affairs Interim Committee of the Montana Legislature will be meeting May 5 in Helena
to discuss proposals related to economic development in Montana. Many groups are meeting
separately around the state, all with the good intention of improving Montana’s economy.

Some of the
proposals being discussed may require legislation. The Economic Affairs Committee is looking at new
options for economic development and is examining past economic development activities funded by
the Montana Legislature. As various voices weigh in, the Committee wants to make certain it hears
from the broadest group of interested parties.

If you have suggestions for economic development legislation that you are preparing for the 2005
Legislature, the Economic Affairs Committee would like to work with you in advance to review and
discuss various options. There may be opportunities to coordinate legislation among the various groups.

The Committee will meet May 5, June 30-July 1, and August 19. You do not have to come before the
Committee with your ideas, but you are welcome to send the ideas to:

Economic Affairs Committee Staff

PO Box 201706

Helena MT 59620-1706.

Although the next legislative session seems far in the future, the preparatory work is already under way
for legislation. One proposal for better economic development has been a better-informed legislature.
The Committee is working on that approach by seeking to share and encourage these ideas.

The Committee would also like to point out that information on economic development activities being
promoted under the Board of Regents’ Shared Leadership proposal is available at:
http://www.montanachamber.net/ws/aboutus3.php?page_id=4876. A review of current and past
economic development programs in Montana is available at the Economic Affairs Committee website:
http://leg.state.mt.us:88/css/committees/interim/2003_2004/econ_affairs/agenda_minutes.asp.

If you
would like to send comments by email, please send to: . If you would like your
ideas posted to the Committee’s website, under your name, please mention that preference in your
letter. Staff will contact you regarding criteria for a posting. Thank you.

PO BOX 201706
Helena, MT 59620-1706
(406) 444-3064
FAX (406) 444-3036 Economic Affairs Interim Committee
58th Montana Legislature

SENATE MEMBERS HOUSE MEMBERS COMMITTEE STAFF
GLENN ROUSH–Vice Chair JOE MCKENNEY–Chair PATRICIA MURDO, Research Analyst
SHERM ANDERSON NANCY RICE FRITZ BART CAMPBELL, Staff Attorney
JEFF MANGAN JIM KEANE EDDYE MCCLURE, Staff Attorney
MIKE TAYLOR SCOTT MENDENHALL DAWN FIELD, Secretary
March 23, 2004

MONTANA LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION STAFF: LOIS MENZIES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR • DAVID D. BOHYER, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND
POLICY ANALYSIS • GREGORY J. PETESCH, DIRECTOR, LEGAL SERVICES OFFICE • HENRY TRENK, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY • TODD EVERTS, DIRECTOR, LEGISLATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OFFICE