Finances may help diminish divisions in 2009 Montana Legislative Session – Following, influencing the 2009 state Legislature: Via the Internet, it’s cake

The 2009 Legislature convenes here in just over a week, and if you’re looking for lawmakers to roll out something big, think again.

For a number of reasons, political scientists the governor and leaders from both sides say the 2009 Legislature could be a place where a lot of bills die – and where political brawling is limited.

Editor’s note: This is the first of a three-day series looking at major issues the 2009 Legislature will face.

By JENNIFER McKEE
Gazette State Bureau

Full Story: http://billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/12/28/news/state/21-finances.txt

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Lawmakers loaded for bear in upcoming session

By DANIEL PERSON Chronicle Staff Writer

As the 2009 legislative session approaches, Gallatin County’s delegation n seven representatives and four senators – has loaded the hopper with more than 100 draft bill requests in hopes of changing laws governing everything from gravel pits, to energy to pot.

If history repeats itself, most of those requests won’t result in actual legislation, and even fewer will result in law.

Full Story: http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2008/12/28/news/20preview.txt

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Mark your calendar for key legislative dates

The tentative calendar for the 2009 Legislature has approved by its leaders.

The Legislature meets in regular session for 90 working days every two years. Its usual schedule is to meet Monday through Saturday, although it won’t meet on the first Saturday, Jan. 10. The calendar is always subject to change.

Here are some key dates:

Full Story: http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2008/12/28/state/hjjbihhbjjhahb.txt

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Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer optimistic about year ahead http://matr.net/article-32178.html

2009 Montana Legislature http://matr.net/news.phtml?cat_id=97&catlabel=2009+Montana+Legislature

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Roster of Montana legislative leaders

Here are the leaders, by chamber and by party, of the 2009 Montana Legislature. They were chosen in separate party caucuses in November.

Full List: http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/12/28/news/state/50-roster.txt

Find a Legislator: http://leg.mt.gov/css/find%20a%20legislator.asp

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Following, influencing the 2009 state Legislature: Via the Internet, it’s cake

By Mike Dennison

If you care in the least about the Montana Legislature, modern technology has made it easier than ever to follow things down to the grittiest detail — and to contact your legislators and weigh in on issues you care about.

Want to track all bills relating to abortion? Or find out who your legislators are, and what they’re sponsoring, or how they voted? Or maybe watch an upcoming hearing or debate on TV?

If you have Internet access, it’s all at your fingertips — including live television coverage.

Full Story: http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2008/12/28/state/hjjbihhbjjhaff.txt