Friends,
Thank you! Whether you voted, wrote a letter, put up a sign, talked with a neighbor, or simply offered an encouraging word, you carried this campaign. I'm grateful and humbled by the trust you continue to place in me.
The past couple of weeks have pulled my mind back to what service really means. A trip to Fort Rucker to watch our oldest son in Army flight training brought it full circle: military service, and the service of our EMTs, firefighters, and police, is by design pure. It serves no faction – only our fellow Americans. Our oaths are to the Constitution, not to a person or a party.
Between Uncle Gary's stories of Vietnam and Panama, and the life he shared, celebrated recently at his wife's service; my Dad's 85th birthday while still a full-time large animal veterinarian serving his community; my mom's support for us all after suffering a stroke at the young age of 44; remembering brothers and sisters who gave their lives in combat; and calls from fellow veterans who fought alongside us in some of the world's hardest places to check on me and my family – I was reminded how blessed we are as Americans.
And the work continues. Here's where I'll be this month:
School Funding Interim Commission (SFIC) – Wed June 17 & Thu June 18, 8:00 AM, Room 317 & Zoom. This commission studies how Montana funds K-12 education: the costs, the needs, and how we keep our schools strong and accountable. Its work shapes school finance for years to come.
Interim Budget Committee, Section E (IBC-E) – Mon June 22 & Tue June 23, 8:00 AM, Room 317. The interim budget committees keep watch over state agency budgets between sessions, reviewing spending and reporting so the dollars you send to Helena are used wisely.
Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) – Wed June 24, 8:00 AM, Room 317. The LFC reviews the state's fiscal health overall: revenues, spending, and the big-picture budget questions that affect every Montana family.
These meetings are open to the public. Agendas and materials are posted at the links above as they become available, and most sessions can be joined by Zoom. I welcome you to listen in.
The best work gets done when we're willing to sit down, listen, and work together for the good of everyone – not a faction, not a slogan, but our neighbors. That's the kind of representation I owe you, and I intend to keep earning it. Thank you for your continued support.
As always, you can email, text, or call me with any questions or concerns. It is an honor to serve you.
