MWV Legislative Half Time Report - Tour Dates!

Come hear Montana Women Vote's insider transmittal (half-time) report on this legislative session around issues important to women and families like: economic self-sufficiency, environmental health, education, reproductive rights, health care, human rights, violence against women and voting.

Learn what important bills are still alive (which ones aren’t) and what you can do to increase the likelihood of some positive outcomes this session. Montana Women Vote Co-Directors, Alysha Goheen Jannotta and Judy Smith will be the presenters. Some snacks and beverages will be served.

Missoula
YWCA Missoula
1130 W. Broadway
Fri. Feb. 27th 12-1:30
Presented by Judy Smith

Great Falls
Baker Bob’s Bakery
112 Central
Meeting room
Sat. Feb. 28th 10:30 – 12:00
Presented by Alysha Goheen Jannotta

Billings
McCormick Café
Back meeting room
2419 Montana Ave
Sat. Feb. 28th 1-2:30pm
Presented by Judy Smith

Bozeman
Rocky Mtn Roasters
701 W. Main (7th and Main)
Upstairs meeting room
Sun. March 1st 4-5:30pm
Presented by Judy Smith

Hamilton
306 State St. (State and 4th)
Public Library
Downstairs meeting room
Tuesday March 3rd 1-2pm

Presented by Alysha Goheen Jannotta

All of these events are free....

Update on Healthy MT Kids Plan...

Your calls and emails went in, and opponents of fully funding the Healthy MT Kids Plan are feeling the pressure! Check out this article for an update on the funding, how we got to this point, and where the funding battle will head next....

Didn't have a chance to speak out in support of Healthy MT Kids yet? Check out our post from Thurs. February 19th and take action! 

SB 46 - A Constitutional Amendment Removing Womens' Rights to Privacy - Passes MT Senate

This session, Senator Dan McGee, (R- Laurel) introduced SB 46, a constitutional amendment that would remove the strong right to privacy that has protected Montanans since 1972. 
SB 46 would give the state a compelling interest in every pregnancy and negatively impact Montanans' ability to make personal medical decisions free from the influence of the government. This is a radical attempt to allow broad government intrusion into our private decisions.

This bill passed out of the Senate with a 28-22 vote. It will now go to the house, so we will need your help and will post an action alert as soon as we know where it is headed. Stay tuned and help us kill this dangerous bill....

SB 46 - Removing Womens' Rights to Privacy - Up on Senate Floor Today!

SB 46 on Senate Floor Today - Contact your Senator!!

After a similar CI-100 ballot initiative was not supported by Montanans last year, Senator McGee, (R- Laurel) is sponsoring SB 46, which amends the MT Constitution, eliminating privacy protections that have been in place for nearly 40 years by stating that the unborn life is a “compelling state interest.”

This would authorize governmental intrusion into every pregnancy and undermine private medical decisions made between a woman and her doctor. Besides attempting to ban abortion, SB 46 and ignores the complex medical decision-making process for women with high risk pregnancies. Access to emergency contraception, in vitro fertilization, and birth control will all be jeopardized. 

This bill has made it out of committee and is on the Senate Floor today! Contact your Senator!

Call Right now: 406.444.4800

Or send your Senator an email...

Healthy MT Kids Funding in Jeopardy - Call Your Legislators!

Raise Your Voice

for Healthy Montana Kids!

Yesterday, funding for Healthy MT Kids was voted down in committee on a party-line vote, but we know that this is not a partisan issue!

Health care for kids is a priority for Montana families!

Funding was included in the Governor's Executive Budget,

but was voted down yesterday in a 4-4, straight party line vote in the Joint Subcommittee on Appropriations for Health and Human Services. 

The Healthy Montana Kids Plan passed last November with overwhelming support from Montana voters. It passed in every legislative district, in every county, and it carried 70% of the total vote.

It is time to raise our voices again!

Please contact targeted members of the Committee:

Chair: Rep. Teresa Henry, D-Missoula - voted for

Vice chair: Sen. Dave Lewis, R-Helena - voted against

and contact your Representative and your Senator!

The message is simple: 

Voters spoke out; health care for kids in a priority in Montana!

The Legislature needs to fund Healthy Montana Kids! 

Contact your Legislators by email or by calling 406-444-4800

Don't know who your Legislators are? Check out this map, or visit Project Vote Smart....

Want to know more? Check out this article in the Billings Gazette. 

Joint Sub-Committee on Appropriations for Health and Human Services Members:

Target...Chair: Rep. Teresa Henry, D-Missoula - voted for

Target...Vice chair: Sen. Dave Lewis, R-Helena - voted against

Target...Rep. Penny Morgan, R-Billings - voted against

Rep. Carolyn Pease-Lopez, D-Billings - voted for

Target...Rep. Don Roberts, R-Billings - voted against

Sen. John Esp, R-Big Timber - voted against

Sen. Trudi Schmidt, D-Great Falls - voted for

Sen. David Wanzenried, D-Missoula - voted for 

Cap Payday Lender, Stop Mercury Pollution, and Fund Comprehensive Sex Education

Stop mercury pollution from thermostats (Support SB 424)

Thermostats represent the largest amount of mercury in household products. In Montana, few opportunities exist for recycling mercury thermostats and they end up in landfills, but SB 424 can change that! The bill would ban the sale of mercury containing thermostats and create a collection program for those that are already in use. This will help keep mercury, a dangerous neuro and reproductive toxin, our of our communities. SB 424 will be heard on Thursday, Feb. 19th. This is a important, non-partisan issue and we need to tell the entire committee that now is the time to stop mercury pollutants from household thermostats. Call the Session Information Desk at 406-444-4800, ask to leave a message for the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee. Your message will be delivered directly to the legislators. The Telephone Device for the Deaf number is 406-444-4462.  (The desk is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Cap payday lender rates and help get HB 396 onto the House Floor! 

The predatory lending debate isn't over yet. Last week, we asked you to take action on HB 396, which would cap the rates that payday lenders and vehicle title-lenders can charge. Well, the bill is now stuck in committee! We need to contact every Representative in order to get it onto the House Floor for a vote. Please contactyour Representative and ask them to support Montana families and end predatory lending by voting for HB 396. Not sure who your representative is? Click on this interactive map to find out! Or got to Project Vote Smart and enter your zip code...

Comprehensive Sex Education (Support HB 596)

HB 596, the Healthy Teens Act, would fund comprehensive sex education in Montana. It would expand the Office of Public Instruction’s existing HIV/AIDS Prevention Program to include teen pregnancy prevention, healthy relationships and other STI/STD prevention. It would also provide training, materials, and technical assistance to school administrators, teachers, AND students, so that they can act as peer educators to their schools and communities! This bill will be heard in the House Human Services Committee on Wednesday February 18th. Please contact members of the committee and urge them to support Montana's youth by providing them information to protect their health and safety and make responsible life decisions.  

Committee members:                                                         Jeffrey Welborn, Dillon (R) Committee Target, Arlene Becker, Billings (D), Mary Caferro, Helena, (D), Pat Ingraham, Thompson Falls, (R), Bill Beck, Whitefish (R), Julie French, Scobey (D), Tim Furey, Milltown (D), David Howard, Park City (R), Chuck Hunter, Helena (D), Dave McAlpin, Missoula (D), Michael More, Gallatin Gateway (R), Pat Noonan, Ramsay (D), Ken Peterson, Billings (R), Diane Sands, Missoula (D), Cary Smith, Billings (R), Ron Stoker, Darby (R)

Celebrate and Advocate with MWV for International Women's Day!

International Women's Day* - March 6th, Capitol in Helena!

10am-3pm, with option to come early or stay later to listen to or participate in hearings, save the date!

• Learn Skills & Get In The Loop! Skill building and issue-based workshops will be offered from 10-11:30 and from 1:30 to 2:45. Workshop info below:

* 10:00 to 11:30am How to Grassroots Lobby (rm. 261) Secretary of State Main Conference west wing of 2nd floor. Led by Judy Smith, Kelson Young, Terry Kendrick and Angela Goodhope. MWV encourages you to advocate for issues you care about and have your voice heard.

* 10:00 to 11:30am Women Legislator Panel: Come get inside story from the source (rm. 350) Sponsored by the Democratic Women's Legislative Caucus

*1:30 to 2:45pm Health Care: Let's Make it Happen (rm. 152) Speakers, Jamee Greer Montana Human Rights Network, Stacey Anderson, Planned Parenthood, and Molly Moody, Montanan's for Health Care/Healthcare for America Now National Campaign

* 1:30 to 2:45pm Women Working for a Sustainable World: Actions you can take to support sustainable energy, transportation and food systems (rm. 172) Speakers, Linda Gryczan, Lobbyist for Grow Montana, Amy Cilimburg, National Audubon Society, and Sustainable Transportation speaker TBA

• Be Part of the Status of Women in the 2009 Session Rally! Meet women legislators over lunch and learn what is happening this session around issues important to women and families like: economic self-sufficiency, environmental health, education, reproductive rights, health care, human rights, and domestic violence and sexual assault. Your participation will send a strong message that the women of Montana are watching.
• Advocate! Montana Women Vote encourages you to advocate for issues you care about. Perhaps you want to attend a hearing or speak to your legislator. Not sure how? Don’t Worry! We will help demystify the marble halls so you can have your voice heard.
• Put On Your Purple! Please wear purple, so we can color the halls with our presence.
• Bring a friend! Ever been curious about what happens at the capitol? This is the perfect day to come check it out! Make it even more fun by bringing some friends along!
• RSVP Today! You won’t want to miss it! To RSVP (please do so if you can) or for more info, contact Alysha at info@montanawomenvote.orgor 543-3550 X214. Carpools from several communities. Event is free.

**Since its birth in the early 1900's, International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. The United Nations holds an annual IWD conference highlighting women's rights and participation in social, political and economic processes. Women's organizations and governments around the world observe IWD annually around March 8th by holding large-scale events that honor women's advancement and diligently reminding of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women's equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life.

Women's Policy Leadership Institute Wrap-Up!

The 2009 Women’s Policy Leadership Institute, WPLI, was held in January in Helena and was a great success! We had over 90 women attend from all over Montana. Most of the participants had never done policy work before and were able to get their feet wet! This year we had a group of women who participated in a Friday morning session at the Legislature where we did some first-hand citizen lobbying. Friday and Saturday afternoon consisted of great panels and workshops to do skill-building as well as hear the voices and perspectives of women working in the policy field, from elected officials to policy advocacy leaders. Thanks to everyone who presented and attended! But don't let your citizen lobbyist days be over yet...MWV will be back in Helena on March 6th to Celebrate and Advocate to honor International Women's Day! We'll see you there!

Contact Your Senators, Vote NO on Gender Discrimination in Insurance

This message came today from the State Auditor of MT, Monica Lindeen....

The Montana constitution and Montana law prohibits any insurer from discriminating on the basis of sex or marital status. This law has been on the books in Montana for 25 years, and for 25 years no legislature has overturned it.

But these protections are at risk, Senate Bill 142, sponsored by Senator Gary Perry (R, Manhatten-35) would allow insurance companies to discriminate against women in insurance pricing.

I testified against this bill in the Montana Legislature. Now, I need your help to defeat it.

Take a quick minute TODAY to please contact your legislator online or by phone....

Keep it simple. State your opposition to SB 142, give your address and phone number so that your legislator knows you live in her or his district.

• Just as we do not tolerate the practice of using race as a factor in setting rates, we should not and do not tolerate using gender.
  
• In fact, studies have shown that in states without laws against gender discrimination in insurance products there is widespread disparity in the cost of health insurance. In these states, many women pay much more than men of the same age for insurance policies providing identical coverage. That just isn't right.
  
• This bill would hurt Montana families by increasing the cost of insurance and decreasing the benefits they receive.
  
• The bill is unconstitutional.
  
• The LA Times recently reported that the California Department of Insurance is being sued for allowing insurers to discriminate against women after California "approved a system that allows the insurance companies to impose "gender rating" when pricing policies, resulting in women paying as much as 39% more for coverage then men."
  

Montana's "Non-gender" insurance law benefits all consumers.

• Insurance companies must treat all consumers equally. Auto insurance premiums decrease for men, and women benefit on life and health policies.

• In 2006, 30 other states had a higher average premium for personal automobile insurance. The average combined premium in Montana is 11% lower than the national average.
  

Montana Women Vote Action Alert - February 9th!

650% Interest is Predatory Lending (Cap interest rates, support HB 396)

In Montana, payday and vehicle title lenders charge “finance fees” that equal an APR (annual percentage rate) of up to 650%, the highest rate allowed in any state. Many families get caught in a debt trap and lose their cars or even go bankrupt. HB 396 sponsored by Bill Wilson (D) Great Falls, would limit interest rates on pay day & title loans in MT to 36% APR (many other states have already capped at this rate). House Business and Labor Committee will hear the bill today and legislators are going to vote on it in the next few days. Please contact committee members ASAP and tell them to protect consumers in our state by capping pay-day lending through passage of HB 396. This is not a partisan issue and it is important to contact legislators from both parties.

Legislators in MWV communities on the committee to contact- - Rep. Elsie Arntzen (R) Billings, Rep. Gordon Vance (R) Bozeman (possible swing vote really important to contact), Rep. Mike Milburn (R) Cascade, Chuck Hunter (D) Helena, Michelle Reinhart (D) Missoula.

They're Back!(Oppose SB 46)

After a similar CI-100 ballot initiative was not supported by Montanans last year, Senator McGee, (R- Laurel) is sponsoring SB 46, which amends the MT Constitution, eliminating privacy protections that have been in place for nearly 40 years by stating that the unborn life is a “compelling state interest.” This would authorize governmental intrusion into every pregnancy and undermine private medical decisions made between a woman and her doctor. Besides attempting to ban abortion, SB 46 and ignores the complex medical decision-making process for women with high risk pregnancies. Access to emergency contraception, in vitro fertilization, and birth control will all be jeopardized. This bill is expected to make it out of committee and onto the floor – so we must talk to all Senators about this bill – please do your part and contact your Senator today. Don’t know who your is Senator? Use this map to find out.

Support Investment in Family Planning (keep in the budget HB 2)

The best way to reduce unintended pregnancies is to offer affordable family planning. In the last session, $1 million dollars in funding (for the last two years) was included to help 27 family planning clinics across the state offset the skyrocketing cost of birth control. This year, the Governor’s proposed budget continued this funding. This Wed. the 11th, Representatives and Senators on the Joint Health and Human Services Subcommittee will have a hearing regarding this funding. If you think family planning is a sensible investment in our communities, please contact members of the committee today and ask them to make sure family planning is fully funded in this year’s budget. Targets on the committee: Sen. Dave Lewis, R-Helena, Rep. Penny Morgan, R-Billings, Rep. Carolyn Pease-Lopez, D-Billings, Rep Don Roverts, R-Billings.