In the midst of a pretty tough week at the Montana Legislature, I received really good news!

I’m the winner of a poster contest by Intermountain Opera Bozeman for their May production of Romeo and Juliet!

In December, before the start of the legislative session, I began working on a few different designs. I wanted to focus on the story of Romeo and Juliet, and also wanted to produce something eye-catching, geared toward a new and younger audience for opera, and to venture into ground that’s not typically what comes to mind around opera. (We think of elaborate stages and costumes, powerful singing, and tragic stories around opera, and I hope a more modern perspective in this poster evokes some interest for Intermountain Opera Bozeman!)

Congratulations to the winner of the 2013 Poster Contest, JP Pomnichowski!  Her artwork will be utilized in publicity for our May 2013 performance of Gounods Romo et Juliette and she will be awarded the prize of $1,000.00.

  Are you still working on a computer system that’s twenty or thirty years old, a mainframe from the 1980s? Do you know anyone who is?

  Updating and upgrading our computers as technology gets better and better is a necessity in our modern society. There are better communications, applications, and connectivity all the time, and it’s important–critical, even–that we stay current.
  The same applies to state government.
  Think of all the critical information in state computers: your personal information, business filing info, bank and credit card numbers; it’s an immense amount of data, and an immense responsibility to keep it all safe.
  This morning, I presented House Bill 10 to the House Appropriations Long-Range Planning subcommittee.
  House Bill 10 is the Information Technology legislation for the 2013 session. In it are contained eight projects to upgrade, update, and improve our computer systems, equipment, communications, software, and databases, and all of them serve Montanans at the state agency level.
  Public Safety Communications System–this is the interoperability network of emergency communications that reaches across the state. The dollars we invest at the state level are leveraged eight- to ten-fold with grants from federal dollars. When you call 911, the network that transmits that message and dispatches emergency services must be robust; this appropriation will complete the upgrade. Also, more work and business for Montanans is included; restrictions on how federal grants could be spent have been lifted, and so leases from our own telecomm companies will help flesh out the network.
  Statewide Data Protection Initiative–This effort will help to add security and authentication to access data in state computers, and the impetus to act quickly is prompted by recent security breaches in South Carolina, where the Department of Revenue was hacked and peoples’ personal information accessed, and by hacks in Utah, Alabama, the Wall Street Journal, and our own Yellowstone County. We need to secure computer data not only with user ID and password, but also with secure ID. We’ll also test by trying to hack our own system, in order to find vulnerable points of access. Then we’ll fix ’em.
  Capitol Complex Maintenance Management System–In 44 buildings and 1.2 million square feet of office space, scheduled maintenance and requests for repairs are currently handled in two rather archaic ways: institutional knowledge of long-time employees who know when boilers were replaced and roofs were reshingled, and by a manual system (paperwork). A computer system to track repairs, labor, and materials will help with efficiency and timing of scheduled maintenance.
  Commissioner of Political Practices–This is the division that collects data on elections and candidates, lobbyists and political action committees. The computer system upgrade is half-done, and compatibility and app problems between two separate vendors must be fixed.
  Department of Environmental Quality–The Remediation Division Information Management System will replace a 1989 system that runs a Microsoft Access database, and both the system and database are so old that the provider is stopping support. We’ll convert to a new system, transfer the existing data as well as maps and geologic data and all the rest for things like cleaning up mine tailings, leaking underground storage tanks, and solvent sites, and we’ll be able to view concurrent information, too, like Superfund cleanup data.
  Department of Transportation–The IT project is for a new Maintenance Management System to replace another 1980s-era system. The upgrade will convert some manual paperwork-driven processes to a web-based system, so that snowplow drivers, dispatchers, road project workers, etc. can get information in real time, can schedule personnel and equipment for projects, and eliminate duplication with a single point of access.
  Secretary of State’s office–We’ll finish replacing a 1978 mainframe computer system, which will improve efficiency and information access for businesses and citizens. In support of this bill was the Montana Bankers Association, whose members use state-of-the-art computers and systems for financial information and need the same security and services from the state. The system will help with business filings, incorporation documents, etc.
  Legislative Services Division–The system and software upgrade will replace a 27-year-old mainframe computer system and outdated and incompatible software (TextDBMS and WordPerfect. WordPerfect! That’s an OLD word processing program!) and will also offer some “cross-pollenation” between Legislative Services and Legislative Fiscal Division, a logical connection but one that incompatible systems prohibit now.

  The Appropriations Subcommittee will consider the funding requests of all of these projects, make amendments (there are three adjustments, for more and less money, already) and then take action on House Bill 10. Then, the bill goes to the full Appropriations Committee, goes through the same process there, then goes (hopefully) to the full House for debate and vote.
  I’m particularly proud to carry House Bill 10, for many reasons: with respect to the Public Safety Communications System, I served as a firefighter/EMT for ten years, and the importance of robust and uninterrupted emergency communications cannot be overstated! When you call 911 for help, emergency services personnel want to help you! Also, in the 2009 Legislative Interim (the period after the legislative session and before the next session convenes) I served on the Capital IT Committee, and heard details about many divisions’ computer successes, problems, and needs.
  For the security of everyone’s personal information, I’m proud to sponsor the legislation for systems and processes that accomplishes secure access and protection of your data.
     

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  Whew.      
  So, that’s what I did this morning.
  This weekend was Governor Bullock’s Inaugural Ball. Some pics from the event.

  Hello, friends!
  The work of the 63rd Legislative Session is moving along, and for the first couple weeks, most of the bills were easy code clean-up and enjoyed little controversy and bipartisan support. But now, tougher issues are coming before us. We’ve heard proposals to limit voting rights and voting access, and to control at the state level public school curricula. The House passed (without my support) using silencers for hunting big game, a resolution to change the redistricting model to favor Republican changes (gerrymandering), and to deny overtime pay to computer professionals. Yes, that’s a real bill.
  There has been some good work, too; I serve as Vice Chair of the House Taxation committee, and we consider policy on income tax, property tax, and revenue at the state level for all of the services that we Montana citizens expect and enjoy. It is the duty of the House Taxation committee to consider the revenue estimate for the next two years, and to recommend to the legislature as a whole our budget number. We passed the revenue estimate Wednesday, and that’s an important step for the legislature to fulfill its one duty: to pass a balanced budget. House Tax considers the revenue estimate, and the House Appropriations committee appropriates, or spends, that money. Each Montana household must balance its books and live within its means, and so does state government.
  The House Tax committee has heard individual tax policy ideas, too. A proposal to offer income tax relief sounds like a good idea, until you learn that it would offer just $27 to taxpayers. That bill failed, and other, more meaningful tax relief bills will be proposed in coming weeks. We’ll consider them all, always with an eye toward balancing the budget.
  Visitors grace the House chamber each day. We had some junior fiddlers entertain us at the start of our floor session, and we’ve heard the State of the State address from Governor Bullock, the State of Education address by Superintendent Juneau, and the State of the Judiciary address by Chief Justice Mike McGrath.
  Thanks, everyone, for all your messages on legislation. The work is intense and frequently difficult, but I love the work! I’m honored to serve you, and please be assured, I’ll always do my best for you!

Hello, Blogosphere! It’s been a while since I posted; didja miss me?

Oath of office ceremony, Montana House of Representatives.

 On Monday, January 7, I took my oath of office to serve a third term in Montana’s House of Representatives, and I am so grateful for your support. I’m honored to serve, and I love the hard work of making good public policy. I’ll do my best for everyone in Montana, you can be sure.

With Lieutenant Governor John Walsh (left), Governor Steve Bullock!

This session, I’m serving as Vice Chair of the House Taxation committee, and I’m a member of the Natural Resources committee, and also the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks committee. It’s a busy schedule, but the policy decisions that come before us are weighty and important; House Tax was in joint meetings with Senate Tax three times these past two weeks for hearings on the revenue estimate, and House FWP has already heard wolf hunting bills. The session is in full swing.

In the first week on Day Four, I presented two bills to the House Business and Labor Committee. This week, Week Two, those two bills passed the House. The bills will transmit to the Senate in late February, and then I’ll present the bills to Senate committees and hopefully, the Senate will pass the bills. After that, it’s on to the governor’s desk, and into law. The bills are brought at the request of the Department of Administration, specifically for the Banking Commissioner, and one proposes changes to the Retail Installment Sales Act, the other, changes to the Consumer Loan Act. In committee, I presented amendments to the Retail Installment Sales Act on behalf of auto dealers and also for banks, and I’ll bring amendments to the Consumer Loan Act after discussion in the House during debate. All in all, these two bills will help protect consumers from fraudulent lenders, ensure that basic business practices are followed (like requiring interest to be computed on the principal of the loan, requiring that receipts are dated, and figuring refunds for loans that are paid in full before the final payment is due.)

I’ll post updates from the session, so stay tuned. Call (406 444 4800) anytime, or write me a message that’ll be delivered to my desk in the House chamber (http://www.leg.mt.gov/css/sessions/63rd/legwebmessage.asp?LegSessID=4175&Name=JP%20POMNICHOWSKI).

I’ll be working on legislation and writing on items of interest as the session progresses!

It was a beautiful day this past Saturday for MSU Homecoming. I marched in the parade with friends and supporters, then kept stats on the MSU Football Gameday Stat Crew as I’ve done for 24 years now. The Bobcats won their football game over Northern Colorado. Campaigning continued through the weekend, meeting voters and having in-depth discussion at a wonderful meet-and-greet last night.

Here are some photos from MSU Homecoming parade, and look at this beautiful slide show on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/znqfoCfkFWU
 

Today I’m participating in the Gallatin County Local Public Health System Assessment. I’m part of a group investigating whether people are receiving the medical care they need.

Last week, I was in Helena two days to serve on the State Board of Labor Appeals. I was appointed to the board early last year. We consider appeals to unemployment claims from employers and employees alike. It’s difficult but very important work, and work that keeps Montana in the top four in the nation for fair and timely case decisions.

The continuum through these events is my campaign for re-election, which is going very well! I need your support to return to the Montana Legislature to continue my good work. Please, if you’d like to help, contact me and we’ll talk to voters together, or you can contribute online via ActBlue, here: https://secure.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/28714

Many thanks for your support! I love the work of shaping good public policy; for me, it’s always been about the policy, not partisan politics.

Vote Pomnichowski, the longest name on the ballot!

'JP for Montana Legislature': We’re fundraising at ActBlue for JP for Montana Legislature!

Click the link for a convenient way to contribute to my campaign, and THANK YOU, as always, for your support!