Jan. 12, 2012
Veteran Legislator Seeks District 66
BOZEMAN Jennifer JP Pomnichowski of Bozeman has filed for election to the state legislature to represent House District 66, comprising downtown and the southcentral and west central parts of the city. A Democrat, she previously served in the House in 2007 and 2009 and currently is a member of the Montana Board of Labor Appeals.
A lifelong Montanan and Bozeman resident for 27 years, Pomnichowski has been a firefighter/EMT on the Bridger Canyon Volunteer Fire Dept. An MSU graduate, she has served on the Bozeman Board of Adjustment, Zoning Commission, Planning Board and Inter Neighborhood Council.
I have carried, co-sponsored or supported several bills of direct benefit to District 66, said Pomnichowski, who lived in the heart of the district when attending college. After the 2009 downtown explosion and fire, I carried a bill to shield city core property values from deterioration after disasters, and I fought for $1.2 million to clean up asbestos and other contaminants from the site of our showpiece new public library.
I also voted to freeze college tuition for the first time in 20 years, for all-day kindergartens and to provide $28 million for the renovation of Gaines Hall at MSU. I oppose any reduction in benefits or services to senior citizens, and I endorse educational, medical and housing aids for veterans.
I have a progressive outlook, but a conservative grip on taxpayers money, Pomnichowski, 44, declared at her filing announcement Thursday. I have voted for a balanced budget every time, with ample reserve for emergencies like wildfires, and I also have voted to retain full funding for public schools and law enforcement, plus services like Meals On Wheels and senior and disabled transportation. I have voted to create jobs and to develop business opportunities, and Ive encouraged small business with a measure to foster employee medical coverage and by voting to abolish the business equipment tax. I support unlimited stream access, alternative energy, and clean water and air guarantees.
Pomnichowski previously has been endorsed for election by Montana Education Association/Montana Federation of Teachers, Montana State AFL-CIO and the Montana Game Wardens Association.
JP and her husband own a home in south Bozeman patrolled by cat Fitz.
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Dick Barrett says:
Hard to imagine anything much better than JP back in the House. She's a great legislator.