Posted: November 1, 2011 at 7:05 pm

Political Quick Hits

We Take It Back

The Great Falls Tribune reported this week that the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce has flip-flopped, rescinding its endorsement of embattled Great Falls TEA Party leader Cyndi Baker, who is running against Mary Jolley. When asked about whether the reason for the un-endorsement had anything to do with the fact that Baker had threatened local schools with “bad publicity” if they didn’t offer her a government job as a liaison to the TEA Party, a Chamber representative said that was “part of it.”

Rehberg’s Lawsuit Continues to Make Waves

Dems continue to pound Rehberg for his lawsuit against Billings firefighters this week, but that’s not the only controversy the lawsuit has raised. Some Democrats are upset that Attorney General candidate Jesse Laslovich has found an unusual source for his campaign treasurer and financial support in Cliff and John Edwards. The pair are, respectively, the Rehberg’s lawyer and his son. Both work at the Edwards firm, which represent the Rehbergs. Rep. Carolyn Pease-Lopez (D-House District 42) posted on her Facebook page this week:

I just learned some disturbing news. The law firm that is representing Rehberg in his lawsuit agains the Billings Fire department are supporters and donors of the Jesse Laslovich campaign for A.G. One of the lawyers is even his campaign treasurer. What is Laslovich thinking! This is ridiculous.

Flathead Fallout

The latest political scandal in the Flathead keeps getting bigger. James Conner of the Flathead Memo and former State Representative Mike Jopek have some harsh words for the Flathead County Commission today. Here’s a sneak preview. The entire post is not to be missed:

Once only landowners did have the vote — and those landowners had to be white men. There are those who think that’s how things should be today.

Posted: June 2, 2011 at 6:59 am

Whose Dime Are You Worried About Denny?

Rehberg’s latest bill is supposed to cut back on ‘frivolous lawsuits’ on the taxpayer dime. But did he really mean our dimes or just his? If he was truly worried about the taxpayers, he must surely have intended to include in his bill Montana’s most famous frivolous lawsuit on our dime – the one Congressman Rehberg filed against Billings firefighters who risked their lives to save his scrub brush last year.

After all, Rehberg writes in a press release:

“No one wants to restrict access to the courts,” said Rehberg. “But let’s use some common sense and stop asking the taxpayer to fund the very lawsuits that are destroying their jobs and livelihoods.”

However, it appears Representative Rehberg’s lawsuit against Billings firefighters impacts not only your dimes (you’ll have less of them) but also your job and livelihood negatively–with decreased safety and increased taxes because of insurance costs, says East Helena Fire Chief Bill Wegner.

The only dimes Rehberg is worried about are his own.