The Missoulian’s editorial board today excoriates the Montana Legislature for focusing on social issues and frivolous, unconstitutional bills instead of focusing on jobs.

Exactly how do these proposals relate to jobs and Montana’s still-struggling economy? For that matter, why are legislators talking about requiring ultrasounds for pregnant women considering abortion? Why are they talking about the death penalty, or asserting state sovereignty, or creating a “home guard”?

The short opinion piece is not to be missed.

House Democratic Minority Leader Jon Sesso and Governor Brian Schweitzer have been urging a focus on jobs rather than crazy and unconstitutional bills from day one:

“Your mission, members of the Legislature, is to prepare Montana for that new day,” Schweitzer said. “A day of more opportunity, more freedom, lower taxes, new opportunity, better schools and higher paying jobs.”

“This is the sixth or seventh bill to nullify our participation in the union of the states. The last time I checked we were a member of the United States — and the last time I checked that union was very beneficial to Montana in many ways,” House Minority Leader Jon Sesso of Butte said in floor debate. “This is absolute folly. This bill and every bill like it.”