On the FWP Commission

Dear Editor,

In the February 24th Courier article about Andrew McKean being ousted from the FWP Commission, Senator Lang is quoted defending his vote to not confirm Andrew. He seems to defend what appears to be cronyism on the current governor's part by stating that previous Governor Bullock did it.

Even if that were true, it doesn't make it right for current Governor Gianforte to do it. However, the accusation that the previous Democratic governor made FWP Commission appointments based strictly on political affiliation is a bit hard to believe considering that the Republicans held the senate majority all eight years of the Bullock administration. In fact, Senator Lang's party has held the majority all but three legislative sessions since 1992. Democrats held the senate majority in 1993, 2005 and 2007. The senate Republican majority could reject any of Governor Bullock's FWP nominees. It is pretty hard to buy the argument now that infers Bullock's appointments were cronies too when they were confirmed under a senate controlled by the opposite party.

Make no mistake, if you look at the recent appointments to the FWP by our new governor, you see a Commission slanted towards those that want to monetize public wildlife and that is what Andrew McKean's rejection is really about.

Sincerely,

John Daggett

Glasgow Montana