Montana's 69th Legislative Session – Constituent Connection

My First Week in the Montana State Senate:

As I reflect on my first week serving in the Montana State Senate, I am struck by the profound honor and responsibility of representing my constituents. On Jan. 6, I had the privilege of attending the governor’s inauguration, an event that underscored the weight of our collective duty to serve the people of Montana.

Following that momentous occasion, I was officially sworn in during our first session, a moment filled with pride and gratitude for those who entrusted me with this role.

However, alongside these milestones, my first week also brought a sobering lesson about the challenges of governance and the importance of transparency in our democratic processes.

My very first vote in the Senate chamber was cast on a rule change. A new committee was formed that hadn’t been done in over 50 years in the Senate and a number of conservative legislators were assigned to it. However, no significant work was assigned to this committee. These changes appeared to benefit a select few legislators at the expense of equitable representation across the Senate.

The majority of the Senate body blocked the unfair rules and adopted a temporary set of rules that we can run on going forward to get our work started. With all Republican senators now fully utilized, we have a strong conservative majority on the committees; equally important, the ability to fully represent our constituents and the state of Montana.

Our constituents deserve a government that operates openly and fairly, where decisions are made in the best interests of the state as a whole rather than a privileged few. When procedural rules are bent or broken, it erodes public confidence in our institutions and sets a dangerous precedent for future legislative sessions. Transparency is a cornerstone of this republic.

As a new legislator, I am committed to upholding the values of accountability and transparency. I believe that these principles are essential for building trust with the people we serve and ensuring that our work reflects the diverse needs of all Montanans. This first week has strengthened my resolve to advocate for a more open and equitable legislative process.

Moving forward, I will work to hold myself and my colleagues to the highest standards of integrity. I encourage my fellow legislators to join me in prioritizing transparency and fairness in all that we do. You my constituents and the people of Montana deserve nothing less.

Sincerely,

Gregg Hunter

Senate District 15

[email protected]