Thoughts from the Middle of Nowhere

The Republicans in the state are really trying to make political hay over Gov. Schweitzer's veto of firefighter tax breaks now that fire season is really on us. This is blatantly politics and anybody with half a brain would realize this. Why didn't the Republicans make such a big issue out of it when the veto occurred? Why did they wait until there were several large fires burning in the state and then bring this up? Politics is the reason pure and simple. Hell, the tax breaks they are talking about only affects volunteer firefighters which doesn't affect most of the people fighting the big fires in the state. The Republicans are just trying to link these items up in peoples mind. The sad thing is that it will work in too many instances.

Talking about tax breaks though, why firefighters? Why are they the only ones that were targeted for this tax break? Aren't there other deserving people out there? Policemen, Nurses, farmers, ranchers, hell just about everyone else for that matter. Why just the one class of people? That is what I would like to know. Why can't all the residents of Montana get a tax break? Maybe that is what the Republicans should be focusing on instead of the hay they are trying to make. That is too logical though and would benefit too many people. Easier just to criticize those in charge. There has to be a better way of doing things.

They criticize me for harping on the obvious; if all the folks in the United States would do the few simple things they know they ought to do, most of our big problems would take care of themselves. Calvin Coolidge

Governor details range of clean-energy tax breaks

Gov. Brian Schweitzer wants property tax breaks as big as 75 percent for "clean and green" energy development and transmission, part of his effort to develop energy resources in the state.

Schweitzer unveiled details on the tax breaks Wednesday, which he hinted at during his State of the State address last week.

A leading Republican in the Legislature said he thought the incentive package would receive bipartisan support.

I'm really surprised by this one. Our Governor is not noted for wanting to give businesses tax breaks. Anytime you mention tax breaks and businesses the usual response is that you are talking "corporate welfare" and how bad that is.

I am glad to see this. This will give some incentive to utilize the States vast potential of energy we have. You know the Republicans will support this so the chances of getting through the Legislature is good. Montana Legislature helping out Businesses instead of taxing them more. What a surprise. I have to give Gov. Brian Schweitzer a kudos on this one.

Give tax breaks to large corporations, so that money can trickle down to the general public, in the form of extra jobs. Andrew Mellon