What’s happening with House State Affairs has the attention of a number of people in the State Legislature, as State Representative Will Mortenson has apparently updated the ground rules for the committee and is running a far tighter ship than people may have experienced in the past:
He said Wednesday that night meetings would be scheduled only as “a last resort.” He doesn’t plan to delay bill hearings for amendments and said the committee won’t take remote testimony.
As for what he described as “repeated issues” that the committee has already voted on, Mortenson said those will receive “shorter but equal” time for testimony, “no matter how contested.”
The “No remote testimony” rule stands out, as it changes the landscape. If you want to be heard on a measure, you need to go to Pierre and show up.
I think there’s good and bad in that, but we’ll see.
Rep. Mortenson is a talented and well reasoned person.
I am surprised he has taken the step to prevent remote testimony. It’s a concerning development as the Legisature exists to serve the people. This decision cuts off an avenue for individuals to make their voice heard. I have not been aware of remote testimony taking up too much time in prior years as it needed to be cleared with the Chair for each hearing anyways.
This is a disappointing decision.
Heaven forbid they have night meetings and miss their beloved socials. Don’t forget that the working class might have a better chance to to participate either. It’s 2.5 months, suck it up!
Or maybe you should be doing a better job spreading the load to other policy committees instead of clogging up state affairs!
The committee in question starts at 0745, which means one must be gathering materials by 0730, which means you best start your breakfasting at 0600 if you want to get a proper one. So having to get up at 0500 and then working until 2200 is unrealistic for fellows of a more mature age.
Young Mr. Mortenson seems righter than right. We will see if they go bonk bonk on the head to some law bills later on.
The remote testimony was beginning to get out of hand the past couple of years, what with out of state “experts” calling in and a few lunatics getting their 15 minutes of fame. It truly is a good tool if used wisely, yet folks have taken advantage. There should be some happy medium so that those who just can’t make it to Pierre can get their voices heard.