These are truly exciting times to be a Montana Democrat!  After well more than a decade when Montana was defined by economic stagnation, regressive governmental policies, and a political climate characterized by fear and divisiveness, our community and state are finally moving forward.  For those of us who fought the good fight during those “lean and mean” times, the current political climate shows us what truly is possible when cooperation and progressive goals replace hostility and discord.

It is rare that a newspaper would endorse legislation allowing closure of a kind of government meeting, but today that's what we're doing.

We're talking about House Bill 517 by Rep. Galen Hollenbaugh, D-Helena, to close debriefing sessions held among emergency service personnel and stress management personnel in the aftermath of a "critical incident."

Although it seems like just yesterday I was standing on doorsteps and discussing issues important to you and your families, I wanted to let you know what’s been happening during the first half of the legislative session. We are working hard on the issues you care about.

Rep. Galen Hollenbaugh has been endorsed by these organizations:

Whew!  Where does the time go?  It seems like only yesterday that I had the honor of serving the people of District 81 in the Montana House of Representatives.  Since that time, so much has happened:  two summers have passed and we are now poised for another spectacular Montana fall.

Independent Record - 01/17/08 A legislator appointed last session to fill the seat of one of Helena's longest-serving current representatives has announced his campaign to return to the state House in 2009. More...

Details of the announcement can be found here.

Rep. Hollenbaugh earned a 100% voting record with the Montana AFL-CIO during the 2007 Legislative Session. Rep. Hollenbaugh stood with Montana working families in positive votes for the state employee pay plan, urging Congress to reform the health care system, and an increase in unemployment benefits.

Details of Rep. Hollenbaugh's voting record can be found on the Montana AFL-CIO's website.

From the NPRC 2007 Legislative voting record.

"Many good bills, including all of Northern Plains’ priority bills, failed to make it out of House committees. Most died on party-line votes. It was frustrating to sit through long hearings knowing that bills would be tabled. Nonetheless, we were able to bring our message to many friendly legislators, particularly a group of young freshman House members and several Senate stalwarts who hold great promise for positive leadership in the future."

Montana Conservation Voters released their 2007 Legislative Scorecard and Galen Hollenbaugh earned a 100% pro-conservation voting record. Rep. Hollenbaugh and several other freshman legislators were noted in the report as "new conservation champions" in the Montana House of Representatives.

The MCV positively scored Hollenbaugh on several important votes including affirming stream access, supporting the quality growth act, setting a biodiesel standard, supporting fuel efficiency for state vehicles and opposing a motion to roll-back MEPA.