Governors’ Encouragement Falls On Deaf Ears

The Montana Senate has voted down Governor Brian Schweitzer’s proposed amendment to a bill challenging Federal Health Care. The bill would require the Montana Attorney General to join a Florida lawsuit, challenging the constitutionality of Health Care Reform. The Governor's amendment would have changed the wording, from require to encourage. He argues it is likely unconstitutional for one branch of government to require another branch to take such an action, and his amendment would have let the attorney general exercise his judgment on how to litigate for the state. Senator Jason Priest says the Governor's amendment eliminates the force behind the legislation.