News Release
Governor’s Legal Counsel Resigns for Family Reasons
5/28/2002
Barbara Ranf
406-444-3111
branf@state.mt.us
“Jeff is an outstanding individual, who provided an incredible perspective and knowledge base to the office,” said Governor Martz. “He is a true friend, and we will greatly miss his expertise in legal matters, as well as his advice on education issues.”
In addition to his duties as legal counsel, Hindoien served in an education advisory capacity to Governor Martz. In this role, he worked extensively on funding reform issues for K-12 education. He chaired the Governor’s K-12 Public School Funding Advisory Council, and traveled with the legislature’s interim education and local government committee with the goal of developing an effective education funding formula for the state’s public schools.
In his resignation letter to Governor Martz, Hindoien said, “It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve on your staff.”
He continued, “While it is simply the nature of the work, it is unfortunate that most Montanans will never know the truly profound amount of effort and energy that you have expended and will continue to expend in trying to make things better for the state. My experience in working with you, the Lieutenant Governor, our staff and cabinet has been a remarkable one, and it is extremely difficult on a personal level to leave a team that has come to mean a great deal to me… Most of all, however, I consider myself extremely lucky for having the opportunity to get to know you, to work for you, and to be a part of your valuable efforts to make this state a better place for all of us.”
Hindoien joined the Martz administration in January, 2001.
Martz will be seeking a replacement to serve as legal counsel for the office. In the interim, legal staff from various state agencies will provide legal assistance to the Governor’s office.
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