News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 22, 2000
Contact: Anastasia Burton
(406) 444-5523

Governor-Elect Martz Announces Legislative Priority

(HELENA)---Today, Governor-Elect Judy Martz released the first in a series of proposals of her multi-faceted Jobs and Opportunities Initiative to improve Montana's economy. The first legislative priority of the Martz Administration will focus on affordable energy for job creation, the result of suggestions from the Jobs and Initiative Forum held recently under the leadership of Congressman Rick Hill.

"One of the reasons I chose Congressman Hill to lead this effort is that I wanted substantive results. I did not want this meeting to lead to endless meetings," Martz said. "I'm pleased that the first meeting produced a framework to address specific problems in our state."

Martz was referring to the Jobs and Initiative Forum held December 12 at the Colonial Inn in Helena. At that meeting, Governor-Elect Judy Martz, Lieutenant-Elect Karl Ohs and Congressman Rick Hill heard from a series of business and interest group leaders who addressed action items to help turn around Montana's economy.

"First, I want the incoming legislature to address our energy policy," said Martz. "One of the keys to economic development is affordable, reliable power. We don't want the California power problem to migrate to Montana. And if we are to prosper, we need more power generation. I believe we can create an environment for safe, clean, reliable power generation. This will in turn provide the backbone for better paying jobs for Montana."

Martz has directed her staff to work with legislative leadership to pursue legislation that encompasses the following principles:

1) The Major Facilities Citing Act is a major barrier to construction of new generation facilities;

2) Construction of generation facilities can be encouraged with lower tax rates on new capital investment;

3) Large power users should be given a one-time opportunity to buy back into the power grid;

4) The Public Service Commission (PSC) should be encouraged to name the default power provider by January 15 and have rules in place by June 1; and

5) The state must be prepared to assure that the default supplier will have long term contracts in place.

Governor-Elect Judy Martz will release additional legislative priorities resulting from the Jobs and Initiative Forum in the upcoming days prior to the convening of the 2001 Legislature.