Bergren Releases Statement on Failure of ‘Bonus’ Bill

Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives Bob Bergren (D-Havre) today released a statement in response to the news that the House State Administration Committee tabled  House Bill 358 on Thursday. Bergren sponsored the bill that would have made it illegal for a statewide elected official to pay his or her personal staff any type of bonus or special compensation between the date of the general election and the date that the official’s term in office expired.

Bergren sought the legislation after news reports that former Secretary of State Brad Johnson awarded nearly $58,000 in “performance awards” to nine appointed staff members in the final days of his administration.

“Its disappointing that the committee failed to act on an issue as clear cut as this. This bill is about good clean government and protecting taxpayer money. It’s not an issue that needs a study, a commission, a panel, or any other kind of political foot-dragging.

As with most Montanans, I believe there should be strict restrictions in place to stop elected officials from handing out tens-of-thousands of dollars in 11th hour cash to political appointees at the end of term.”

Also Friday the State Administration Committee tabled HB 594, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Hunter (D-Helena). Hunter’s bill would have put a $1,000 limit on bonuses to any state employee.