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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMontana GOP takes aim at service dogs
The list of idiotic bills in the Montana legislature that was published here recently had a glaring omission: SB 364, introduced by GOP House member Donley Loge from St. Regis.
At a hearing on this bill last week, representative Loge said he is fearful that service dogs and their owners are perpetrating a massive fraud, and wants a new crime of fraudulently representing your dog. He said he believes that dogs are running rampant disguised as service dogs but are not truly providing service to their owners and are merely pets gaming the system. He said that dogs posing as service dogs are coming into grocery stores and other locations, in a fraudulent manner. The only other proponent for this bill was another state Republican legislator, Barry Usher, from Billings (when the only supporters of a bill are legislators, its not a good sign). In his testimony, Usher said that he was recently in an establishment trying to have a meal, but saw a service dog of a fraudulent nature, was outraged by it, and began considering the greater problem across society of fake service dogs who are making everyone suffer.
Also in attendance at the hearing were several service dogs whose owners testified. One dog growled at the bill sponsor during his testimony. I thought of reaching out to Republican leadership to ask why such a bill is needed, but I figured I might get a smarter response from one of the dogs who attended the hearing, a great dane. He says he helps his owner by preventing her from falling. She easily loses her balance and so she walks with one hand on her dogs back. Only a great dane is tall enough to serve this purpose.
In the future, the Montana GOP might do better if it not only allowed dogs to attend hearings, but also allowed them to draft the legislation.
http://mtcowgirl.com/2017/02/20/gop-takes-aim-at-service-dogs/
neeksgeek
(1,214 posts)Of course it's not.
CanonRay
(14,101 posts)and so they have time to waste on this shit.
Takket
(21,564 posts)to do
MontanaMama
(23,314 posts)Is still running its intermittent shit show of dumbass bills. It is so embarrassing. I recall the bill from two years ago attempting to outlaw yoga pants. That's not an Onion article. Serious as a heart attack. Gah!
shenmue
(38,506 posts)napi21
(45,806 posts)found these:
Montana lawmaker moves to classify yoga pants as 'indecent exposure'. Rep. David Moore
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/montana-lawmaker-moves-ban-yoga-pants-article-1.2111137
Montana lawmaker seeks to bring back the 'road beer' House Bill 206 would lift the ban on open alcohol containers for passengers in a vehicle on Montana highways. Drivers would still be restricted from drinking alcohol while operating a vehicle.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/20/montana-lawmaker-seeks-to-bring-back-road-beer.html
Montana Lawmaker Targets Judge Who Issued Cannabis Ruling Last month, District Judge James Reynolds of Helena said a drafting error in the medical cannabis ballot initiative inadvertently delayed the effective date to July. He ruled the measure which removed restrictions on the drugs distribution imposed by the Legislature in 2011 should be effective immediately, which allowed dispensaries across the state to reopen starting Dec. 7. The bill introduced Wednesday by Senate Majority Leader Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville, is the second measure this session in which Republicans in the Senate majority take issue with judicial rulings they say usurped their authority.
https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/montana-lawmaker-targets-judge-issued-cannabis-ruling
I know there are dumb proposals in all legislatures, but Montana seems to have several displaying their incompetence very recently!
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)Nailed it!
TexasTowelie
(112,167 posts)ProudLib72
(17,984 posts)to do its business on these assholes' lawns.
Corgigal
(9,291 posts)Is attack people's dogs? Wow, that is worst then stealing their health care. We, humans have pulled away from other people, but we're bring in furry children to allow us to nurture.
I knew a Trump was a crap human being because he doesn't share his life with an animal. They in turn teach us how to be a better person.
Oh well, hope they enjoy this power grab they have. It won't last long at thus rate.
Kimchijeon
(1,606 posts)I get it, no one believes the lady with the "service pomeranian" in her purse or let's say claiming that your ferret is 'your service animal' as it is perched on your shoulders, strolling through the grocery store.
Yeah probably a lot of people have rolled eyes at some of those claims. At the same time, who gives a shit. Let someone have their "service comfort hamster" with them at Wal-Mart. Maybe it's true, maybe it's not. WHO CARES.
Sure, there's bound to be jackasses who pretend in order to get their pet to come along wherever they go... but who cares!
Jeez they can't stand anyone getting help, even from a service animal. Sounds like they are just pissy that they can't take Fluffy to a restaurant. (Well why not, just claim it is providing you medical use... lol)
How nasty are they, to want to deny people the freedom of using service animals. DISGUSTING.
coco22
(1,258 posts)isn't it? If not they are throwing anything out there,how is this working for the people.
MontanaMama
(23,314 posts)This is the price we have to pay for the gift of living in Big Sky Country. These insane assholes keep rearing their rabid heads every legislative session. Fucking ridiculous and never ending evidence of Montanans voting against their own self interest.
coco22
(1,258 posts)"WE ARE DOING THIS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!" as though they are leaders doing WHATEVER for the greater good.
LeftInTX
(25,305 posts)MrScorpio
(73,631 posts)More so than these two GOPr yahoos.