Michael K Madden

The lawmaker expresses caution about the override, arguing that across-the-board cuts are no longer feasible without specific legislative direction on which programs to cut.

The lawmaker supports reducing the appropriation amount because there was no satisfactory justification for how long the original funding would last.

The lawmaker opposes preappropriating funds for training programs because the specific needs are unknown at that time.

The lawmaker supports the program but argues for reducing funding because there is no money in the general fund and this amendment represents a final opportunity to control spending on such programs.

The lawmaker contends that failing to adopt the amendment results in a significant opportunity cost, sacrificing potential revenue from the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund by lending at artificially low rates.

The lawmaker supports the amendment because experts have recommended using a comparable wage index for years to achieve justice by preventing school districts from being overpaid or underpaid based on their location.

The lawmaker supports the amendment because current low rates are unrealistic compared to other loan programs and failing to raise them would cause financial loss for the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund.

The lawmaker opposes removing funds from driver services because the division has recently become self-sufficient through fee increases, and this change would wipe out those gains.

The lawmaker supports requiring a report on flared gas because without data on opportunity losses, it is difficult to prioritize studying the issue or determine if it warrants legislative attention.

The lawmaker supports the bill because rising delivery costs and lack of competition in a controlled state have made current markups too low compared to surrounding states.

The lawmaker argues against the bill because it creates a preference for out-of-state dealers over in-state ones, especially near state borders, and notes there is no mechanism to correct calculation mistakes.