Schweitzer Shakes Finger at “Pointy Heads”

Business Politics

By Courtney Lowery, 2-20-06

In case you missed it, Lee's Chuck Johnson has a classic story detailing an exchange between Gov. Brian Schweitzer and two University of Montana professors who questioned Montana's business environment.

Professors Jack Morton and Michael Harrington said in a report released recently, "Whenever we compare Montana's business sector to surrounding states, we are envious. We often wonder why Montana hasn't grown more of the types of firms that we see in our neighboring states of Idaho and South Dakota."

The Schweitzer take: "If these pointy headed people would get out of the university classroom to meet with someone that actually started a business or has a business or is planning to, they might hear a little different story."

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By Courtney Lowery, 2-20-06 | comments (3) | email story | print story

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By Jesse, 2-20-06

Morton does have a point, right-to -work and at-will labor policies do favor business development. Unfortunate that Montana bears the backlash-burden of the mining industry's abuses on so many levels.

By Jim Fleischmann, 2-21-06

Right on, Brian. Businesses (and their various proxies) have been using the "better business climate" issue for years as an excuse to whine for lower taxes, weakened environmental regs, etc. "Let's eliminate the minimum wage to improve our business climate!"

We need to support and/or attract businesses that will willingly pay their fair share of the public burden and respect our right to a clean and healthful environment.

By JK, 2-22-06

Same tune: different pimp musicians. Thanks gov for having savy, as well as fortitude to tell it the way it is. I was in Gov. Judge's office in 1970's & wrote Policy statement on Economy vs. environment. Also taught econ at college level for 25 years. Bus prof's- get the facts before you try to BS us. More later in editorial perhaps.
PS Went to grad school with PoLzin. Sorry Paul- no MT Power Board like your predecssor Dorothy cuz smart guys sold off our power & now Gannon & other golden parachutes living behind gated community on Flathead lake. Try getting a meal Gannon in M&M;in Butte!!!

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