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and my daughter running the business day to day while in session. My son-law also works for me and keeps the business mechanically running. So without that support I wouldn’t be a Senator today.
3. WHAT BACKGROUND AND/OR SKILLS FROM YOUR JOB/BUSINESS/CAREER DO YOU FEEL GIVE YOU EXTRA EXPERTISE TO BE A BETTER, MORE EFFECTIVE LEGISLATOR?
My background in business has help tremendously
on How I legislate during the session. Understanding of the program of the state and how they effectively effect business in the state. Understanding how money is raised and spent helps understanding of bonding issues, infrastructure, education, natural resources and state economic development. So as a business owner I feel I have a head above the crowd in understanding policy decisions made by the legislature body.
4. WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME REWARDING MOMENTS SO FAR THIS SESSION?
Nothing in this great
state capital comes easy
and if you have the humble opportunity to see one of
your bills getting sign by the Governor is very rewarding experience. Knowing you
have made Montana better
in some way is the reward
of long hours, emotional ups
and downs and time away
from what you may enjoy otherwise.
So, the knowledge that I have gain is priceless and the relationship built and doing the work of the people of this great states has been well worth the experience of serving in the Senate.
REPRESENTATIVE ROB FARRIS-OLSEN
HOUSE DISTRICT 79
1. WHAT IS YOUR JOB/BUSINESS/CAREER – OUTSIDE OF BEING A LEGISLATOR?
I am an attorney at Morrison, Sherwood, Wilson & Deola, where I practice consumer law.
2. WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE IN KEEPING YOUR JOB/BUSINESS/CAREER GOING WHILE SERVING THE FOUR MONTHS OF THE LEGISLATURE?
It is di cult to manage running my law practice while serving four months. However, I am lucky to have a great team to work with at Morrison, Sherwood, Wilson & Deola. For the most part, my colleagues cover for me while I’m away. In the few cases that they can’t, I’ve managed to set deadlines that occur after the session, and I have minimized taking on new cases. Overall, my practice has not slowed too much because of the diligent work of my colleagues.
3. WHAT BACKGROUND AND SKILLS FROM YOUR JOB/BUSINESS/CAREER DO YOU FEEL GIVE YOU EXTRA EXPERTISE TO BE A BETTER, MORE EFFECTIVE LEGISLATOR?
My background in law is particularly useful. Not only does it help me understand the constitutional and legal
issues, but it also facilitates speaking on bills both in committee and on the oor. That, coupled with my decade doing debate and my time on the city commission, creates comfort speaking
in front of other legislators and the public. These skills are useful both in evaluating legislation and advocating for or against certain bills.
4. WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME REWARDING MOMENTS SO FAR THIS SESSION?
Perhaps the most rewarding experience this session was watching Helena students advocate HB 477,
which would require that a gun safety curriculum is developed. Rep. Funk sponsored the bill, but some Helena students, from across the district came and advocated. It is incredibly rewarding to watch students create, defend and advocate for signi cant change in their community. Especially when, their bill, directly affects Helena’s students. ■
SPRING 2019
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