As the 2015 Montana Legislature draws to a close, many lawmakers are saying their goodbyes.
It’s like the last week of high school in the state house and senate, as lawmakers who’ve been term-limited out of office say their farewells. Wednesday was Republican Senator Debbie Barrett’s turn. In January, this rancher from Dillon became the first woman elected Senate president:
“I humbly thank each of you for allowing me this high honor and the great privilege of being your leader,” said Barrett.
Barrett praised her colleagues for seeking bipartisan solutions to the state’s problems, and admonished them against giving up power to the governor or state bureaucrats. She closed with a quote from Mark Twain.
“Always do what is right. It will gratify one half of mankind and astound the rest. Goodbye.”
Under law, Barrett has to leave the Senate after serving four terms. She could return to the House, where she started out in 2001, but instead Barrett says, she’s legislative toast.