Montana Democratic leader denounces Arntzen's education caucus

HELENA — Though leadership on both sides of the aisle emphasized working together on day one of Montana's 2017 legislative session, the announcement of an education caucus by Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen was met with opposition by a Democratic leader on day two.

Arntzen announced a bipartisan education caucus as one of her legislative priorities during the Indian Education For All Rotunda Day. Tom Facey, the Democratic senate minority whip and member of the senate’s Education and Cultural Resources Committee, said he would not participate.

Arntzen said the caucus, which will meet weekly starting next Wednesday, will bring politicians together to serve 145,000 public school students. Facey said the caucus is ironic considering Arntzen’s legislative voting record.

“She was here for 12 years and was not an enthusiastic supporter of public education for kids,” Facey said.

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/news/government-and-politics/democratic-leader-denounces-arntzen-s-education-caucus/article_a23f3ffe-015d-5a48-860c-c33f25df86c8.html