Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, talks about the 2019 legislative session on the Montana Lowdown podcast. Credit: John S. Adams / MTFP

Republicans Llew Jones and Nancy Ballance reflect on 2019 Legislative Outcomes

Nancy Ballance, R-Hamilton, speaks on the House floor during the final day of the 2019 Legislative session. Credit: Eric Dietrich / Montana Free Press

Republican Reps. Llew Jones and Nancy Ballance are arguably two of the most influential lawmakers in the Montana Legislature.

Their admirers see them as pragmatic problem solvers committed to finding bipartisan solutions to issues facing the state.

Their detractors say they are central figures in a group of “Republicans in name only” who are too quick to side with Democrats to pass policy and budget proposals that deviate from conservative principles.

A day after the session ended, Jones and Ballance gave their perspective on what they achieved and didn’t achieve in the 2019 Legislature.

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John Adams began his professional career in 2001 in Idaho Falls, ID writing and editing for a variety of trade magazines. He covered topics ranging from potato and sugar beet farming to skate park and playground construction and maintenance. Adams started his newspaper career as the city government reporter for the Daily Jefferson County Union in Fort Atkinson, WI where he covered the City Hall, police, fire and local courthouse beats. In 2005 he joined the staff of the Missoula Independent in Missoula, MT where he worked as a staff reporter covering a wide range of issues including the environment,...