This is hard to believe. Steve Gallus is too lazy to be guilty of doing anything.

Carter, once again you fail Montana. Do your research about the companies involved in Hardin prison. Every company involved have been named in a bribery scandal in Texas over the same thing, building a prison without any contract or prisoners. Hill-Mills Co., CiviGenics and Capital Market were all named in paying off county officials to get tax free bonds. Corruption, the only corruption is your politically motivated attempt to influence Montanans for a Texas corporation who makes money locking up Montanans.

Had Gallus served on RFP committees for the Dept. of Administration or something, I might see a conflict of interest. However, serving on a Senate committee tells me that someone with relevant experience is doing us a public service. Someone with knowledge of how responsible corrections works is being critical of a company building a prison nobody wants (or needs for that matter) and they're accused of corruption? No wonder we imprison more people than China.

Oh Clearwater, you make a very weak case, but thanks for trying. MzLiz is right on, I've watched Gallus during his entire legislative career and the only thing I've ever seen him pull out of that backpack he carries to work with him everyday is his lunch.

After working for CCCS for several years i found that the company is shady all around (in my opinion).

It wouldn't surprise me a bit if foul play was at hand. Seriously, we're talking about multiple millions of dollars and long contracts.

All i can say is i am glad i dont work there anymore!

I've watched Gallus during his entire legislative career and the only thing I've ever seen him pull out of that backpack he carries to work with him everyday is his lunch.

You must have me confused with another member. I have never carried a backpak in the capitol.

You are much like the folks that are making false accusations about me and my involvment in the Hardin Jail Controversey. You do not know me you do not know what I stand for and yet you have an opinion about me. I rarely respond to blogs but when I do I always use my real name, its keeps people honest, and again I am not a backpak kinda guy.

Dear Mr. Carter,
You seem to be a knowledgable fellow, so I'm surprised that you would question Sen. Steve Gallus's involvement in a serious issue in his role as a state Senator. By your standards, Sen. Keith Bales and Sen. Jim Peterson shouldn't speak out on ranching and agriculture issues; Sen. Joe Balyeat better keep quiet about accounting and taxes; and Sen. Jim Shockley will have to close his case on judicial and legal matters. The good people of Hardin have been "had" by some slick Texans, and the local paper is simply playing boosterism by blaming someone else for their problems.

Carter I believe you have struck a nerve and me thinks Mr. Gallus and his fan club 'doth protest too much'. And NO Mr. Gallus I don't have you confused with anyone else, the backpack is green canvas and it matches up perfectly with the granola-greenies you run with. And as for using a 'real name' this is a blog, so if your advice is good, maybe Viola and Clearwater will take it as well.

Revisionist - I'm not taking sides on this issue, and I'll openly admit that I don't know enough about the issue to take a side. This posting is all about ethics, and I think the details of the situation are less important than the apparent ethical lapse by Senator Gallus.

Viola - It's not illegal for a legislator to vote on issues that affect them - but they are ethically required to disclose when a vote affects them financially. The number-one profession in the legislature is teachers, and they get to vote on funding increases.

This is a serious enough situation to warrant an "investigation" by the legislative Auditor because apparently Senator Gallus did not disclose any conflicts of interest that he might have. Your comparison between Senator Gallus and other members of the legislature is all wet.