The session has ended much like it started, an election involving Representative Mike Lange.  MOTTO assigned the "twilight zone" label to this session early on, and it certainly had a TZ'esque finale.  After rallying around the embattled majority leader for 90 days, compromise just wasn't the right fit for Lange, or Lange for continued republican party leadership.  While bloggers and media will speculate the reasons for the ouster was really the Governor's & Langes deal and not the famed "you tube" moment, the truth is really found in both, as both led to Lange carrying HB5, the tax bill.   HB5 led to the former majority leaders demise.  

In the grand scheme of things, the meeting of the 13 probably wouldn't have happened without the Lange tirade.  The nationally embarrassing event only strengthened the Governor and weakened the resolve of many in the GOP.  Ultimately, it certainly weakened any opportunity for the success of a stronger GOP influenced tax proposal or budget package.  It was either karma or ego (perhaps a bit of both) that Lange came to sponsor the tax bill.

Among the moderates pushing a compromise, those northcentral Montana republican legislators had little choice, as the tax credits found in the energy bill were vital to the area and the upcoming transmission & energy plans. While Rep's Jones and Clark had some influence with the caucus on energy & the budget (particularly human services), they didn't have the ammo to push an almost completely executive influenced tax bill sponsored by a leader who had lost his faithfuls' support.

Compromise or the meeting of minds does not influence elections.  While looking at the pros and cons of supporting HB5, little political capital would come from support.  While legislators may have wanted the business equipment tax proposal to pass, the politicians of the group certainly didn't.  The latter prevailed.   

A start and an end politically influenced.  Imagine that.  Good night, Gracie.