George Ochenski wades through the dark talk in Helena-budget woes, energy issues, partisan bickering-to foreshadow the 2009 Legislature.

By: George Ochenski

The 2009 legislative session started Jan. 5 and, from the looks of it, will be characterized primarily by fire and ice. The fire comes from the push for more coal-fired power plants and the inevitable heated clashes between the political parties. The budget, meanwhile, will be iced to compensate for plummeting revenues in the ongoing national economic collapse.