WHITEFISH—Republican congressional nominee Aaron Flint and Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino joined local residents in Whitefish on Friday for a rally supporting Border Patrol and local law enforcement, while Flint used the event to criticize Democratic opponent Sam Forstag’s lobbying record on immigration and criminal-justice issues. The gathering drew roughly 40 people near the Whitefish Read More…
WASHINGTON—Montana Sen. Tim Sheehy is calling for greater congressional scrutiny of former special counsel Jack Smith as lawmakers consider changes to the rules governing secret government demands for private records. Sheehy’s comments follow disclosures from the Senate Judiciary Committee’s investigation of Arctic Frost, the federal inquiry that ultimately became part of Smith’s investigation of President Read More…
MISSOULA—Republican congressional nominee Aaron Flint unveiled a tax-relief proposal in Missoula this week while seeking to make Democratic opponent Sam Forstag’s past lobbying work a central issue in Montana’s 1st Congressional District race. Flint’s proposal calls for making permanent federal tax breaks on tips and overtime, eliminating federal taxes on military pensions, ending the estate Read More…
HELENA, Mont. — Montana’s U.S. Senate race is entering its final stretch with millions of dollars in outside spending, a dispute over a television advertisement targeting Republican Kurt Alme and growing scrutiny of independent candidate Seth Bodnar’s record leading the University of Montana. The four-way contest to replace retiring Republican Sen. Steve Daines includes Alme, Read More…
The Montana Legislature is responsible for accomplishing a great deal during the 90 days it meets every two years. But lawmakers are actually only constitutionally required to do one thing — create and pass a state budget. Last week, the House of Representatives got one step closer to that goal. Fifty-six days into the session, Read More…
While campaign for the Democrat nomination to replace Congressman Ryan Zinke, Rob Quist supported a national gun registry; now that he has the nomination he is trying to walk back his earlier comments. In late January, Quist, a 69 year old banjo player and singer from Creston, told the Bozeman Chronicle, “You register your car Read More…
Helena – Representative Carl Glimm (R-Kila) announced the Montana locker room privacy act on Thursday. The bill would create a ballot referendum that would protect privacy for people in locker rooms and showers in public schools and other government facilities by barring men from women’s facilities. “The government has a duty to protect the privacy, Read More…
Helena – Two Democrat lawmakers are proposing legislation to enact a limited sales tax in Montana. Both bills would allow local residents to vote whether or not to pass the tax in their communities. Representative David Fern (D-Whitefish) introduced House Bill 577 which was heard in the House Taxation committee this week and awaits further Read More…
A Flathead Valley musician took to the stage on Monday evening in downtown Whitefish for a new reason — campaigning for Montana’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. About 120 people gathered at Casey’s Pub and Grill for a campaign kick-off event for Rob Quist, a Creston-area musician and the Democratic nominee for the Read More…
Supporters of a bill aimed at reducing property taxes in Montana say the agricultural industry needs help because of dropping commodity prices. House Bill 558 would reduce the amount of property taxes agricultural landowners and commercial properties pay in the state. Agricultural landowners would see a tax reduction of .15 percent, and commercial landowners, .11 Read More…
A bill introduced at the Legislature calls for legalizing the game of blackjack, or twenty-one, in Montana, and dividing the tax proceeds among pension, educational, social services and tribal scholarship programs. Rep. Wylie Galt, R-Martinsdale, is sponsoring House Bill 578, which would allow up to three live blackjack games in a bar or casino and Read More…
A bill limiting the length of contracts for small, renewable power projects would undercut a $100 million-plus proposed solar-power project near Billings, an attorney for the developer says. “We are at the point right now where my clients are coming into this state and saying, `We want to do business here’ – and Senate Bill Read More…
Establishing public charter schools and an increase in the fuel tax took up much of the discussion during a town hall meeting featuring State Sen. Steve Hinebauch, R-Wibaux, and Rep. Scott Staffanson, R-Sidney, in Sidney on Saturday night. The meeting took place during the midway point of the Montana legislative session. Sidney Superintendent of Schools Read More…
About a dozen Flathead residents opposed to a controversial water-bottling plant proposed in Creston testified in the Montana State Capitol Wednesday afternoon, lending their support to legislation that would subject the facility to an additional environmental review before it can be approved. Sen. Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork, is sponsoring Senate Bill 215, which would add water-packaging Read More…
Montana’s campaign regulator has reached a settlement with two elite universities whose professors caught grief for experimenting with Montana voters in 2014. In it Stanford and Dartmouth universities agreed to pay the state a combined $13,599. The cash and a previous apology from the universities’ presidents — mailed to all Montana voters at a cost Read More…
Helena – Democratic Congressional candidate Rob Quist’s campaign says it will only take political action committee (PAC) money from unions and liberal special interest groups. In a statement released to the media on Wednesday, the banjo player and singer turned politician said he will not accept any PAC money from committees associated with corporations. Campaign Read More…
Helena – Governor Steve Bullock vetoed House Bill 202 which would have provided new protections for state employee whistleblowers. The bill sponsored by Representative Kirk Wagoner passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support. It would add new protections for public employees who report “matters of public concern” to the legislature. In a press Read More…
Helena – On Monday night, Bozeman businessman Greg Gianforte easily secured the Republican nomination for the special election to replace Congressman Ryan Zinke. Gianforte was selected in the first round of voting securing 150.5 votes, 123 votes were needed to win the nomination. Greg Gianforte beat out six other Republican candidates, Rep. Carl Glimm, Sen. Read More…
Helena – At their special convention on Sunday, March 5, Democrats nominated banjo player and singer Rob Quist to run under their party’s banner to fill Montana’s congressional seat that was vacated by Ryan Zinke, who was sworn in as Interior Secretary last week. Rob Quist currently resides in the Flathead Valley and was nominated Read More…
Gov. Steve Bullock says he believes the Montana Board of Regents would have to at least consider closing a state campus to make up for the $23.3 million budget cut proposed in the current Legislature. Bullock made the comment Wednesday while meeting with the Chronicle’s editorial board. The Democratic governor came to advocate Read More…
Here’s a look at the people hoping to replace Ryan Zinke as Montana’s congressional representative. There are eight Democrats hoping for their party’s nomination. Amanda Curtis is a member of Montana House of Representative… She sponsored the “hire Montana first act”. When not in session Curtis works as a high school math teacher… She serves Read More…
State Sen. Eric Moore, R-Miles City, was expected to introduce legislation this afternoon to modernize the way workers’ compensation insurance is purchased in Montana. The measure, if approved, would eliminate the state-operated Montana State Fund, which is currently the largest provider of workers’ compensation insurance in the state. The bill would allow for greater competition Read More…
Helena – A Democrat legislator from Bozeman has introduced a bill to raise the state income tax. House bill 452, by Representative Tom Woods would cost taxpayers more than $78 Million over the next 4 years. If it becomes law, Rep. Tom Woods’ bill would increase income taxes by $6.6 million in fiscal 2018, $24.5 Read More…
Two Republican state lawmakers from Hamilton are asking for $5.5 million to expand a healthcare program. “This bill is not only a good bill, it may be the most important we have to do all session.” That’s Representative Nancy Ballance. She and Representative Ron Ehli are teaming up to spend more public money on healthcare Read More…
Some House Republicans on Tuesday defended their party’s work on the public health and human services budget for the next two years and offered cost-saving ideas to ensure more is spent on critical human services for the elderly, disabled and children. At a press conference, House Majority Leader Ron Ehli, R-Hamilton, said Republicans wanted Read More…
Distillers and a brewer testified at the Montana Capitol on Wednesday to support a bill that would make their businesses operate under the same tasting room laws. Montana breweries can serve up to 48 ounces of beer per customer until 8 p.m., and it may be consumed on premise until 9 p.m. Distilleries can Read More…
Montana’s Democratic Senator Jon Tester said Monday there is an agenda behind new attack ads aimed at the politician. The ads from the Judicial Crisis Network claim Tester is threatening to block support for Supreme Court Judge nominee Neil Gorsuch, creating gridlock in Washington. From KULR 8
Some health advocacy groups on Monday said they are supporting a draft bill to raise the state tax on cigarettes by $1.50 a pack to boost it to $3.20 a pack. Montana’s current cigarette tax of $1.70 a pack ranks 22nd highest nationally and hasn’t been raised since 2005, backers said. The national average Read More…
Helena – A recently released state audit that included the Montana Department of Transportation shows that MDT gave out raises to 82% of employees while postponing construction projects and asking the legislature to raise the state gas tax. The audited conducted by the Legislative Audit Division revealed that MDT handed out raises of $2.4 Million Read More…
Kelly McCarthy is a long-shot hopeful for the Montana Democratic nomination in the U.S. House election, according to a recent poll. Ahead of him are musician Rob Quist and schoolteacher Amanda Curtis. From Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Helena – Despite months of campaigning on fiscal responsibility and opposition to a statewide sales tax, Governor Steve Bullock is now supporting a raising the state fuel tax. At a contentious confirmation hearing this week, Department of Transportation director Mike Tooley admitted the Bullock administration wanted to propose an increase in the fuel tax but Read More…
Montana educators expressed their concerns to Montana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen at an education conference on Thursday. Arntzen stopped by the Montana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals Conference in Great Falls to update attendees on various areas of education since taking over office in December. From KTVQ
Only two people filed applications by Friday’s deadline to indicate their desire to replace the state’s commissioner of political practices, Jon Motl. Michael Larson of Billings submitted his application to be the state’s campaign watchdog last week. Larson was a Billings City Commissioner from 1996 to 2004, a nonpartisan office. From Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Helena – Montana Attorney General Tim Fox has issued an Attorney General opinion that nullifies a Missoula City Council ordinance that would require background checks for private gun purchases within Missoula city limits. Fox ruled Thursday that the ordinance violates state law stating that, “Plainly interpreted, the Montana Legislature has prohibited all forms of local Read More…
Helena – More than 300 people rallied at the capitol Wednesday in support of school choice. Supporters are asking the Legislature to support several bills this session. Montana is one of only three states in the nation with no form of school choice. “Every student deserves the chance to find his or her perfect educational Read More…
Lawmakers are considering a bill that seeks state funding for 19-year-old high school students. Currently, Montana only funds students who are age 18 or younger at the start of the academic year. Democratic Rep. Jean Price of Great Falls introduced her bill Monday. The House Education Committee heard testimony in favor, but did not take Read More…
Sen. Steve Daines is praising President Donald J. Trump’s executive action to move forward with the Keystone XL pipeline. “The Keystone XL pipeline will create good-paying Montana union and tribal jobs,” Daines stated. “After years of talk and political nonsense, I couldn’t be more thrilled that President Trump has heeded my call to move forward Read More…
The nation’s capital descended into inauguration madness today. Masked protesters smashing store windows. A former America’s Got Talent competitor crooning “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Our new president promising a skittish country that “I will never, ever let you down.” Quite a ways down the coast, at Miami’s Turnberry Isle Resort, politicians and progressive donors are presently Read More…
Four Republican members of the Montana House pitched four bills to the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday that aim to change the state’s gun laws, including allowing anyone to carry a concealed pistol without a permit. Rep. Randy Brodehl of Kalispell said House Bill 246 reaffirms a Montanan’s right to possess firearms in a U.S. post Read More…
Helena – Montana’s state budget has been the biggest issue of the legislative session so far, that will likely continue when Governor Steve Bullock delivers the annual State of the State address this week. When he released his budget proposal in November, Bullock said in a press release that “Montanans expect our state’s leaders to Read More…
Montana musician Rob Quist is touring the state, not performing songs, but meeting with local Democrats who could grant Quist his wish to become their party’s nominee in an anticipated special election. U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, the Montana Republican tapped to become the next secretary of the interior, is expected to resign shortly after Read More…
“I ride my bike every day all year long and I do it because it makes me feel good,” said Bike Walk Montana Board Member and Montana Cycling Advocate. Taylor Lonsdale. Traveling the state on two wheels could get a little more challenging, a new proposed bill would ban cyclists on two lane roads that do Read More…
The state Senate’s Business, Labor & Economic Affairs Committee on Wednesday delayed voting on legislation that hopes to protect Montanans from exorbitant air ambulance bills so that it could consider amendments. Committee Chair Sen. Ed Buttrey, R-Great Falls, had substantial amendments drafted for SB 44, the bipartisan air ambulance committee bill being carried by Republican Read More…
Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education, was met with a harsh reality check of what this role might entail. Some onlookers including teachers around the nation have criticized DeVos for her ideas on public education. Teachers across the county were wearing red Thursday to show their support for public education and sending a message Read More…