South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has expressed strong support for President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as the next U.S. Attorney General. “I served with, and was impressed by, Pam as Florida’s Attorney General,” Jackley said in a statement. “She is an experienced prosecutor who will strengthen the relationship Read More…
he Montana Department of Commerce announced today that 26 rural safety agencies will receive more than $1.4 million in grant funding to enhance emergency service capabilities in areas experiencing increased tourism. The funding, allocated through the Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Grant Program (METAP), aims to strengthen public safety across rural communities. “Emergency services are critical Read More…
In a bipartisan effort to safeguard and improve America’s public lands, Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Senator Angus King (I-Maine), joined by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), have introduced the “America the Beautiful Act.” This landmark legislation seeks to reauthorize and enhance the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), Read More…
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has begun accepting applications and nominations to fill a district court judge vacancy in the Seventh Judicial District, which serves Dawson, Prairie, McCone, Richland, and Wibaux Counties. The vacancy was officially announced on November 18, 2024, following a notification from the chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court. Qualified attorneys in 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…
On Wednesday morning, the United States Senate voted to confirm Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke as Secretary of the Depart of Interior on a vote of 63 to 31. Both of Montana’s Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester voted to confirm Zinke. The Whitefish native will become the first Montanan to serve in a Cabinet position. 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…
The Wyoming Legislature has passed a bill that will require large retailers that don’t have a presence in the state – including online retailers – to collect sales tax on purchases that are delivered into Wyoming. As long as House Bill 19/House Enrolled Act 41 makes it past Gov. Matt Mead’s desk, the law Read More…
A Senate committee on Wednesday tightened a bill that deals with penalties for possession of marijuana-infused products. House Bill 197 originally created a tiered penalty system for possession of small amounts of marijuana or marijuana-infused products. The penalty system applied to possession of marijuana in plant form of less than 3 ounces and marijuana-infused products 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…
Andrew Puzder withdrew his nomination Wednesday to be secretary of labor after Senate Republicans informed the White House that he lacked the votes to be confirmed. GOP senators advised the White House that Puzder could not pass through the narrowly divided Senate, sources said, and shortly thereafter the White House confirmed his intention to pull Read More…
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is trying to clear the traffic jam of votes on six of President Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees, including Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke, who stands to be confirmed as the next interior secretary. McConnell filed cloture on Monday night for Rep. Mick Mulvaney, who will head the office of management and 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
State lawmakers are continuing to work on Wyoming’s supplemental budget bill, and a committee is expected to be appointed today to iron out the differences in the House and Senate versions of the budget. The House passed its version of the budget Monday, and the Senate passed its version Friday. From Wyoming Business Report
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
President Donald Trump’s controversial executive orders on immigration and refugees — which were immediately challenged in federal court — brought into sharp relief the high political and legal stakes for the Supreme Court fight that will unfold this week. With Trump planning to announce his nominee on Tuesday night, his allies are moving quickly to Read More…
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…
Dark. Negative. Divisive. That’s was the immediate narrative about President Donald Trump’s inaugural address. But many Americans liked it. A new POLITICO/Morning Consult poll shows that the new president’s message is resonating with voters, refuting the idea that Trump bungled his first speech as commander in chief. From Politico
Embattled State Sen. Bill Kintner resigned Wednesday from the Nebraska Legislature following months of criticism from lawmakers, constituents and Gov. Pete Ricketts. The resignation is effective Jan. 30. From Omaha World-Herald
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…
At 12:01 p.m. Friday, Donald Trump’s aides will deploy a team of temporary political appointees into federal agencies to begin laying the groundwork for the president-elect’s agenda while his nominees await Senate confirmation, sources familiar with the plan told POLITICO. While the transition team has been building the so-called beachhead teams for months, they are Read More…
Ivanka Trump dispelled speculation that she will be filling in as a surrogate first lady or occupying the East Wing office of the White House, traditionally reserved for the president’s wife. Speculation that Ivanka Trump will fill in for incoming first lady Melania Trump started swirling after Trump transition sources said Melania Trump was not Read More…
President-elect Donald Trump will likely issue as many as five executive orders on Friday after his inauguration, the Washington Examiner reported. “He’s got a few of them, probably in the area of four to five, that we’re looking at on Friday,” incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer said. From News Max
White House press secretary Josh Earnest defended President Barack Obama’s decision to commute the prison sentence of soldier Chelsea Manning, who was convicted of leaking hundreds of thousands of classified documents to Wikileaks. He also accused Republicans of being hypocritical in their criticism of the move. From News Max