Click any of the articles below to read the most recent news about Montana politics and elections.
Montana Politics Latest
-
Funding boost will help Montana address abandoned mine lands
“The mantra for the AML programs nationally is ‘Stay out, stay alive,’” said program manager Bill Snoddy. “Abandoned mines are dangerous.”
Judge halts Montana birth certificate law affecting transgender residents
Senate Bill 280 was passed by the 2021 Montana Legislature and signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte.
Montana State Hospital administrator removed from job
Hospital employees criticized Fouts’ leadership after CMS announced the end of the provider agreement.
Montana Office of State Public Defender wants to increase contract attorney pay
The Office of State Public Defender plans to enter into collective bargaining to increase the contract attorney rate
Montana gives update on ARPA funding allocations
Montana leaders say they’ve reached a milestone in allocating the money they’ve received from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
No special Montana legislative session on election security
The Montana Legislature will not hold a special session next month to set up a committee on election security, after the required number of legislators failed to approve the proposal.
MT lawmakers oppose residential property tax measure
On Tuesday, state lawmakers said they’ve heard the message that Montanans are concerned about rising property taxes – but that a proposed constitutional amendment isn’t the right way to address the issue.
BLM prioritizes protecting Montana's pronghorn when determining new oil and gas leases
The Bureau of Land Management proposed leasing parcels in Fallon, Powder River, Richland and Roosevelt counties in Montana. The majority of those parcels are in Powder River County.
Zinke and Rosendale still leading in campaign fundraising
Friday was the deadline for most congressional candidates to report how much money they collected in the first three months of 2022.
Daines describes devastation he saw during visit to Ukraine
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines says, during a visit to Ukraine last week, he witnessed “the most horrible” scenes he has experienced.
Montana State Hospital staff say facility still struggling
About a week after the Montana State Hospital lost a projected $7 million in federal funding, employees say the state health department is not acting with any urgency to improve conditions at the facility.
Montana extends application deadline for broadband grants
Montana has invited companies to come forward with proposals for expanding broadband to underserved rural and suburban areas. Now, the first recommendations on how to use more than $200 million in federal grants could come in just over three months. -
Montana State Hospital set to lose federal funding
The Montana State Hospital will no longer receive federal funding after it failed to meet basic federal health and safety standards
MT AG Knudsen backs challenge to federal bump stock ban
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has led 21 other attorneys general from across the country, filing a brief in support of a lawsuit challenging a federal rule banning bump stocks.
Report: Native Americans were undercounted in 2020 Census
The U.S. Census gives a snapshot of the country’s population that helps guide government decisions for the next ten years. However, a report shows the most recent census may have significantly undercounted several population groups -- including, of particular note in Montana, Native Americans.
Montana reports $43.5M in adult-use marijuana sales so far
In Montana’s first quarter of recreational marijuana sales, dispensaries across the state have made more than $43 million in adult-use sales – enough to bring in nearly $9 million in state tax revenue.
Judge temporarily halts several new Montana voting laws
Four controversial voting laws passed by the 2021 State Legislature will not go into effect until after legal challenges are resolved, according to an order filed Wednesday by a Yellowstone County District Court Judge.
Montana Supreme Court clarifies email retention policy
The Montana Supreme Court clarified rules about maintaining digital records, including policies for what emails judicial branch employees should save or delete.
First taxes on adult-use marijuana in Montana due Apr. 15
April 1 was a milestone for Montana’s marijuana industry – the end of the first quarter of recreational sales in the state.
BLM gives initial approval to American Prairie bison grazing
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has given initial approval to a proposal to graze bison in north-central Montana. It’s the latest step in a process that started five years ago – and it’s likely not the end.
PSC looks for ways to extend the life of Montana's 406 area code
For many people in Montana, the number “406” is more than just an area code – it’s become a symbol of state pride.
DPHHS loses Title X funding bid to Montana nonprofit
A Montana nonprofit is slated to replace the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) as the sole administrator of federal Title X funds.
Montana election officials ready to test new voter database
Montana officials say they’re ready to start large-scale testing on a new statewide voter database, beginning in this year’s primary election.
Judge strikes down HB 325
A Bozman district judge has struck down a legislative ballot referral that would have let voters decide if Montana Supreme Court justices should be elected by districts, rather than a statewide election. -
MT leaders, veterans push back on VA report
A new federal report is laying out big potential changes for veterans’ health care facilities across the country – including here in Montana. However, there’s a long way to go before any of them might become a reality.
U.S. Supreme Court won't intervene in dispute between Montana Legislature and state judges
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to intervene in the dispute between the Montana Legislature and the state Supreme Court.
Montana Human Rights Commission backs former Corrections official's claim of retaliation
A state commission has reversed an earlier decision and ruled in favor of a former Montana Department of Corrections employee who claimed her high-level job was eliminated as retaliation, after she made a harassment complaint against the department’s then-director.
Will Montana lawmakers conduct a special session on election integrity?
Montana legislators will be polled this spring, to find out whether they want to hold a special session to set up a committee on election integrity.
MT leaders not continuing in federal food assistance program
State leaders say it no longer makes sense to participate in a federal program intended to provide food assistance for kids who weren’t in school because of COVID-19. However, some advocates say they’re concerned about what that’s going to mean for families in need this summer.
Federal court says CMS rule overrides Montana vaccine law
A federal judge has placed a temporary block on part of Montana’s "vaccine anti-discrimination law," preventing state action against medical facilities that are required to have employees vaccinated for COVID-19 under a federal rule.
