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Montana Politics Latest
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Daines hears concerns from Montana truckers about federal vaccine mandates
Montana trucking companies say they’re worried that vaccine mandates from the federal government could disrupt their workforce and compound supply chain issues.Montana's voter-database conversion won't happen in 2022
As expected, Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen on Monday officially pulled the plug on launching a new statewide voter database in 2022.Arntzen: Montana after-school grants awarded this week
About $3.8 million of federal funds to expand after-school programs will be awarded this week, as planned, says Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen – although the organizations seeking the money never submitted a formal application.Montana's voter-database conversion may be delayed
Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen told lawmakers Thursday she won’t launch a new, statewide voter database unless it’s ready – and, at the same meeting, a county election official involved with testing the new system said it’s not ready.Montana after-school programs still waiting on federal funds
For months, after-school programs for kids in Montana have been anticipating a $3.8 million influx of new federal funding, which was approved this spring, to help them respond to the state’s child-care shortage.Arntzen praised by supporters for championing parental choice
Seven school trustees, 21 Republican lawmakers, and more than 500 citizens of Montana signed a letter in support of Elsie Arntzen.Montana rural water projects awaiting federal infrastructure money
The federal infrastructure bill passed by Congress last month has millions of dollars to help finish five big rural-water and irrigation projects in Montana – but on four of them, the actual amount is yet to be known, a Gianforte administration official said Tuesday.FWP backs out from controversial elk hunting proposal
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has pulled back on a controversial elk hunting changeJudge accepts gun-case plea deal arranged by AG Knudsen’s office
After an emotional court hearing, District Judge Kathy Seeley Thursday accepted a plea deal arranged by Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s office for a man accused of threatening restaurant employees with a gun last year, after a dispute over wearing a face-mask.Montana's U.S. Senators will vote to block vaccine mandate for businesses
Montana’s two U.S. senators – one Democrat, one Republican – say they’ll be voting for a measure Wednesday to block the Biden administration’s rule requiring businesses with more than 100 employees to have their workers vaccinated against COVID-19.Superintendents of Montana's AA schools: 'no confidence' in OPI chief
“To be clear, our concerns are not related to your politics, but rather your leadership (or lack thereof),” noted the superintendents in their letter.Montana GOP legislators ask U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in judicial dispute
Republican legislators and Attorney General Austin Knudsen are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in their running dispute with the Montana Supreme Court, saying the state justices should have excused themselves from ruling on legislative attempts to acquire internal court documents. -
Rental-assistance program still in place – but has had delays
While some of Montana’s unused emergency rental-assistance funds from federal COVID-19 relief bills may be directed elsewhere by the feds or the state, the program is still disbursing money and processing applications, state officials say.Election fraud argument gets an audience with Montana’s Department of Justice
Judge finds portions of new state gun law unconstitutional
A state district judge in Helena has ruled against a new state law that sought to prohibit the state Board of Regents from banning firearms on state college campuses.Federal court blocks vaccine mandate for healthcare workers
A federal judge in Louisiana has granted a preliminary injunction against the COVID-19 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) vaccine mandate following a lawsuit filed by Montana and 13 other states.Montana’s unused federal Covid-19 rental aid in jeopardy?
As much as $175 million of Montana’s unused federal COVID-19 emergency assistance for renters may be reallocated by the Biden administration – but Gov. Greg Gianforte says his administration is still waiting to see whether it can use the money on other housing needs.Zinke files disclosure form; lists substantial income, property
Republican congressional candidate Ryan Zinke filed his financial-disclosure form Monday, reporting almost $800,000 in consulting income and fees this year and family real-estate holdings worth between $7.6 million and $32.5 million.Tester discusses federal COVID vaccine requirements
Sen. Jon Tester believes the focus should remain on individual action as the debate continues over a federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement.Montana’s Congressional District 2: Dems face uphill climb against Rosendale
In Montana’s new eastern district, incumbent and first-term Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale starts out with huge advantages for 2022, both in terms of money and political lean of the district – but he is not without opposition.