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Montana Politics Latest
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MT Supreme Court upholds controversial judicial-appointment law
In a 6-1 decision, the Montana Supreme Court late Thursday upheld the controversial new law that wipes out a 50-year-old process for filling state judicial vacancies in Montana and gives Gov. Greg Gianforte more discretion to appoint new judges.Montana nominee for national BLM director faces tough questions from GOP senators
Montanan Tracy Stone-Manning, nominated to head the U.S. Bureau of Land Management under President Biden, faced some pointed questions Tuesday from Republicans at her Senate confirmation hearing.Montana is prepping for burst of broadband expansion, with federal dollars
As broad swaths of Montana still have substandard high-speed Internet or cell-phone service – or, none at all – the Gianforte administration is launching a federally funded $275 million-plus effort to improve that picture.Covid-relief loans pumped $3.2B into Montana small businesses
For Helena restaurant and inn co-owner Paul Mabie, federal Covid-relief loans probably saved his businesses, which launched just months before the pandemic began in early 2020.Zinke’s 2022 campaign for Montana's new Congressional seat is official
Former U.S. Interior secretary and GOP Congressman Ryan Zinke told MTN News Thursday that he’s running for Congress in Montana in 2022 – in whatever district he lives in, after lines for new districts are drawn in the state.Gianforte admin preps to distribute more than $1.6B in federal Covid-relief funds
While the 2021 Montana Legislature has left town, one of its biggest projects is just getting under way: The distribution of more than $1.6 billion of federal Covid-relief funds, from the American Rescue Plan.Lawsuit takes aim at bill affecting campus, judicial campaigns
Another lawsuit was filed Tuesday to strike down a law passed by Republican majorities at the 2021 Legislature – this time taking aim at language the suit says was unconstitutionally inserted into a bill in the closing hours of the session.Governor orders at least half of state workers back to the office
The Gianforte administration has directed state agencies to bring at least 50 percent of their employees back to the office by June 14 and says no new “telework” agreements will be granted for now.Court blocks gun law from taking effect on MT campuses
A state court in Helena Friday stopped a law from taking effect next Tuesday, that would have overridden the Board of Regents’ policy banning firearm possession on state college campuses.Montana Attorney General declares "anti-racism" curriculum to be discriminatory
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen Thursday declared that some “anti-racism” programming in schools is a violation of federal law and the state constitution and should not be taught in Montana schools.Suits challenging new laws affecting MT U-system will go to District Court
The Montana Supreme Court Wednesday declined to take jurisdiction over a pair of lawsuits challenging four Republican-passed laws affecting the state university system, saying they’re better heard first in state District Court.Helena considering options to fund Fire Tower repairs
Helena leaders say they’re looking at other options for how to fund repairs to the city’s historic Fire Tower, after the Montana Legislature declined their request for a grant to cover some of the costs. -
New Montana law opens public school extracurriculars to private and homeschooled kids
A new Montana law effectively removes the attendance requirements for a child who is not in public school to participate in a school district’s sports or other extracurricular programs.Regents, others file suit to overturn laws affecting MT U-system
A broad coalition of labor groups and Montana university students, faculty and former officials filed suit Thursday to overturn four new laws, calling them a dangerous, unconstitutional intrusion on the Board of Regents’ authority to manage state colleges.Commission, parties gear up for battle over MT’s congressional districts
Joe Lamson, one of two Democrats on the commission that will draw Montana’s two new congressional districts, has a goal in mind.Sen. Tester and Sheriff Dutton talk about the importance of funding anti-drug policing efforts
On Thursday Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., was joined by Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton to discuss the importance of proposed legislation that is aimed at boosting resources to help law enforcement combat drug trafficking and increase public safety.Regents vote to file suit over law allowing guns on Montana college campuses
The state Board of Regents Wednesday voted unanimously to go to court challenge a new law prohibiting it from banning firearms on state campuses, saying the law violates the board’s constitutional authority to run the university system.Governor signs bill regulating marijuana in Montana
Governor Greg Gianforte has signed off on the Montana Legislature’s final plan for implementing recreational marijuana in the state.Judge blocks legislative request of SupCo justice’s documents
A state judge Tuesday blocked legislative Republicans’ request for internal communications of a Supreme Court justice, saying the Legislature lacks legal authority to acquire the documents.Supreme Court abortion decision may not necessarily determine MT outcome
But while a similar ban became law in Montana just three weeks ago, a Supreme Court decision ultimately upholding Mississippi’s ban doesn’t necessarily mean the same for the Montana law, said Martha Stahl, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood-Montana.