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Montana Politics Latest
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MT House endorses bill undercutting public-health mandates
The Montana House Republican majority Wednesday endorsed a bill that says businesses cannot be required to enforce local public-health orders, such as mandates to wear a face-mask or limit customer numbers.Bill would let Montana stores sell beer and wine earlier
Montana lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow stores to sell beer and wine earlier in the morning.Montana House endorses bill to again allow executions
The Montana House has endorsed a bill intended to let the state resume executions, by changing the law on what drug it must use in a lethal injection.MT lawmakers consider "Religious Freedom Restoration Act"
Montana lawmakers heard testimony Tuesday on a bill that supporters say would ensure the right of religious freedom, but opponents said could open the door to discrimination.Opponents and supporters pack hearing on right-to-work bill
Union members – and some big corporations employing union workers – lined up Tuesday to oppose a bill to make Montana a “right-to-work” state, arguing it would lower wages and needlessly undermine organized labor here.Another bill to ban gender-transition surgery for minors introduced
The sponsor of a bill to prohibit certain medical treatment for transgender youths – a bill defeated last month in the Montana House – introduced a new, similar measure Tuesday to ban “gender transition” surgical procedures for those under 18.Montana preparing to distribute millions in fed rental assistance
The Gianforte administration is updating a program to distribute at least $44 million in federal rent assistance to Montanans harmed financially by the Covid-19 pandemic – but the money has yet to be authorized by the Legislature.Outfitter license bill advances – but heavily amended
A bill meant to set aside a portion of non-resident hunting licenses for outfitters’ clients in Montana advanced Monday in the state Senate – but not before the set-aside was amended out of the bill.State Medical Officer Holzman is resigning
State Medical Officer Greg Holzman, who was often the face of the state’s Covid-19 policy and response under former Gov. Steve Bullock, has submitted his resignation.Media sue Republican legislative committee chair over closed meeting
A coalition of Montana media organizations filed suit this week, challenging as unconstitutional the practice of Republican committee chairs holding closed meetings of GOP members before the panels vote on bills.Gianforte tax-cut plans debut at MT Legislature
The centerpiece of Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte’s tax-cut plans – a series of current and future cuts in the state income tax – had strong support from the business community as its first hearing Thursday.U.S. Rep. Rosendale snags top spot on House VA subcommittee
Montana’s only congressman, Rep. Matt Rosendale, has been tapped as the top Republican on the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization – an appointment he said will help Montana veterans better access their benefits. -
Gianforte, Republicans want more influence over judicial choices
Montana Republicans, who control the governor’s office and the Legislature, are now pushing bills to give the GOP and conservatives more influence over choosing the state’s judiciary.Governor will lift Montana's state-wide mask mandate on Friday
Gov. Greg Gianforte says he will let Montana’s statewide mask mandate expire as of Friday. He made the announcement Wednesday, at a bill-signing ceremony for Senate Bill 65. Gianforte had previously identified the bill as a necessary first step before he’d consider lifting the mandate.Proposed legislation addresses the issue of Montana Missing Indigenous Persons
Legislators are discussing three bills that spotlight Missing Murdered Indigenous People, as well as funding a grant program to educate those communities.Sens. Daines, Tester miles apart on impeachment trial
As former President Trump’s second impeachment trial began Tuesday in the U.S. Senate, Montana’s two “jurors” – Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester – have decidedly different takes on the proceedings.Study: Right-to-work states under-perform on many metrics
States that have adopted “right to work” laws, which prohibit union contracts from requiring non-member workers to share in the cost of bargaining efforts on their behalf, lag behind other states in a broad range of social and economic indicators, a study released this week says.MT Legislature considers 'right to work,’ anti-union bills
Bills making it harder for labor unions to collect dues or fees – including “right to work” measures – have been defeated in Montana for many years, by organized labor and their allies. But this year, right-to-work supporters and foes of unions are hoping for a different outcome.Gov. Gianforte talks about vaccine, economy, and more
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte wasted no time in his new position, lifting COVID-19 business restrictions one week into office. The next three haven't been much slower. Gianforte sat down with MTN to discuss Montana's shifting economy, vaccine distribution, and the immediate future.Montana's U.S. Senators spar over Keystone pipeline votes