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Montana Politics Latest
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House panel votes to kill MT Historical Society museum bill
A Montana House committee Thursday voted to kill the measure that would authorize construction of a new, $48 million museum for the Montana Historical Society in Helena, and increase the state lodging tax to help fund it.Medicaid expansion, Colstrip bills entwined as Legislature enters final weeks
Lawmakers delayed action Wednesday on two of the biggest bills at the 2019 Legislature — Medicaid expansion and the so-called “save Colstrip” bill — as their respective fates appear to be part of final negotiations in the last two weeks of the Legislature.Daines addresses Bureau of Indian Affairs official during committee hearing
During Wednesday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., Senator Steve Daines spoke about how the missing and murdered indigenous women crisis needs immediate attention.On Colstrip bill, labor, biz battle consumer advocates, enviros
On what’s become one of the keynote bills of the 2019 Legislature, organized labor, business lobbies and pro-coal forces lined up Monday to support a guaranteed return for NorthWestern Energy if its buys more Colstrip-generated power — while consumer advocates and environmentalists argued that the cFirefighter Health and Safety Bill passes the House
The Firefighter Health and Safety Bill passed another hurdle Monday afternoon.Bill would overhaul Montana’s medical marijuana laws
Two years after the Montana Legislature passed a bill to overhaul the state’s medical marijuana system, Democratic Sen. Tom Jacobson of Great Falls says more changes are still needed.Medicaid expansion bill advances to MT Senate floor
On a 10-9 vote, a state Senate committee Monday advanced one of the 2019 Legislature’s biggest bills to the Senate floor: House Bill 658, which would continue Medicaid expansion, the $700 million-a-year program that provides medical coverage to 95,000 low-income Montanans.Senator Tester discusses MAFB and southern border on Montana This Morning
Montana’s senior U.S. senator Jon Tester stopped by the Montana This Morning set to discuss some matters impacting the state and nation.Bills targeting elder abuse advance in Montana Legislature
The Montana Legislature advanced bills this week aimed at protecting elderly and vulnerable adults from abuse.Daines proposes bill to allocate college savings to apprenticeships
On Friday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines met with leaders from the skilled trades in Helena to discuss ways to encourage more students to consider apprenticeship programs.Kathleen Williams announces 2020 U.S. House run
Democrat Kathleen Williams announced Friday she will run again for Montana’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.Senate panel tables Medicaid-expansion bill — but it’s not dead
Republicans on a Senate committee voted Friday morning to table the bill that would continue Montana’s $700 million-a-year Medicaid expansion coverage for low-income adults — but the measure isn’t dead. -
MT Senate advances major spending bill — but budget work yet to be done
After a relatively short debate, the state Senate Thursday endorsed the major spending bill that funds state government for the next two years.Firefighter health and safety bill passes House committee
The Health and Safety Bill for firefighters has passed out of a Montana House committee.Montana state budget marching toward finish line at Legislature; is final form already decided?
Before the Senate Finance and Claims Committee voted last week on the main bill that funds Montana’s $10.3 billion, two-year budget, its 19 members broke for an hour and met privately in two groups to discuss proposed amendments to the bill.Great Falls native Al Olszewski announces run for governor
The field of hopefuls in the 2020 race for Montana governor has a new addition.Missoula state rep first Dem to jump into U.S. House race; Williams announcing Friday
Missoula state Rep. Tom Winter this week became the first Democrat to announce that he’s running for Montana’s sole U.S. House seat in 2020.Business owners and state officials join Bullock for discussion on wage gap
Gov. Steve Bullock joined state leaders and business owners to bring attention to the ongoing wage gap between men and women.Montana AG Fox, Ohio AG oppose Trump admin on ‘Obamacare’ invalidation
Montana Attorney General Tim Fox and his Ohio counterpart told a federal appeals court Monday that the Affordable Care Act — “Obamacare” — should not be thrown out entirely, although part of the law is unconstitutional.Future of preschool funding uncertain after MT House committee votes down two bills
The future of public funding for preschool programs in Montana is now uncertain, after two proposals to increase the state’s contribution missed an important deadline in the Legislature.