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Lawmakers plan to join Gianforte in lawsuit on judge appointment
The Montana Legislature wants into a battle at the state’s Supreme Court regarding whether recently passed legislation can refashion the way judges are appointed in the Treasure State. Legislative leaders from the Republican Party have asked the state’s top court for an extension in the case, which would allow the GOP-controlled Legislature to pass resolutions […]
Believe Gianforte: He is a man of his actions
“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” -Maya Angelou When Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte — then candidate Gianforte — assaulted a reporter, the entire country was shocked: A politician attacking a reporter? That seems crazy. A little more than 24 hours later, the puzzlement shifted from the multimillionaire former tech […]
One constitutional amendment lives, the other narrowly dies
In an evening session of the Montana House, two of Rep. Derek Skees’ constitutional amendments were debated. One passed, the other was narrowly defeated. Skees’ second constitutional amendment, House Bill 635, would require the governor to appoint a vacancy among the state’s top elected officers with a candidate from the same political party as the […]
This land is your land, this land is mine: Bill aims to limit nonprofits, increase ag land protections
The title of Rep. Dan Bartel’s bill, House Bill 677, seems broad enough: “An act prohibiting certain nonprofit corporations from purchasing agricultural lands.” That was the one thing both opponents and proponents seemed to agree on — the bill would stop ag land sales. They also agreed that the certain nonprofit addressed in the bill […]
Justice delayed if judges denied?
No judge awaiting confirmation from the Montana Senate has ever failed to gain approval since 1973 when the Judicial Nominating Commission was created after the adoption of the Treasure State’s second Constitution. Every candidate selected has received approval, and then moved on to face the will of the voters at the ballot box every four […]
Gallatin County judge has his day in the Senate
Gallatin Deputy County Attorney Jordan Salo traveled to Helena to testify in favor of Judge Peter Ohman at the Senate Judiciary Confirmation hearing on Friday. One of her reasons for testifying? She lost a recent case in his court. It’s probably unconventional that the attorney who lost would come to support the judge. “I lost […]
House committee approves dress code
About the only section of a two-page resolution codifying dress codes in the Montana House that didn’t draw a question or objection was the last line, “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that there are no casual Fridays or Saturdays.” No casual Fridays or Saturdays was just part of a bill regarding dress code and decorum in […]
Montanan charged in Capitol riot said he was there for ‘insurrection’
The fifth Montanan charged in the Jan. 6 riot at the United States Capitol is also a licensed real estate agent and developer of the Philipsburg Guest Ranch. Boyd Allen Camper of Montana has been charged with four crimes for his part in the Capitol riots, according to the complaint and arrest warrant filed in […]
Your bolo tie won’t get you into Heaven, but it will get you through the doors of the House
One of the most poignant songs John Prine wrote (and there’s plenty of competition for that) had the chorus: “Your flag decal won’t get you into heaven anymore.” The anti-war anthem suggested that just waving a flag isn’t sufficient justification for killing or war. The idea is simple: Plastering a flag decal on your bumper […]
Judges from Great Falls, Helena have hearings but face uncertain future
Two sitting Montana judges had their confirmation hearings in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday morning. Each one had more than a dozen supporters speak in favor of them, including attorneys who had, at times, been adversaries in the courtroom. Not one opponent spoke against either Judge Michele Reinhart Levine of Cascade County […]
Montana Commerce Department awards nearly a half-million to community projects
The Montana Department of Commerce today announced it is awarding $430,273 to support small business growth and local community development across 15 Montana communities. The funding is from the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund Planning Grant, which provides state funds to promote long-term, stable economic growth in Montana. “When small businesses across Montana thrive, […]
More money for renters, emergency preparedness and childcare likely with COVID relief funds
Montana lawmakers on Thursday found themselves in an unfamiliar position: Having hundreds of millions of dollars to spend, with little guidance yet from the federal government and the clock ticking on the legislative session. Members of the Legislature came together to review the American Rescue Plan Act funds that are targeted toward health and human […]