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House passes sanctuary city ban; bill will now move to the senate
A bill that would ban sanctuary cities in Montana passed its third vote on the house floor Wednesday and move onto the senate, where it is expected to pass. House Bill 200 would also would require local governments to share the immigration status with federal immigration agencies. Under the bill, cities and counties would have […]
House gives first approval to sanctuary city ban as some lawmakers remain puzzled over link between racism and immigration
The intersection of racism and immigration once again controlled the discussion on a bill that would ban sanctuary cities in the state. Rep. Marilyn Marler, a Democrat from Missoula, was first to stand in opposition to the bill on the house floor Tuesday. Halfway into her opposition, she was interrupted by Chairman Barry Usher, R-Billings, […]
Gianforte: 19,500 unused COVID-19 doses to be distributed in Montana
The federal government has approved the reallocation of 19,500 unused COVID-19 vaccine doses not used at long-term care facilities to Phase 1B recipients, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced in a press conference Tuesday. Phase 1B includes Montanans over the age of 70 and those 16-69 with a serious underlying medical condition. The doses — originally provided […]
Representative faces criticism for role in withdrawn bill; lawmakers say threats go too far
A freshman Bozeman lawmaker received a number of threats this week regarding a controversial bill she introduced that critics said would bolster the parental rights of rapists. “It’s unnecessarily vicious. Politics have become over-the-top. It’s gone beyond adversarial to dangerous,” said Rep. Jessica Karjala, D-Billings. Karjala, who has received death threats herself, said it’s OK […]
Gianforte outlines priorities in ‘Montana Comeback’ speech
In the face of a global pandemic and a crippled economy, Gov. Greg Gianforte delivered his first State of the State address focusing on dealing with the pandemic and stabilizing Montana’s economy. A masked Gianforte was met with cheers from the gallery as he took the podium. “While we are resilient, the pandemic remains the […]
Montana House hears bill that would require officers to re-arrest immigration suspects
The Montana House Judiciary Committee heard its second bill in two days that would impact how Montana law enforcement officers would comply with federal immigration policies. House Bill 223, introduced by Rep. Bill Mercer, R-Billings, would require detention officers to re-arrest and hold any one who is already in custody and is the subject of […]
Campus free speech bill returns to Montana legislature
Supporters of a bill that aims to protect free speech on public college campuses contradicted school administrators who said campus policies already do just that. In a lengthy opening argument, the bill’s sponsor, Mike Hopkins, R-Missoula, said current university policies allow campuses to silence groups by muzzling public speakers and establishing free speech zones. He […]
Bill limiting transgender athletic participation passes the house
House Bill 112, which would prohibit transgender women from participating on sports teams that align with their gender identity passed the house on a 61-38 vote Wednesday. Opponents of the bill have been vocal and argue it would be detrimental to trans folks — a group that already sees higher rates of suicide — mental […]
Unemployment fell in December, but jobs contracted for first time since April
For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic more jobs were lost than gained in December. Despite the contraction, the state’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.4 percent in December from 4.6 percent in November. The state’s rate remains lower than the national December rate of 6.7 percent, the release said. In the release […]
House committee weighs public defender fees amid dress code kerfuffle
The House Judiciary Committee heard a bill Tuesday that would eliminate fees paid to public defenders by offenders. Rep. Danny Tenenbaum, a freshman Democrat lawmaker from Missoula and public defender in Missoula for five years, sponsored the bill. Before the bill was heard, Rep. Derek Skees, R-Kalispell, walked out on the hearing because Tenenbaum was […]
Two faith leaders silenced for bringing up race during testimony on immigration bill Tuesday
A minister and a rabbi were both stopped from testifying Tuesday for bringing up racism and race during testimony on a bill that would ban sanctuary cities in Montana. “I don’t want this hearing to be about race,” said House Judiciary Chair Barry Usher, R-Billings, after the Rev. Laura Jean Allen testified on the bill. […]
Bill banning gender affirming care for youth dies in House
Legislation to prevent doctors from providing gender-affirming care to minors in Montana has died on the House floor after several Republicans joined with Democrats to vote the controversial bill down, 49-51. House Bill 113 had passed a floor vote in the House only Monday, along with companion legislation that would compel transgender student athletes to […]