Government & Politics
Gianforte unveils his first budget
In his 2023 biennium budget announcement Jan. 7, Gov. Greg Gianforte focused on lowering taxes, reducing spending and enticing private businesses to remain — or relocate — in Montana. Dubbed the “Road Map to the Montana Comeback,” some of Gianforte’s proposals included: Decreasing general fund spending by $100 million during the two fiscal years from […]
National Guard sent to D.C. as police defend response to mob takeover at Capitol
WASHINGTON — A day after a violent mob seeking to overturn the election forced its way into the U.S. Capitol, the chief of the law enforcement officers tasked with protecting that building and those who work inside said Thursday that “a thorough review” is underway of the incident and the security procedures that fell short. […]
Montana AG Knudsen favors gun expansion bill
Montana’s top law enforcement officer, Attorney General Austin Knudsen, testified Wednesday in favor of a bill that would reduce restrictions on firearms in Montana, such as a general prohibition against guns on college campuses. “I think this is a very clear mandate from the voters of Montana,” Knudsen said. In a hearing of House Bill […]
Judge tosses newspaper lawsuit, rules school district didn’t violate First Amendment
ROUNDUP – A Musselshell County Judge has ruled that Roundup Public Schools didn’t violate a media company’s First Amendment rights when it barred reporters and broadcasters from attending girls’ volleyball games. Judge Randal I. Spaulding denied the Yellowstone County News a preliminary injunction, which would have forced the district to allow the media company owning […]
Sen. Steve Daines changes course and will certify election results
Sen. Steve Daines has changed course and announced that he will vote to certify the presidential election results, while Rep. Matt Rosendale announced he will continue to object the results. Daines’ decision comes after a pro-Trump mob swarmed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday in an attempt to obstruct congress from certifying the election results. “We […]
Trump supporters gather in Helena
HELENA — More than 100 supporters of the outgoing president gathered peacefully outside of the Montana state capitol Wednesday as mobs of pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol and clashed with police 2,100 miles away in an attempt to prevent the transition of presidential power. Setting the tone in Montana on Wednesday was Dave Von […]
Trump supporters swarm U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON — A violent mob derailed the typically routine process of Congress certifying the presidential election results on Wednesday, with the House of Representatives and Senate abruptly recessing after President Donald Trump’s supporters clashed with police and forced their way into the U.S. Capitol. Both legislative chambers were evacuated amid the chaos of pro-Trump rioters […]
A crowd in Helena demonstrates at the Montana Capitol
As the U.S. Capitol locked down amid protests of the presidential election, roughly 100 demonstrators showed up in Helena by early afternoon. The participants have been peaceful. Follow the Daily Montanan’s live updates below.
Tester condemns ‘attack on our democracy’
(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester denounced Wednesday the move by 12 other senators objecting to the Electoral College results. “I join my Republican and Democratic colleagues in condemning this despicable and dangerous attack on our democracy,” said Tester, a Democrat, in a statement. “The election is over — and the time for baseless […]
Legislative Dems announce 2021 policy goals
Montana Senate and House Democrats this week rolled out a series of policy goals for the 2021 legislative session, including a freeze on tuition for in-state students at Montana’s public colleges, protecting Medicaid expansion and more. Their policy objectives, grouped into four separate buckets, in some instances hew relatively closely to the GOP’s own policy […]
Montana releases new COVID-19 vaccine requirements
The new health requirements that will allow Montanans ages 16-69 with underlying conditions to receive expedited access to the COVID-19 vaccine have been released by the Department of Public Health & Human Services. Gov. Greg Gianforte announced his new vaccination plan Tuesday at his first press conference as governor where he also said he plans […]
With Georgia wins, control of Senate likely flipping to Democrats
A steady trickle of Georgians mostly breezed in and out of polling places across the state for the final day of voting in the state’s high-stakes U.S. Senate runoffs, adding more than 1 million votes to the already 3 million cast before Tuesday. The nation watched as voters here narrowly elected Democrat Raphael Warnock, making […]