Commentary
Bishop: Democrats leading way on jobs, tax cuts for working Montanans
Last week, Gov. Greg Gianforte, for the first time since taking office, shared his vision for our state — a vision that is limited to massive giveaways for Montana’s wealthiest, and gives quiet approval for an unprecedented barrage of attacks on the freedoms of Montana’s women and children. Democrats have a better plan that aims […]
Moss: ‘Grounded’ a refreshing change from the kiss-and-tell political takedowns
Book Title: Grounded: A Senator’s Lessons on Winning Back Rural America Author: Sen. Jon Tester with Aaron Murphy Info: HarperCollins, $29.95 “Telling a story is like reaching into a granary full of wheat and drawing out a handful. There is always more to tell than can be told.” Wendell Berry “Grounded: A Senator’s Lessons on Winning Back […]
Legislature working to expand educational opportunities for Montana families
This past week, students and families across the country were raising awareness for expanding K-12 educational opportunities. In Montana, our children and families are as diverse as our geography. The legislature is considering several bills this session to expand the delivery of education services and provide students with learning options that reflect their unique needs. […]
Doped up on disinformation
Just after the sacking of the U.S. Capitol, a friend of mine sent me a typical post found on the MAGA45 page of the emergent social network MeWe: Military arrests and takedowns begin this weekend and continue for the next 13 days…International raids have already begun. Italy has also been found complicit in our election […]
O’Loughlin: HB162 won’t help Montana’s lowest-income seniors
Nearly every session a bill comes before the Legislature seeking to further exempt Social Security income from Montana income tax, and every session the Montana Budget & Policy Center opposes. Why? Montana already exempts the majority of Social Security income from state tax, and our system largely mirrors the federal exemption structure. Today, for the […]
Gov. Greg Gianforte’s First ‘State of the State’ speech
Here is the full text of Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte’s first “State of the State” speech as prepared.
Fox: American Prairie and Phillips County find common ground
Last week, Phillips County officials unanimously voted to approve a new bison grazing and disease management agreement with American Prairie Reserve. This agreement resolves American Prairie’s long-standing variance request to the County’s Bison Grazing Ordinance. It is the hard-won result of constructive talks with our team, the Phillips County Conservation District, and livestock industry representatives. […]
Ehrlick: The fall of the committee of Usher
“We’re not going down the rabbit hole of racism, because there are immigrants from all over the world that are every color on earth, and we’re not doing racism in this hearing,” – Rep. Barry Usher, R-Billings, shutting down comments during a legislative hearing on sanctuary cities when someone referenced white supremacy. Barry Usher’s words […]
The time that media companies silenced a national figure… in 1938
In speeches filled with hatred and falsehoods, a public figure attacks his enemies and calls for marches on Washington. Then, after one particularly virulent address, private media companies close down his channels of communication, prompting consternation from his supporters and calls for a code of conduct to filter out violent rhetoric. Sound familiar? Well, this […]
Violent extremists stand with Donald Trump — as do many of my Marine buddies
We will remember the attacks of Jan. 6 with the same horror as we remember the terrorist attacks of 9/11. While there was far less loss of life at the U.S. Capitol, our loss of national dignity was far worse. We know President Trump incited and encouraged the mob that perpetrated the attack. During the […]
Daines’ high-stakes bet
Politicians, by nature, are calculators, oddsmakers, bettors, bookies. They bet on winning and losing all the time. Montana Sen. Steve Daines bet on President Donald J. Trump. But following the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Daines changed his wager. That day a pro-Trump mob attacked the Capitol, erected a gallows, killed a U.S. […]
Ehrlick: For people who love freedom, these lawmakers have a funny way of showing it
I need the lawmakers to make up their mind. And personally, I am rooting for them. Apparently, the government has more of an interest in my health than I thought, and I think it’s mighty big of them to want to take over. I am in my mid-40s, paunchy, and I’d really like someone else […]