2023 Montana Legislature and Politics

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

State lawmakers send letter rebuking Montana OPI Superintendent Elsie Arntzen

“And an organization depends upon its leadership and at the end of the day the buck stops at the end of the org chart. And for that reason I believe this committee should communicate to the Superintendent of Instruction the view that she has failed to meet her constitutional obligation,” Bedey said.

‘It Just Happens Here:’ In a Perfect Storm of Risk Factors, Montanans Grapple with Barriers to Mental Health Care

According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness, around half of the 47,000 Montana adults who needed, but didn’t receive, mental health care in 2020 weren’t able to access it because of costs.

Gianforte says statewide sales tax off the table as his property tax task force gears up

An analysis by Montana Free Press found that property taxes rose on median by 21% on residential properties this year, driven partly by historic home value growth that has transferred tax burden onto residences from other types of properties. That analysis also found that tax bills decreased this year for many industrial properties owned by large businesses.

Charter schools are coming to Montana. What does this mean?

Given the contentious tone around charters in Montana and across the country, it can be difficult to discern what’s real and what’s convenient political rhetoric. Now that these laws are being rolled out, it’s becoming increasingly possible to predict their effect on students and families in the state.

Nearly $4.5 million directed to local school districts through tax credit program

Donors — taxpayers, estates, trusts or businesses — can donate money to two separate buckets of recipients: K-12 public schools and organizations that provide scholarships to private school students. The portal opened on Jan. 17, and by the end of the day, nearly $4.4 million had been donated to local school districts and over $3.9 million to student scholarship organizations.

Small town values bring $90 million high-tech firm to Lewistown, Montana – Snowy Mountain Development Corporation (SMDC)

“We’re a family business, and in Germany we’re a Mittelstandt (a mid-sized family-owned firm), Bergner told Forbes. “For us, it’s not just about producing. It’s about working together, educating, and making a better life. In Montana there’s enough space for growing. Lewistown is a wonderful place to raise a family.”

Montana DOJ puts Virginia-based law firm Consovoy McCarthy PLLC on $500,000 retainer to defend TikTok ban in court

Department of Justice spokesperson said the Virginia based firm is billing $525 an hour.

Missoula County Commissioner Josh Slotnick shut out of Governor Gianforte’s property tax task force, but City Council gets seat

Slotnick said counties across the state “now feel this problem acutely” and added that the “appetite for fixing the system has never been greater.”

Montana prepares to launch new education savings accounts

A controversial program approved by lawmakers last year will make state education funding directly available to parents of special needs students.

City Club Missoula Video – Treasure State Taxes: Shedding Light on Montana’s Tax System (Best way to understand our current situation)

City Club Missoula’s August forum dove deep into Montana’s Taxation System. The forum featured current and former members of local and state government. The expert panel provided an overview of Montana’s multifaceted system, including tax codes and rates, collections, rebates, and burdens.