Can a 28-year-old from D.C. fix Montana’s mental health system?
Charlie Brereton wants to remake much of Montana’s disjointed health care system for mental healthcare, addiction treatment and developmental disabilities into something functional, even harmonious. With the backing of Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, a generous state budget surplus and alliances with key lawmakers, Brereton’s plan is playing out in an environment ripe for reform. Supporters…
Latest Government Reporting
The complaint against Austin Knudsen: Knowns, and unknowns
Montana’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel has filed a formal complaint against Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, alleging in 41 counts that Knudsen and his attorneys violated the state’s rules of professional conduct during litigation over legislative subpoena powers. Here’s what you need to to know about the disciplinary proceedings against Montana’s top attorney and law-enforcement…
State argues Montana’s drag restriction should take effect
An attorney representing the Montana Attorney General’s Office and the Office of Public Instruction argued in federal court Monday that a state law restricting drag performances and drag story hours should take effect while a legal challenge against it continues.
The veto and the void
Gov. Greg Gianforte is asking a Lewis and Clark County district court judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging his veto of Senate Bill 442, major bipartisan legislation from the 2023 session that reallocated marijuana tax revenue to conservation and county road projects.
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MORE GOVERNMENT REPORTING
Prosecutors drop charges against 7 arrested in Zooey Zephyr protests
The criminal cases against the seven people arrested during protests in support of Missoula Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr in the latter days of the 68th Legislature were dismissed after attorneys with Lewis and Clark County filed motions to drop the charges.
Former lawmaker leaving post as Public Service Commission director
Former Missoula GOP lawmaker Brad Tschida is leaving his post as executive director of the state’s utility regulation agency.
Filing period opens for homeowner property tax rebates
Montana homeowners have from Aug. 15 until Oct. 1 to file for rebates of as much as $675 on their 2022 property taxes. Learn more in our tax rebate FAQ.
Attorney general spreads unsupported election allegations
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen alleged in a recent radio interview that local election officials have “stonewalled” state investigations into voter misconduct. Fact check: There have been no documented state investigations into voter misconduct in Montana.
PSC to hold hearings on NorthWestern’s long-term energy strategy
PSC commissioners are seeking input about what constituents like, or don’t like, about NorthWestern Energy’s 2023 Integrated Resource Plan. In that plan, Montana’s largest electric utility eyes gas plant generation and pumped hydropower, a technology that’s been proposed but not implemented in the state.
Swanson named new state labor commissioner
Gov. Greg Gianforte is promoting a current Montana Department of Labor & Industry official to replace commissioner who resigned following DUI arrest.
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MORE GOVERNMENT REPORTING
Montana voters rejected an anti-abortion measure. GOP lawmakers passed a similar bill anyway.
The will of the electorate didn’t stop Republican lawmakers in Montana from passing a version of the anti-abortion proposal that voters rejected only months earlier. When Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the bill in May, Montana became the only state to pass a law that directly contravened voters who said “no” to an anti-abortion ballot…
Montana’s anti-drag law on hold ahead of Pride festivities
A federal judge in Helena has temporarily blocked state officials from enforcing Montana’s new law restricting drag story hours and drag shows ahead of one of the state’s largest LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations.
Vetoes complicate compensation claim for wrongful convictions
Cody Marble, who fought 14 years to overturn his 2002 conviction for a Missoula jailhouse rape he says never happened, is the only person who has filed for payment under a state law to compensate the wrongfully convicted. But his road to a potential $758,000 award has been made rockier by a pair of vetoes…
See money from the state in your bank account? It’s probably your Montana income tax rebate.
Income tax rebates are landing Montana mailboxes and bank accounts this month. Read our FAQ guide to the tax rebates passed by this year’s Legislature.
Five ways to lower Montana’s residential property taxes
Startling reappraisal numbers have driven widespread concern among Montana homeowners. While initial tax estimates are probably too high, here are some ideas that could bring property taxes down in the long run.
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