Legislative Roundup: State revenue projections slip again

HELENA – The Legislature's principal financial forecaster is predicting another $30 million drop in Montana's future revenues.

Lawsuit argues new Montana law suppresses student vote

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A lawsuit filed Tuesday is challenging a new Montana law banning voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts in certain areas of college campuses.

Montana has a spending problem

During the last month we have seen headlines like “Montana, broke and burning” and “Governor: Budget cuts will ‘Hurt’ Montana residents.”

Montana DEQ issues fine to Genesis Inc.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality issued a $6,181 fine to Genesis Inc., the state agency announced this week.

Consensus approach is best for Montana

Montana's Congressman

Montana Supreme Court protects taxpayers and students equally

The reduction in uniform mills would have reduced taxes for out-of-state corporations by millions per year. By comparison, this change would have reduced an average homeowner’s property taxes by only $45 per year.

Why you cannot trust the Montana Chamber of Commerce

Sadly, they have a penchant for endorsing extremely partisan, unqualified...

I-186 will hurt counties and communities

From its founding as a railroad town in 1882 to our current, natural resource-based economy, Billings has a long history of supporting natural resource development and mining. And with the Stillwater Mine located just a stone’s throw away from Billings, we are keenly aware of the positive impacts that mining, and the jobs it provides, has on our local economy.

Officials say dry winter could mean deeper drought in northern Montana

Climatologists hopeful that addition of new monitoring sites can improve drought, water forecasts.

DEQ protecting the interests of Montana's citizens

Montana has a long and storied history of mining. Mining has brought great riches and economic progress to our state; it can be argued mining built this state and minerals from Montana fueled the development of our nation. It also left a legacy of pollution and cleanup we’re still addressing today.

Trade pact with Japan a good deal for Montana ranchers, farmers

Held vs. Montana

The Montana district court ruling in Held vs. Montana wandered beyond constitutional directive into policy making.

2017 legislature passes “most significant infrastructure bill” in years

The most significant infrastructure bill in over a quarter of a century was passed by the just adjourned 2017 legislatives session. It was the six-cent increase in motor fuel taxes which will make it possible for Montana to continue to match federal dollars for highway maintenance and construction at a ratio of seven federal dollars to one Montana dollar.

Public involvement in Medicaid expansion vital

For nearly three years, individuals and organizations across Montana have been working hard to expand Medicaid and increase access to affordable health care for the lowest-income Montanans. Even though we lost a legislative battle in 2013, we kept fighting because we knew we could not give up. There are too many people in our state who need help. In Montana, we find solutions to problems. And for a problem of this size, doing nothing was not an option.

Legals February 18, 2020

The Montana Department of Revenue, Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, announces the availability of one (1) new original Montana Retail On-Premises Restaurant Beer and Wine License for the Eureka quota area as a result of the Montana legislative change separating the combined quota area of Eureka/Rexford. The Montana Alcoholic Beverage Code (Title 16 of the Montana Code Annotated) requires each incorporated city to have their own designated quota area and requires the department to conduct a competitive bidding process for available licenses. The available Montana Retail On-Premises Consumption Restaurant Beer and Wine License for the Eureka quota area may be located within the corporate limits of Eureka or within 5 miles of Eureka's corporate limits. A map of the Eureka quota area can be located at mtrevenue.gov This license is not eligible to offer gambling under Title 23, chapter 5, part 3, 5, or 6. To enter the competitive bidding process, the individual or business entity must submit electronically a competitive bid form that includes your bid amount, an irrevocable letter of credit for at least the bid amount from a financial institution naming the department as the beneficiary and pay a $100 non-refundable processing fee and any associated payment processing fees. The competitive bid form can be found at myrevenue.mt.gov The minimum bid for this license is set at $13,125. The competitive bidding process closes on March 8, 2020 at midnight Mountain Standard Time. The highest successful bidder will be notified by the department. The successful bidder must submit an application for licensure within 60 days. Questions? Contact (406) 444-6900 Published In The Western News February 11, 18, 25, & March 3, 2020. MNAXLP

Examining the disparity of urban and rural growth The Montana Gap reporting project taps into how rural Montana is grappling with its uncertain future

Look at statewide numbers and Montana’s economy seems to be doing well. Between 2000 and 2015, the number of jobs in the state of Montana grew 20 percent, according to a report released last year by Headwaters Economics. Personal income grew, as did statewide employment.

Unions sue over law ending same-day voter registration

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A coalition including worker unions and a disability rights group filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen over a law passed earlier this year that eliminates same day voter registration

Event covers conservation easements

The Montana Forest Stewardship Foundation and the Montana Association of Land Trusts are teaming up to bring “A Forest Owner’s Introduction to Conservation Easements” workshop to Libby on Friday, March 26.

Sen. Bob Brown appointed to run state lottery

Before entering public service, Brown spent most of his professional career as a general contractor in the construction industry and five years as a special needs educational coordinator at the Spring Creek Lodge Academy in Sanders County.

Montana gas prices fall

Average retail gasoline prices in Montana have fallen 0.9 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.33 per gallon yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 615 gas outlets in Montana. This compares with the national average that has fallen 0.9 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.28 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.