Beginning January 3rd donors who support innovative education in public schools or private school scholarships can get dollar-for-dollar tax credits before a statewide $1 million cap is reached. Any Montana taxpayer estate or business may donate up to $200,000 for the Innovative Education Program tax credit or Student Scholarship Organization ...
Public Service Commission To Lower Power Rates Year
The Montana Public Service Commission has approved lower rates effective January 1st for its residential electric customers of NorthWestern Energy, cutting the average yearly bill $21.12. Natural gas customers will see a decrease in their yearly bill by $13.56. Residential electric customers of Montana Dakota Utilities will see an annual reduc...
Montana’s Minimum Wage Set To Increase Next Week
The minimum wage in Montana will increase to $9.20 an hour starting January 1st from the current $8.75. In 2006, Montana residents voted to adjust the rate for inflation each year and because of this, the minimum wage rate in Montana could increase each year depending on inflation. State lawmakers continue to review new bills aimed to increase...
Madison River To Keep Walking Sections, Lose Rest/Rotation Rule
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved two rule changes concerning recreational and commercial use on the Madison River. They’ll keep the walking sections from Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge and Ennis Bridge to Ennis Lake in place but repealed a rule establishing a rest/rotation system for commercial use on the river. Before voting ...
Montana Likely To See More Apprenticeships In 2022
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry has proposed an increase in the number of apprentices that can be assigned to a single supervisor in trade settings. Governor Greg Gianforte has endorsed the proposal in tying the timing of the ratio change because of Montana’s growing need for housing and to federal investments in broadband infrast...
Montana Housing Prices Among The Fastest Rising In The Country
Montana’s economy has shown resilience and strength through much of 2021. Between 2020 and 2021 home prices in Montana increased by 24.4% placing the state fourth in the nation for the sharpest increase according to the Washington Post. In the state’s largest communities though there is evidence of businesses closing due to labor ...
Montana Courts Spent 1800 Hours Disputing New Laws In 2021
According to a time and cost analysis of legal challenges conducted by the Legislative Audit Division the Montana Department of Justice has spent just more than $102,199 and 1,803 hours defending 14 cases challenging 18 different laws passed during the 2021 legislative session. In an email Legislative GOP spokesperson Kyle Schmauch said 97.5 p...
Montana Welcomed Numerous New Police Officers In 2021
The year 2021 saw many out-of-state residents move to Montana for a number of reasons, with one being the support of law enforcement. Attorney General Austin Knudsen believes the Treasure State is reaping the benefits of other states who are more critical of their law enforcement officers. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/20...
Over 100,000 Antigen Tests Delivered Across Montana
Rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 have emerged as a public health tool that can help keep schools and businesses open. The state has delivered as many as 113,000 antigen tests to hospitals health clinics government offices local health departments and others. The tests are much more accessible for those who are part of Montana’s state-run free ...
State Energy Customers Requesting Investments In Renewables
Nearly 10,000 customers have signed a letter to NorthWestern Energy’s CEO Bob Rowe urging him to invest in renewable resources. Ann Hedges with the Montana Environmental Information Center says there is growing discontent with the utility company’s decision to build a methane-gas power plant in Laurel near Billings. Estimated to cost more than...