Fund Rail Line
House bill 848 has passed the House and is pending in the Senate. It would create a “Big Sky Rail Account” which would contribute to the estimated $2 billion price tag for a second rail line through southern Montana. Amtrak’s Empire Builder already passes through northern Montana. The 2,300 mile Big Sky North Coast Corridor would extend from Seattle to Chicago.
Senator Daines Applauds Expanded Forest Management Efforts to Combat Wildfire Threats in Montana
U.S. Senator Steve Daines commended President Trump and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins for enhancing his provision that codified the Forest Service’s “Emergency Situation Determination.” This expansion aims to expedite forest management projects in emergency areas, tackling the threat of catastrophic wildfires across thousands of acres in Montana’s National Forest System lands and accelerating vital on-the-ground efforts.
Bill Would Create New Specialty License Plate to Fund Wildlife Crossings in Montana
More than 3,200 Montana drivers are involved in accidents with wildlife every year. House Bill 855 would create a new specialty license plate for Montana drivers. The funds would be used to research design build and maintain wildlife crossing structures which could include overpasses underpasses culverts and fencing.
Board of Regents Names Next President of Montana State University
The Montana Board of Regents has announced it has extended an offer to Dr. Brock Tessman to become the 13th president of Montana State University. Dr. Tessman has verbally accepted the position and is set to assume office July 1st pending final employment contract negotiations and formal approval by the Board of Regents at its May meeting. Current MSU President Waded Cruzado plans to retire after 15 years leading the land grant university. Dr. Tessman is currently serving as the 17th president of Northern Michigan University.
Really dark times coming: DOGE cuts dozens of jobs at Rocky Mountain Lab in Hamilton
Two dozen Rocky Mountain Laboratories employees have lost their jobs as part of the most recent round of federal layoffs impacting employees at the National Institutes of Health. The move comes after around a dozen people at the Hamilton Lab lost their jobs during federal layoffs in February while others at the lab have opted for early retirement amid the changes.
Legislators Consider Three-Pronged Approach to Address Veteran Suicide Rates
Legislators are considering a proposal to invest in suicide prevention for Montana veterans an effort proponents say will help to mitigate high rates of suicide in the veteran population. Senate Bill 95 includes a request for $300,000 to implement a three-pronged approach screening services educating providers and peer support. The proposal does not focus on drug treatments for veterans.
Montana’s Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 2.8% for February Continuing Historic Low
Montana’s unemployment rate remained at 2.8% in February the 44th consecutive month of unemployment at or below a historic 3.4% low. The 2.8% unemployment rate in Montana is 1.3% lower than the national average which stood at 4.1% in February. Montana adding 3,000 new jobs and reaching a record-high labor force of nearly 580,000 in 2024. The strong labor market continues to be a key indicator of Montana’s resilient economy.
Bill would create new specialty license plate to fund wildlife crossings in Montana
More than 3,200 Montana drivers are involved in accidents with wildlife every year. House Bill 855 would create a new specialty license plate for Montana drivers. The funds would be used to research design build and maintain wildlife crossing structures which could include overpasses underpasses culverts and fencing.
Montana indigenous school districts face delays in federal funding
School in Montana particularly those on indigenous reservations are experiencing delays in receiving federal Impact Aid funding. Approximately 40 school districts have received half of this school year’s grant. The second half usually arrives in March but are delayed due to a continued resolution that remains to be passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The funding compensates for the lack of taxable property in these areas and is crucial for maintaining school operations.
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Congressman Troy Downing is encouraging participation in a call-in town-hall meeting this afternoon beginning at 5:30 Montana time from his Capitol office in Washington D.C. The conversation can be joined at the website downing dot house dot gov slash live. That’s downing dot house dot gov slash live.
The dirt path created by people walking along U.S. 93 between Logan Health Medical Center with downtown Kalispell may be getting a facelift. This evening the City Council will decide whether to apply for a $648,000 state grant to fund construction of a shared use path on the east side of the highway. Upgrading the walkway is part of a larger project to build out the shared use path further north to Bountiful Drive.
A bill to increase the business equipment tax exemption limit has gotten out of the state Senate but with a much smaller increase than first proposed. Senate Bill 322 bumped the increase from $1 million to $1.5 million. The bill passed its final vote Friday 40 to 9 with bipartisan support and opposition.
The Montana Department of Transportation is working with Schellinger Construction to complete 13 miles of repaving work that will run through the middle of downtown Darby. The U.S. Highway 93 paving preservation project is slated to start “this spring” will address aging road and sidewalk infrastructure in the area with the goal to improve driver and pedestrian safety and efficiency.
