Montana Senate Rejects Bill Allowing Disabled Voters to Submit Ballots Electronically
The Montana Senate rejected House Bill 488, which aimed to allow disabled voters to submit ballots electronically. Missoula resident Lisa Chamberlain, who is blind, testified that the current process breaches privacy and independence. Despite support from the Montana Association of Clerks and Recorders, the bill was voted down 19-31 due to security concerns. Advocates argue the bill would ensure equal voting access for disabled Montanans.
State Supreme Court sides with media outlets in public meetings lawsuit
The state Supreme Court upheld Montanans’ right to open government meetings and public disclosure concerning the governor’s appointment of replacement judges for state district court in an order issued Tuesday. It ruled an advisory council appointed by the governor erred by closing its proceedings while reviewing candidates for a 9th Judicial District judgeship in 2023. Blanket closures of public meetings violate Montana’s open meetings laws.
Montana State receives grant to bolster mental health support workforce
Montana State University and the Montana Office for Rural Heath and Area Education Center have been awarded a $2.39 million grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. It will go toward training 108 paraprofessionals by 2028 helping increase mental health support in rural communities that often lack accessible health care options and providers.
Compromise legislation cutting income taxes headed to governor’s desk
The Montana Legislature has passed a bill cutting income taxes and increasing the earned income tax credit sending the measure to the governor’s desk. House Bill 337 ended up as a compromise between the governor’s preferred plan for the largest tax cut in state history and a middle-class tax cut preferred by a more conservative wing of Republicans and some Democrats. Property tax relief is still left to be decided in the last 10 days of the 69th Legislative session.
Nearly 50 UM employees laid off following loss of funding for language program
The University of Montana has laid off 47 employees after money for a program previously funded by the Department of Defense wasn’t included in the last bill to fund the federal government. The $6.5 million would have trained special forces in languages and regional histories that instructors prepare and support U.S. military personnel to deploy worldwide to counter threats and work with allies.
Montana Legislature passes $100 million bill to raise starting teacher pay
House Bill 252 cleared its final vote in the Senate Tuesday afternoon and is headed to Governor Greg Gianforte’s desk. The STARS Act would direct $100 million toward raising starting teacher pay in Montana’s K through 12 schools. Its key feature is a significant increase in state funding for districts that raise beginning teacher salaries to better align with their average teacher pay.
Montana VA Continues To Earn Veteran Trust
According to a recent customer survey trust among Montana VA Health Care System Veteran patients has increased 11.5% from 2019 when it had a trust score of 82.2% in the month of April. Over the last twelve months from April 2024 to March 2025 the Montana VA has maintained a Veteran Trust Score average of 91.36%.
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Missoula County Commissioners approved donating $125,000 to the Johnson Street Housing Sprint Fund Tuesday. The remittance is via the Missoula Redevelopment Agency to help rehouse roughly 160 shelter guests as the city winds its operations down and does not draw money from county-only residents.
Kristin Bail will serve as acting regional forester for the Northern Region effective March 31st. She will oversee management of nine national forests and one national grassland within Montana Idaho and North Dakota. Bail will temporarily succeed Regional Forester Leanne Marten as she reaches her retirement date after 34 years of service.
The Roxy Theatre Board of Trustees has reinstalled the trademark neon sign after the theater’s closure in 2019. Downtown Shelby will be lit up at night once again thanks to the non-profit made up of the six Shelby community members.
Shodair Children’s Hospital has announced a $250,000 donation from Stockman Bank making the bank the Premier Leadership Sponsor of Shodair’s Hope Campaign. Shodair is Montana’s only pediatric specific acute and residential treatment provider and Stockman’s investment helps bridge the gap in unfunded care.
