Job market in Mountain West and Pacific regions sees decline
According to the latest data from payroll company ADP the American job market showed mixed results in March. The Mountain West region which includes Montana and Idaho witnessed a loss of 12,000 jobs and in the Pacific region which encompasses Washington 29,000 jobs were lost. Overall the West was the only region to report job losses in March.
Governor Gianforte says he is willing to listen to other property tax proposals
At a press conference at the state capital today, Governor Greg Gianforte said he remained optimistic that his income tax cut and property tax relief proposals can be revived despite rejection by the Senate Taxation Committee. The Governor noted he is willing to listen to other property tax proposals but laid down one important criterion that must be met.
(Gianforte property tax relief)
New Mexico Consider’s State of Emergency Over Wolf Attacks as Montana Lawmakers Propose Extended Hunting Season
Rural New Mexico’s Catron County commissioners may declare a state of emergency due to pets being stolen and livestock killed by endangered Mexican gray wolves. Today, they discussed hiring more staff to investigate damage. Meanwhile, Montana lawmakers propose a bill extending the wolf hunting season amid ongoing management debates.
Governor’s tax relief efforts in limbo after Montana senators table key bills
The state Legislature was packed with tight votes on tax bills this week including three a legislative committee stopped from moving forward Wednesday. The Senate Taxation Committee voted down a key Democrat-backed property tax relief bill and Governor Greg Gianforte’s priority income tax and property tax bills. Providing property tax relief is the Legislature’s main task for this session which is entering its final weeks.
Committee revives effort to strip MT voters’ ability to elect some regulators
Senate Bill 561 would strip the power of Montana voters to elect all five of the Montana Public Service Commission members and instead let the governor and the Montana Senate appoint and confirm three of them. Currently all five members are elected by voters in five separate districts in Montana and can serve two four-year terms back-to-back. Thursday is the deadline to act on the Senate bill.
Montana Saw 4.2% Increase in Retail Businesses Since 2020, Above U.S. Average
Montana has seen a 4.2% Increase in Retail Businesses Since 2020 which is above the U.S. Average. An analysis by Printastic a leading provider of custom signs and banners for businesses says retail demand across the U.S. varies with some regions experiencing a surge in new businesses while others continue to see declines. The sports hobbies and books sector has the most retail establishments.
HUD restores Montana Fair Housing’s grant-funding
Montana Fair Housing’s federal funding has been restored for now. The Butte-based nonprofit suddenly lost 80% of its budget last month due to cuts within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The organization focuses on ending housing discrimination statewide. The reversal comes after a district court judge in Massachusetts ordered a temporary restraining order over the suspension of grants within HUD’s Fair Housing Initiative’s Program.
More Headlines:
A 90-bed prerelease center is on track to open in Evergreen following the settlement of a lawsuit regarding the denial of the center last year. This week the Flathead County Board of Adjustment voted to approve an agreement that approves the conditional use permit required to turn the Greenwood Village Inn and Suites hotel into the center.
This week the Hamilton City Council voted to approve and mail out letters voicing concern over ongoing federal layoffs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Institute of Health. The letters outline concerns over how recent layoffs at Rocky Mountain Labs and the Bitterroot Forest Service will adversely impact Ravalli County’s economy.
A Montana beef marketing bill that would have created the Montana Cattle Committee was tabled in a Senate committee this week. House Bill 119 would have created a program to market Montana beef called a checkoff to help producers sell their product. The bill passed the House 52 to 47 before the Senate ag committee tabled it in a 7 to 4 vote.
Senator Tim Sheehy is the founder Bridger Aerospace that’s contracted with the Forest Service for aerial firefighting says the agency’s inspections are outdated and duplicate of the Federal Aviation Administration’s oversight responsibilities. Sheehy says he’d like to see the end of Forest Service aircraft inspections.
A new House bill aimed at enhancing passenger rail service is progressing in Helena. House Bill 848 backed by the Big Sky Rail Authority seeks to secure federal rail funding to expand freight and passenger service across Montana. The initiative promises investment in rural communities without increasing taxes.
