Montana’s budget: what the backbone of state policy looks like and how it works
A draft of Montana’s state budget for the next two years continues to push through the Legislature heading to its last major round of debate on the Senate floor this week. The current version sits at around $16.6 billion in spending with a large portion going toward healthcare and education. $7.3 billion accounting for nearly half of the state budget comes from federal funds.
Lawmakers Advance Bill Defining Sex as a Binary
The Montana House has given preliminary approval to a bill that would define sex as a binary in Montana. Senate Bill 437 is one of a series of bills passed this session that proponents say are clarifying definitions under law and opponents say are reducing the rights of the transgender community. It passed second reading Friday with a 56 to 44 vote and awaits a final vote before heading to the governor’s desk.
Steve Arveschoug, Executive Director of Big Sky Economic Development, Retires Tuesday After 16.5 Years of Service
After 16 and a half years Steve Arveschoug Executive Director of Big Sky Economic Development will retire effective Tuesday April 15th. Over the years he’s had some good and bad times but has built character over time.
(Steve Arveschoug)
There was a retirement party Friday evening at the Northern Hotel in Billings that was well attended by community business leaders, friends and family for Steve Arveschoug.
Kalispell Man Convicted of Poaching Three Whitetail Deer and Faces Seven Misdemeanor Charges
A Kalispell man, Cody H. Carr, has been convicted of seven misdemeanors for poaching three whitetail deer in the North Fork area. Charges included wasting game animals and unlawful possession. The investigation was led by Game Warden Nate Muhn. Sentencing details are pending as the case moves through Flathead County Justice Court.
Gianforte poll numbers steady in second term
According to new poll data released by Morning Consult most Montanans have a positive view of Governor Greg Gianforte in the early months of his second term in office. From January through March of this year the state’s chief executive had a 56% approval rating among Montanans with 34% of respondents disapproving of his job performance. Gianforte has the 16th highest approval rating among all governors and seventh highest among Republicans.
Interior Department to boost coal industry with policy and regulatory reforms
The Department of the Interior is reinforcing its focus on promoting the coal industry as part of the Trump administration’s goal for American Energy Dominance. The Bureau of Land Management will amend resource management plans in Montana and Wyoming to remove restrictions on new federal coal projects especially focusing on the Powder River Basin. It could open access to previously restricted federal coal reserves.
Bill That Tries to Address Wildfires in West Has Bipartisan Support
The Fix Our Forests Act a bill co-sponsored by Senator Tim Sheehy is designed to reduce wildfire risks and increase firefighting cooperation across state lines in the U.S. Western region. It is backed by senators from Utah Colorado and California. A House version of the bill passed in January. This bill establishes requirements for managing forests on federal land. It includes requirements concerning reducing wildfire threats expediting the review of some forest management projects and implementing forest management projects.
Bills aimed at addressing Montana Supreme Court’s climate decision near governor’s desk
A package of bills aimed at addressing the Montana Supreme Court’s landmark decision in the Held versus Montana case is nearing the end of its legislative journey and some of the proposals are already on their way to the governor for his signature. The combination of the primary four bills that make changes to the Montana Environmental Policy Act streamline energy production and clarify how and when greenhouse gases can be tracked.
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The Old Farmer’s Almanac is calling for warmer through the month but rainfall is expected to be below normal. In May we should expect cooler than normal temperatures but rainfall should be above normal. There is hope the weather pattern won’t turn into a hot and dry summer for Montana which could lead to an active fire season.
The Montana Food Bank Network has received a $250,000 grant from Republic Services which will go towards the construction of the organization’s repack room in its new facility in Missoula. The bigger repack room will improve volunteer workflow to provide emergency food assistance. The expansion will double the production and reduce costs for the organization.
Construction is underway on a $6.1 million project in Billings to get rid of most of the one-way streets in the city center along with back-in diagonal parking downtown. Crews with the Great Falls-based Montana Lines are scheduled to convert eight of the one-way streets in central Billings to allow two-way traffic this summer.
Landowners have until May 1st to apply for Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks’ Elk Hunting Access Agreement Program which was established by the 2001 Legislature. It provides landowners with an elk license including elk B an either-sex permit or combination of the two in exchange for allowing free public hunting access for elk management purposes.
