As cannabis sales pass $1 billion lawmakers ok block on new dispensaries
Montana’s cannabis industry has surpassed $1 billion in total sales since recreational marijuana was legalized in 2022. According to preliminary data collected by the state the three years of sales have generated around $170 million in tax revenue for the state. The industry has outpaced sales projections made by economists at the state Legislature and University of Montana.
Senate Taxation Committee moves major property tax bills to Senate floor
The Senate Taxation Committee made headway Wednesday on the property tax debate by moving bills originating in the House through the committee. Governor Greg Gianforte’s favored bill House Bill 231 moved on as did House Bill 155 which has become a flagship bill from Democrats in both chambers. Some Republicans also feel rebates are the way to provide tax relief while the HB 231 camp and the Democrats try and adjust tax rates.
County jails in Montana at capacity new bill could increase capacity
Most of the state’s county jails are at full capacity of about 3,200 inmates. House Bill 833 that would address the issue had its first hearing in the Senate Finance and Claims committee Wednesday. A savings account would allow the state to put $250 million aside to construct a new women’s prison and of that $30 million would be made available for transitional costs.
Plans to cut Montana sites by DOGE
At least 12 government offices in Montana are currently on the chopping block as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal government. The Trump administration plans to shut down multiple Social Security offices Border Patrol facilities wildlife station and other buildings used for federal work across Montana part of a cost-cutting campaign.
Bobby’s Law receives widespread support from state lawmakers and local advocates
Legislation mandating harsher penalties for drunk drivers is poised to reach the governor’s desk after receiving near-unanimous support from the state Senate. Under House Bill 267 driving with a blood alcohol level at or above 0.16 would be considered inherently negligent allowing prosecutors to more easily pursue serious legal charges for drunk driving incidents. If found guilty offenders would face a state prison term of three to 30 years a fine between $10,000 and $50,000 or both.
Border Patrol agents in Montana call them gang members even as cases are dismissed
Border Patrol agents arrested three foreign men in northern Montana in March alleging their affiliations to the infamous Tren de Aragua gang and prosecutors charged the men with being in the country illegally. According to the Montana Free Press a month later the criminal cases against two of the men have been dismissed. Just the allegations though could put them at risk of being sent to a prison in El Salvador.
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Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez filled the Adams Center in Missoula Wednesday with 7,500 people sitting on bleachers with another 1,500 outside for their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. They came to hear the message to push against a system they describe as broken for everyday workers and devastating the things they love.
Missoula County sponsored grants that pay for local crisis intervention and stabilization services opened for application this week. The Mental Health Fund is an annual county grant system meant to help children and adults experiencing behavioral health crisis. Both nonprofits and government agencies are eligible for the grant.
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry is partnering with the Fort Belknap Indian Community for the first career fair it’s held in collaboration with a Tribal Nation April 30th. Over 600 students from across the Hi-Line are set to meet in Harlem for the event which will include over 50 businesses with activities that give students an idea of the jobs available to them.
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has rejected a petition from Upper Missouri Waterkeeper and the Big Hole River Foundation asking for an impairment designation tied to nutrients pollution in the Big Hole River. The petition cited years of water quality data collected by the Big Hole River Foundation and the injurious effects to fish and other aquatic life of associated algae blooms nurtured by nutrients pollution.
