Montana’s Special Select Committee on Judicial Accountability and Transparency met this week to discuss state policies and procedures for managing public records. During the meeting Executive Director of the Legislative Services Division Susan Fox detailed its process to digitally convert all publicly accessible files and why it was necessary...
Upper Missouri Riverkeepers Disagree With New Measurements For Water Pollution
Last year the Montana Legislature changed how it measures pollution in waterways saying the current numeric system is too difficult and costly to implement however Guy Asentzer head of Upper Missouri Riverkeepers says it is subjective and reactive. He says Montana is well-known for its outdoor recreation a seven-billion industry.
Sen. Minority Leader Abbott Updates On Legislature’s Response To Housing
The statewide housing shortage problem is being addressed by the state Legislature. On Voices of Montana Friday House Minority Leader Kim Abbott was a guest and has some examples.
Upper Missouri Waterkeeper Files Suit Against EPA
The Bozeman-based Upper Missouri Waterkeeper group has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for allegedly failing to intervene after the Montana Legislature rolled back water pollution rules to allow more nutrient pollution to enter streams rivers and other waterways. The EPA has oversight of ...
U.S. Supreme Court Declines Case Between Montana Govt. Branches
The U.S. Supreme Court denied the Montana Legislature’s bid Monday to reverse a ruling by the state Supreme Court in last year’s subpoena showdown between the two branches of state government. It marks the end of a legal conflict that began as lawmakers raised concerns about internal polling of judges on pending legislation. The na...
Superintendent of Public Instruction Provides Update On TEACH Act’s Impact On State Educators
The state education interim committee met Monday to review items of educator recruitment and retainment. During the meeting, Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen also highlighted the recent progress made through the Tomorrow’s Educators Are Coming Home Act that was signed into law one year ago.
Montana Working To Increase Teacher Salaries
Montana is ranked among the lowest states for starting salaries with teacher pay of approximately $35,000 annually. The 67th Legislature appropriated $2,492,048 to incentivize and enhance competitive base pay for early-career teachers. Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen has announced the initial data release on the TEACH ACT as...
Panel Rules PSC Map As Unconstitutional
A three-judge federal judicial panel has ruled the current Montana Public Service Commission map violates the one-person one-vote rule of the U.S. Constitution. Tuesday, the justices ordered Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen to implement a new map ahead of the 2022 election. It shifts Glacier, Pondera and Musselshell Counties into District 1...
Montana Economist Sees Legislature Providing Housing Solution
It’s well known there’s a major housing shortage across Montana but it’s too soon to tell what solutions will look like. Patrick Barkey Director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana recently acknowledged this uncertainty but highlighted one possibility.
New Data Details Pay Increase For Montana Teachers
The Montana Office of Public Instruction released data Tuesday showing an estimated 451 early career teachers who qualify could see a $3,472 increase in their salaries in the coming school year. 94 of the state’s 402 school districts encompassing 33 counties are participating in the Tomorrow’s Educators Are Coming Home Act program passed...