Columns

LEWISTON, MAINE — Eighteen killed, 13 injured in a rampage by a guy with an assault rifle. The shooter: a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserves. The community locked down until he’s placed in custody. Press conferences; school classes cancelled; politicians falling all over each other with their thoughts and prayers — and, choreographed for the evening news, bloviating frustration and rage (at least through that news cycle). Soon the memorials and funerals; sermons about senseless murder, but the deceased being in a better place; and CNN doing spots about the victims. Grieving family members being interviewed: “And, how are you feeling...

As the first snow is falling, and freezing temperatures hit, we are getting pummeled with another huge energy rate increase, thanks to the five Republicans on the Montana Public Service Commission. On Wednesday, the Commission unanimously approved a 28% rate increase from last year, the majority of which ...

Don’t let all the bad news get you down. True, we’re facing lots of crises, some of which even carry a risk of human extinction (nuclear war, climate change, maybe even AI). But there is hope, and you can start experiencing it simply by chatting with your neighbors.  A few months ago, I w...

Montana collects $2.1 billion in property tax, with allocations as follows: 56% to schools, 28% to counties, 11% to cities/towns, and 5% to special districts. The 6 statewide university mills stay at the state, while the 95 statewide school mills are redistributed to local community schools, accounting for 3...

Hunting season has arrived! As hunters flock to the hills in pursuit of Montana’s treasured big game species, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the good work that was done in this spring’s legislative session for hunters, landowners, and conservationists alike.  Wildlife issues have...

The Legislature’s major zoning reforms to increase the supply of affordable housing in Montana have made a lot of news, but there was also another significant pillar of our pro-housing work during the session: cutting red tape.  Excessive government regulations have been one of the barriers to ...

Note to readers (and self) super glue does not mix well with granite countertops. Recently I had the opportunity to experience this noxious combination in the comfort of my own kitchen. This was not of my doing. But you already knew that. Late one night (when all the excitement happens at my house) my ...

The pharmaceutical industry is renowned for its breakthrough therapies that have saved countless lives. Yet, the reality is taxpayers subsidize most research and development investments in new medicines—and Big Pharma companies are increasingly focusing their strategic know-how on gaming the patent sys...

By definition, I am an introvert. I’m usually okay with time alone and minimal interactions with other humans. I enjoy conversations within my own head and maybe, perhaps have a significant relationship with both my phone and my laptop. However, lately I’ve noticed the world has sort of taken ...

The 2021 and 2023 sessions of Montana’s Legislature perpetrated a full-on war against Montana’s courts and judiciary. Dozens of anti-court/anti-judiciary bills were offered in these last two legislative sessions. The objective of these attacks? Demonize and marginalize Montana’s courts, ...