Columns
During the first half of the 67th Montana Legislature, the Republican Majority logged important achievements, keeping the promises we made to our constituents. We tackled the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing the first hybrid session in Montana history. This hybrid model allowed both legislators and the public to participate remotely. Our COVID-19 Response Panel hired a dedicated contact tracer and implemented testing protocols. As a result, the pandemic situation continues to improve in Helena, allowing Lewis and Clark County to relax restrictions twice during the session. We passed and continue to work on legislation that grows Montana’s econ...
I am very pleased to announce that we have expanded our hours. We now have regular, year-round hours and have even added two extra hours each week from where we were pre-COVID. Our new hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are reserving the hour of 9 a.m. to 10 a...
In 2012, Governor Sam Brownback convinced the Kansas Legislature to enact sweeping tax cut legislation. The plan was billed as a “shot of adrenaline to the heart of the Kansas economy.” As a Republican member of the Kansas House of Representatives at the time, I was intrigued by the proposal but ...
The Valley Journal re-printed an informational article from the Montana Free Press newspaper on Feb. 10 related to Lake County’s attempt to have the Temporary Tribal Tax Exemption statute repealed by the 2021 legislature. I would like to clarify some of the points raised in the article. The Temporar...
After 16 years of Democrat governors running state government, Montana is in serious need of tax reform to help Montana businesses create good-paying jobs and encourage investment and entrepreneurship in the Treasure State. Our new governor, Greg Gianforte, is prioritizing updating and reforming Mo...
Our state and the way of life we have enjoyed for decades is in danger of being lost. With a new governor and new legislature in session, it is vital Montana citizens are aware of the harmful actions occurring right now in Helena: politicizing our courts, substantially remaking state government, diminishing ...
The Montana Legislature is leveling one of the most aggressive attacks on public hunters we’ve ever seen under the guise of protecting gun rights. HJ 5, sponsored by Rep. Brad Tschida, R-Lolo, states that taxing firearms is unconstitutional, and unenforceable. Apparently, Rep. Tschida and supp...
Vitamins are essential to our health and wellbeing. We acquire the majority of these vitamins through the foods we eat; however, there is one vitamin that we get from the sun. A deficiency of this essential nutrient can be disastrous, and yet, somehow a group of people living in a place with too little sun f...
As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of Black History Month, it is fitting to acknowledge that small business owners are some of the strongest, most resilient people you will ever meet. With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting communities large and small nationwide, its impact has been felt in every sector...
Like so many Montanans, I grew up with a rifle in one hand and a shotgun in the other. I converted my love of shooting into a 25-year career in the firearms industry. I helped build an iconic international gun company. I sold millions of guns. I’ve won awards, even been a finalist for the &ldq...
