Letters to the Editor
Editor, The Republican party of limited government is on a rampage to impose restrictions on Montana local governments. The Legislature proposes to impose oversight and/or approval of county health boards and their decisions. County health boards have professional staff that make health related decisions based upon their expertise and established protocols. Yet, the Legislature has, thus far, approved the idea that city councils and county commissioners will oversee health related decisions. This action would allow individuals with no medical experience to make health related decisions that would affect us all. This is dangerous because it means that politics, rather than medica...
Editor, Federal Water Compact legislation provides irrigators and tribes options for reestablishing a joint entity to manage the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project FIIP. The earlier Cooperative Management Entity CME successfully managed the project from 2010 until early 2014, but because...
Editor, Both state Legislatures and Congress are introducing bills that either restrict ballot access for security reasons or improve access to allow greater participation. In Montana, HB176 eliminates same-day voter registration (important to tribal members), while HB169 restricts the types of I...
Editor, Voting is an American principle and a basic democratic right that should be protected, promoted and practiced. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 24th Amendment are legally considered issues related to our election system. And yet, in 2021, we have an onslaught of 2021 legislators from...
Editor, It was a great turnout for the Ronan St. Patrick’s Day parade. The bagpipes were my first live music in a year. Nothing ever sounded better. The 4-H ‘ers were there along with floats of all kinds. The theme was Irish but then along came a float that I hope to never see again in a...
Editor, I’m sure I am not the only person distraught over the goings on at the legislature. I’m concerned that they don’t appear to have done much research on a lot of bills. Legislators have squandered lots of tax dollars looking out for themselves and their buddies, not the common good...
Editor, The reason Montana has the best campaign finance laws is because the Anaconda Corporation proved to Montana citizens that is was easy for corporations to buy off politicians, which is not unlike what we are seeing today. HB 224 and HB 225 are intended to loosen the restrictions that have ...
Editor, As of mid-February, Republican legislators in 43 states have proposed over 250 laws that would limit mail, early in-person and Election Day voting. Montana House Bill 176 would end same day voter registration. Under current law, the registration remains open until polls close at 8 p.m. on El...
Editor, It probably takes some adjustments for many of us to suddenly, after four years of the Trump administration, adjust to our new less theatrical presidential leadership style. President Biden’s personality, his leadership style and his verbal delivery are much less theatrical ...
Editor, This past weekend, the U.S. Senate passed a $1.9 trillion “COVID relief” package. The House is set to vote on it this week. What you may not know is that tucked in the Democrats’ “COVID relief” is a provision that would pay up to 120 percent of USDA loans to socially ...
