Opinion
In our previous columns, we introduced our organization and explained our constitutionally granted Right to Know, underscoring its importance. This time, we’ll talk about the accessibility of this Right for individuals from Carter County to Kalispell, how “fees” can disrupt the right, and what MTP is doing to increase your accessibility. The framers of our state Constitution crafted the Right to Know to help create more responsive, open, and accountable state and local governments. Along with the vote, our power to access government information is our check on the government. Through this Right we have the power to exercise oversight, meaningfully participate in decisio...
As the Executive Director of the Montana Nonprofit Association, a membership association that supports more than 850 organization across the state, I’m dismayed by multiple recent incidents of political leaders and influencers casting local public charities across Montana as “dark money” gr...
Editor, I am not sure how ignorant some of our county commissioners really believe we are, or perhaps our failure to bring in new leadership over the years gives them permission to continue with non-productive activities that fail to improve our lives here. The most current blatant example comes from t...
A very good friend shared a written message regarding thoughts on aging with me. It was about growing old, but not feeling like you are growing old. It gave me pause to ponder. Your hair may be graying. Your skin thins and sags. Laugh lines - aka wrinkles - provide evidence of the happiness you&rsqu...
News from Upper Seven Law HELENA — On June 13, 2024, a group of Montana voters responded to Senator Keith Regier’s unprecedented attempt to avoid discovery of documents related to partisan gerrymandering of the Public Service Commission (“PSC”). A district court previously held tha...
Editor, I am writing today to remember my friend Rod Johnson. Rod passed in April, much too young, after suffering from health issues. The family wrote a great obituary, outlining the success Rod had achieved through the years and many of his personal time activities. I wanted to touch on some of...
We have successfully kicked off our annual Summer Reading Program with over 100 attendees at our first program and 289 registrations on the first day. It’s not too late to register – you actually have until Aug. 10. Visit our website or stop in the library for details. We have wonderful incentive...
Having proudly served as former Secretaries of State in Montana, we understand how important democracy is to the people of our state. It’s not a matter of what side of the aisle you stand on – it’s a matter of what you value. Recently our state’s Supreme Court reaffirmed that Monta...
I write to encourage a call to action. We must immediately address the illegal immigration happening in Montana. I, as well as many Montanans have seen the numbers – fentanyl confiscation in Montana up by 20,000%, sex trafficking up by 116%, illegal immigration at our northern border up 597% with over ...
Editor, We can all relax. We can feel fine. We can put aside any worries we may have about our nation’s future. We can know that all our political and personal lives will continue in relative How do I know this? I know it because of this most wonderful and vivid dream I had last night. It s...
