Opinion
Editor, Attending Ronan’s St. Patrick Day parade has been a tradition we look forward to. This year was no different. It was a beautiful day for the parade. We were enjoying ourselves until Benjamin Montgomery Services and Mr. Emporium drove their business vehicle in the parade with a horrible sign in the front, defaming our President of the United States. We went from smiling and laughing to going home in wonderment. Did anyone else feel ashamed and embarrassed that a nice family oriented parade became an ugly political statement? Are there any standards for parade vehicles? What did it have to do with St. Patrick’s Day? What a disappointment St. Patrick&rs...
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 deci...
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 ...
I am honored to have worked with Governor Gianforte to introduce the Students with Special Needs Equal Opportunity Act (House Bill 329) this legislative session. House Bill 329 gives parents flexibility to support the unique educational needs of their child without increasing state spending. The House overwh...
Montana hunters are being shut out of major decisions on future access to elk. The new approach in Helena, led by Speaker Wylie Galt and Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director Hank Worsech, is to spring legislation on us. Making major wildlife management changes without public input benefits few and hur...
