Government

News from Montana Legislature MONTANA — Anyone driving Montana’s highways knows the risk of colliding with deer and other wildlife. Hardly a mile goes by without the gruesome reminders of hit animals, broken bumpers, or smashed headlights scattered on the shoulder.  According to the Bozeman-based Western Transportation Institute, collisions with wildlife can be reduced by up to 85 percent with the installation of wildlife crossing infrastructure such as fencing and under and overpasses. Such installations have been effective in several western states, including Nevada and Wyoming, as well as here in Montana on the Flathead Indian Reservation and up the Blackfoot Riv...

News from the offices of Senator Tester, Senator Daines MONTANA — The Department of Education has granted Montana schools flexibility in standardized testing for the 2023-2024 academic year. The Administration’s approval of this waiver will support OPI’s Montana Alternative Student Tes...

I’ve been hearing some questions from Montanans who are grateful for the over $1 billion in one-time and ongoing tax relief passed by legislative Republicans, but also say they want to see the state make smart investments for the long term. The conservative budgeting from the legislature and resulti...

News from the American Civil Liberties Union  MISSOULA — Today, the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Montana, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) filed an amicus brief in the consolidated lawsuits brought by TikTok and five TikTok creators challenging the constitutionality of ...

News from the office of Governor Gianforte HELENA — On July 25 Governor Greg Gianforte called on U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to identify 11 counties, including several in northwest Montana, as primary natural disaster areas. The governor’s statewide drought disaster declaration...

News from Upper Seven Law HELENA — A federal district court in Helena issued a temporary restraining order on Friday, July 28, ensuring that Montana Pride events will go forward without disruption or fear of liability beginning July 30. A diverse group of plaintiffs—including a public-sch...

News from the Dept. of Labor and Industry HELENA — Montana reached its 20th consecutive month of unemployment below 3 percent in June, according to data compiled by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Montana Department of Labor & Industry. Since Governor Greg Gianforte was elected,...

News from the office of Governor Gianforte HELENA — On July 13 Governor Greg Gianforte submitted a System Operational Request to the Columbia River Technical Management Team (TMT) to address low water levels in Flathead Lake. The governor noted that, in accordance with TMT guidelines, TMT membe...

News from OPI HELENA — Following collaboration with Tribal leaders in Montana, Superintendent Arntzen submitted newly proposed rules on the Montana Indian Language Preservation (MILP) program to the Montana Secretary of State. During the 68th legislative session, HB 287, sponsored by Representativ...

News from the office of Governor Gianforte HELENA — Joining Representative Tom Welch, R-Dillon, Governor Greg Gianforte this week celebrated a new law which provides Montana homeowners up to $1,350 in property tax rebates over the next two years. “Property taxes are too high, which is why...