Opinion

Greetings from Helena. During the last couple weeks, I’ve had two pieces of legislation generate well over 1,500 emails or messages to me either in support or opposition. One of those bills was SB 111 that would allow disabled hunters to use crossbows during archery season and the other was SB 115. SB 115 brought by Senator Keith Regier, of Kalispell, is an act clarifying the process for easements and land acquisition made by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. From 1992 until 2018, all land acquisitions and easements with a large price tag went through the FWP Commission and then moved onto the State Land Board for final review. That process worked very well for over 25 ye...

We would like to thank all of the individuals, organizations and businesses who so willingly gave of their time to “ring the bell” for the Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign. This was a very different year for the Kettle Campaign – the coronavirus changed our lifestyles and thinking abo...

Editor, We should oppose HB102, An Act Generally Revising Gun Laws. Astonishingly, this bill would allow people to carry a concealed firearm without a permit in most places. Those with permits would be allowed to carry in state and local government offices and restaurants and other places where alcohol is...

Editor,  When politicians call for an end to discord and for a new unity, it reminds me of an old story. A person was lamenting, “There is too much dissension. Why don’t the Christians join together with the Hindus, and the Muslims join with the Jews, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses joi...

Editor,  I am opposed to House Bill 102. It would allow the possession of firearms on the campuses of the Montana State University system. It is reckless to consider this change that adds firearms to college campuses.   This bill threatens our vulnerable young people and others. Suicide is th...

Editor,  It is time that we as citizens of the United States get out of conspiracy land, including: 1. Joe Biden won by seven-million votes. 2. There is no legal proof of election fraud. 3. Our leaders, Steve Daines and Matt Rosendale, need to acknowledge that Biden won. 4. To not acknowledge the fac...

Editor,  The federal water compact legislation provides the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes with $90 million a year over the next ten years, beginning this year, to rehabilitate and modernize our broken-down irrigation project. Because rehabilitation and modernization will have an impact on t...

If you are in need of tech help, we have the guy for you.  Please join us in welcoming our new Information Technology Librarian, Bruce Fussell, to the Library. Bruce is taking appointments for one-on-one assistance either through Zoom or in the library. He is ready to answer your questions. Watch for hi...

I have been studying HB 102, the new bill which was just passed in the MT House. The bill would expand places where guns are permitted, namely universities, bars and restaurants. I would like to start by revisiting the conversation about guns in public spaces. I feel we need to have an honest discussion a...

If the past year’s challenges posed by the pandemic have taught us anything, it’s that Montanans in all corners of the state need increased, more affordable access to healthcare, and my bill moving through the state legislature will do just that. I’m sponsoring Senate Bill 101 to authori...