Opinion
The Montana Supreme Court’s recent decision in Held v. Montana, the youth climate change case, is momentous but ultimately appropriately limited in scope. It is momentous because it is the first time a state Supreme Court has decided that citizens have a constitutional right to a stable climate system. It is also limited in scope because the decision leaves it to the legislature and state agencies to determine how the state should measure and regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The decision is respectful of the separation of constitutional powers and does not encroach upon the authority of the legislature or state agencies. The case arose out of laws passed by the state legislature ...
Millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent during my short time in the legislature to hire lobbyists that represent schools and local governments – all funded by Montana taxpayers. Time and time again, these lobbyists and organizations come into legislative hearings and oppose bills that restrict the...
As a dentist in my professional life, I have the responsibility of making sure my patients maintain great oral health and overall health. I also have the tremendous honor of serving the Chair of Joint Subcommittee on Health and Human Services in the Montana legislature, which is responsible for making sure M...
Tax increment financing (TIF) is a policy driver that incentivizes private developers to develop in areas they would not otherwise develop, e.g., 100-year-old vacant blighted structures full of contaminants on rural Main Streets. Why? They can’t cash flow them. They can’t maximize their profits. ...
This series has already discussed the changes in Montana’s climate, the science behind those changes, and some of the impacts on Montana’s agriculture industry. When it comes to our own health, or the health of our families, things get more personal. Even discussing the health impacts of clima...
Editor, Our Congressional representatives Congressman Ryan Zinke, Senator Steve Daines, and Senator Tim Sheehy are not honoring the pledge that each of them took to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Zinke and Sheehy have taken multiple pledges with their military service. Our Const...
Editor, The present chaos in our nation and our world calls for a dramatic change in the way we humans live together. This change can only occur by how we individually think, speak, and act. For me this change occurred in the summer of 1982. That summer I was introduced to a course of study that ...
Editor, To Senator Daines - recently, you proclaimed that the inauguration of Donald Trump as 47th president marks a new day in America. Wow. Where to start. Calling Trump’s cabinet nominations “all-star” is laughable. Pete Hegseth, ousted as head of two veterans’ groups for mis...
Property tax relief is a top priority for Senate Republicans this legislative session. I’m sponsoring one such bill, SB 2, which reforms how tax increment financing (TIF) districts sunset – if they ever do – in order to lower property taxes for all local taxpayers. Essentially, the bill rew...
Editor, As recounted by Economist Roger Smith, (Jan. 21), the U.S. lags behind other G7 nations in many metrics of national wealth: poverty, incarceration rates, infant mortality, academic performance, homelessness, and … health outcomes. Why, given our dismal standing among developed nations, i...
