Opinion
Editor, The right to vote is under attack across the United States, and in Montana, one form of it is going against what the voters in 2014 clearly affirmed in a referendum. House Bill 176 would end same-day voter registration that has been law since 2005 and close late, in-person registration by 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day. The bill is due to be heard in the Senate Administration committee on Feb. 17 – having already passed in the House. It is more than likely going to pass in the Republican dominated Senate and signed into law by Republican Governor Gianforte. Supporters cite the chance to stop voter fraud. Just how much voter fraud has Montana endured? It s...
Editor, I’m almost ashamed to be a fourth generation Montanan. I grew up with the belief that everyone had the right to personal liberty, earned by personal responsibility. Now, I’m seeing “every man for himself.” I’m seeing too many people choosing to stomp hard on ...
The Montana Legislature is leveling one of the most aggressive attacks on public hunters we’ve ever seen under the guise of protecting gun rights. HJ 5, sponsored by Rep. Brad Tschida, R-Lolo, states that taxing firearms is unconstitutional, and unenforceable. Apparently, Rep. Tschida and supp...
Vitamins are essential to our health and wellbeing. We acquire the majority of these vitamins through the foods we eat; however, there is one vitamin that we get from the sun. A deficiency of this essential nutrient can be disastrous, and yet, somehow a group of people living in a place with too little sun f...
As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of Black History Month, it is fitting to acknowledge that small business owners are some of the strongest, most resilient people you will ever meet. With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting communities large and small nationwide, its impact has been felt in every sector...
Like so many Montanans, I grew up with a rifle in one hand and a shotgun in the other. I converted my love of shooting into a 25-year career in the firearms industry. I helped build an iconic international gun company. I sold millions of guns. I’ve won awards, even been a finalist for the &ldq...
Editor, The Bread Basket Board would like to thank the over 225 individuals, families, businesses and foundations that helped support the Bread Basket in 2020. Strife can bring out the best or worst in people, and in this area of Western Montana, people really came through for the hungry, food ch...
Editor, Accountability can sometimes take longer than we want, but I bet we will know a lot more by 2022. Uncomfortable facts and awkward alliances are being exposed to the light of truth and, hopefully, coming to a neighborhood near you. Montanans have long held a fundamental belief in personal ...
Editor, Senate Bill 65, an act to revise civil liability law, setting conditions on civil actions for exposure to COVID-19, is being promoted as a new law to protect business from frivolous COVID-19 lawsuits; however, professional testimony in Helena confirmed zero frivolous lawsuits in Montana over...
Editor, Most state agency directors appointed by Gov. Greg Gianforte are getting paid at substantially higher salaries than their predecessors under the Bullock administration – some as much as 46 percent more. Public Health and Human Services: $165,000 – a 46 percent increase. Commerce: $1...
