Opinion
Editor, The Montana State Legislature is considering eliminating same-day voter registration with HB 176. A democracy is about the government representing the people. The people express what they want by voting. More voters means more accurate representation, and any action that limits the number of people who can vote excludes them from the democratic process. If fraud is the concern, those votes can be conditional until the voter is confirmed as legally able to vote. If lack of office staff to handle both registration and voting is the concern, extra staff can be added for the day; it’s not as weighty a problem as is not letting citizens be represented. Montana has allow...
Editor, The party of small government, personal responsibility and local control has leaned into passing laws that are not part of their stated values. Transgender and anti-abortion bills go against personal responsibility. The legislature is very busy trying to rule over municipal regulations to...
Editor, House Bill 176 would end same-day voter registration, which is a blatant voter suppression tactic. Republicans are attacking the right to vote by making it more difficult for voters that already struggle to access voter registration due to distance, lack of transportation or lack of information.&n...
After 16 years of Democrat governors running state government, Montana is in serious need of tax reform to help Montana businesses create good-paying jobs and encourage investment and entrepreneurship in the Treasure State. Our new governor, Greg Gianforte, is prioritizing updating and reforming Mo...
Our state and the way of life we have enjoyed for decades is in danger of being lost. With a new governor and new legislature in session, it is vital Montana citizens are aware of the harmful actions occurring right now in Helena: politicizing our courts, substantially remaking state government, diminishing ...
Editor, Apparently, Representative Linda Reksten doesn’t think much of our Lake County Commissioners. In March of 2018, our commissioners decided to protect public health by including e-cigarettes in their Clean Indoor Air Act protections. As a result, people in our community are prot...
Editor, HB112, the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” requires interscholastic trans-athletes to participate within their sex assigned at birth. This legislation illustrates a remarkable lack of awareness of the current thinking in medical and athletic communities regarding transgender athletes....
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...
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...
