Guest Opinions

Comment on Executive Order 14017, supply chains for the production of agricultural commodities, part 1

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This column was written as a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack:

Whitefish City Council opposed to HB 257

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The Whitefish City Council has voiced strong opposition to HB 257, which was signed into law by Governor Gianforte on May 7. While Governor Gianforte claims HB 121 gives more control to local elected officials over local public health issues, HB 257 effectively strips the Whitefish City Council of the authority to enforce its mask mandate that was implemented to protect the health and wellbeing of our citizens and visitors. “Many of the

Responsible state budget will drive Montana’s economic comeback

The primary constitutional duty of the Montana Legislature each session is to pass a balanced two-year state budget. House Bill 2 is the state budget bill and it reflects months of work by House and Senate committees to set Montana’s economy up for a strong comeback through responsible state spending and tax reductions. The biennial budget keeps government spending well

Montana’s comeback depends on HB 397

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Montana is facing a housing crisis. A lack of affordable housing is keeping working Montanans out of homes and forcing families to pay up to 50% or more of their monthly incomes in rent. Lumber prices and labor shortages make it even tougher for developers to offer affordable homes to working families.

2021 Montana Legislative summary

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Legislators and lobbyists have packed up and headed out of Helena, but the work of the 67th Montana Legislature is not yet complete. Governor Greg Gianforte has up to ten business days to sign, veto or ignore the bills that have reached his desk to determine the full fate of the session.

Montana Outfitters and Guides Association looks at legislative session

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The Montana Legislature acted to significantly ease the economic impact of the COVID pandemic on small businesses and communities, particularly in rural areas, and will help provide needed stability for the Montana outfitting industry and the thousands of jobs it supports in retail, hospitality and more.

Recapping the 67th legislative session: promises made, promises kept

The 67th Session of the Montana Legislature is one Montanans can be proud of. Voters sent us to Helena with a mandate to change the way state government does business. At the beginning of the session, we made policy promises we are proud to report we have delivered on.

Ranch Act promotes healthy rangelands

The Montana Stockgrowers Association along with the Montana Public Lands Council applaud the Resiliency for Ranching and Natural Conservation Health Act recently introduced by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY.) This legislation includes positive changes and improvements to the management of grazing permits and leases.

Montana Farmers Union appreciates lawmakers for action on Meat Inspection Bill

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Montana Farmers Union appreciates the efforts of two state lawmakers’ work to amend HB 2, a budget bill, that will allow the state to explore more opportunities for meat processing as well as level the playing field for custom butchers.

May is Pink Ribbon month

For the past 12 years, Central Montana Family Planning/Montana Cancer Screening Program has turned our tiny towns of Central Montana pink in hopes that this small showing by local businesses or organizations will help spread the awareness of the importance of early screening and detection of breast cancer can save lives. We have asked businesses and organizations to place our laminated window signs or banners and their own pink merchandise or other decorations in their storefronts or windows as a sign of support for the month of May. We have prepared over 150 pink ribbon bags and supplies to cover Fergus, Judith Basin, Wheatland, Musselshell, Petroleum and Golden Valley counties. Each pink ribbon bag is supplied with a small gift to each participant and some pink butter mints and laminated signs to place on their counters in hopes that this might make someone notice that the town has been turned Pink during May in honor of “Pink Ribbon Month.”