Guest Opinions

Working together to bring back high school sports and performing arts

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Since the shutdown of high school sports and performing arts programs in mid-March, there have been more questions than answers. When will schools re-open? Will states be able to conduct spring championships? When will schools begin summer activities? And the latest burning question, Will schools be able to conduct sports and other activities this fall and, if so, what will they look like?

Coronavirus shutdown exposes need for regulatory takings legislation in Montana

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Keeping Montana small businesses afloat during the corona virus shutdown was one of the most important actions taken by our federal government. The relief package kept many people working and may prevent, in the long term, the closure of thousands of businesses.

Focusing on our workforce: Workforce and fireworks

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July Fourth should be a time of celebration and reflection for our country. It should be a time to say we are all proud to be an American, and thankful of the freedoms that go with that honor. However, currently businesses and families are being impacted by COVID-19 issues. Racial tension in our country is again growing and many businesses are paying a price. As we watch the news across this great land, we see a lot of racial unrest and unhappiness. We see people taking advantage of our freedoms to express their social concerns. This is being done in some cases through looting, burning or robbing businesses.

Nurses’ association encourages wearing of masks

Montana Nurses Association strongly encourages all Montana citizens wear facemasks to help limit the spread of the coronavirus. As COVID-19 spreads across the globe and cases continue to increase in Montana, the chances that you will be exposed and get sick continue to increase.

Extension FCS position worth keeping

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It has been suggested to me by many people in Fergus/ Petroleum County, that perhaps I should write to explain exactly why upon my retirement, the decision of whether or not to fill the MSU Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent position is up to the Fergus County Commissioners.

Be informed: Healthcare continues to be attacked

Montana nurses know the Affordable Care Act is not perfect; however, a repeal at any level is not supported by the nurses or the patients they serve. Montana nurses know certain aspects of the current ACA help to provide much needed healthcare for Montana patients. How do we keep what works (preexisting condition coverage, essential health benefits, for example) and adjust or fix what isn’t working without compromising our public’s health? Some Attorneys General are pushing forward with a lawsuit (aiming to be heard this fall) to dismantle the ACA, even despite experiencing our current pandemic due to coronavirus.

America is in chaos

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I am appalled at the chaos which is destroying America with cities burning, lifelong businesses looted and destroyed, with mayors and governors enabling violence against ordinary American citizens. America must elect leaders willing to support Trump’s efforts to provide jobs and incomes for all Americans, regardless of their skin color or backgrounds.

Words matter

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“Adverbs are not your friends,” wrote Stephen King in his book on “The Art of Writing.”

Senate passes bill to guarantee $900 million annually to LWCF

This week, thanks to the support of Sen. Jon Tester and Sen. Steve Daines, the U.S. Senate passed S. 3422, the Great American Outdoors Act. This is a bipartisan bill to improve our public lands, stabilize funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and provide economic relief to help kickstart the economy.

The federal government owns 640 million acres of land across all 50 states, much of which is open to the public for recreational use. In Montana, 27 million acres are owned by the federal government, greater than 29 percent of the state’s total landmass.

True inclusive democracy cannot thrive at the barrel of a gun

America has some reconciling to do with white supremacy; not just the guys in white hoods, but the structures and practices that have kept white people in power and disproportionately hurt people of color.

Poll

Do you think Montana is ready to move on to the next phase of the governor's re-opening plan?