Opinion

SB 379 creates possibilities, not obligations

Every session we have bills that create new potential for Colstrip, those bills are constantly surrounded by media misinformation that is meant to confuse and mislead lawmakers and the public. This session is no different and the current bill in question is Senator Fitzpatrick’s SB 379. Fitzpatrick’s bill creates a pathway for a Montana utility, like NorthWestern, to acquire or lease an additional interest in a coal fired generating unit such as those at Colstrip.

SB 379 Is Bad for Business

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Senate Bill 379 is a bill that is anti-jobs and anti-economic development. For a legislature supposedly focused on the Governor’s rightful concerns for entrepreneurship, it’s a real step backward. Higher electricity bills will harm efforts to attract businesses to Montana.

Earth Day is coming, April 22

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Earth Day! After the year that felt like none other we have ever experienced, how wonderful to have such a bright, optimistic day to revel in. A day for us to show appreciation for the wonders of our glorious Earth, as we observe and enjoy spring, with the rebirth of nature awakening from the long sleep.

New economic theory is taking over

Dear Editor,

A new economic theory is sweeping the nation, Modern Monetary Theory. This is very abstract. We can spend as much as we desire with no constraints. The Fed can infinitely expand their balance sheet with no threat of inflation, no currency devaluation. It simply means print all the money you need.

This is very popular among the naive WOKE crowd. WOKEness has infiltrated government, many state governments, politics, sports, media, mainstream religion, big corporations, the military, even the judiciary.

The meaning of masks

Politicians often invoke the idea that America is to be “a shining city set upon a hill.” Some use the phrase rightly, others don’t. I’ve heard the statement attached to ideas of exceptionalism or superiority, thereby meant to invoke pride. That is not what it is about.

With autism, acceptance is key

April is Autism Acceptance Month. Accepting Autism requires both awareness and understanding. By definition, Autism is a developmental disorder of variable severity that is characterized by difficulty in social interaction and communication and by restricted or repetitive patterns of thoughts and behavior. For parents with a child with Autism, acceptance can be a process. It is life-changing and early intervention and community support are vital.

Bringing crony capitalism to Helena

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I didn’t study political science in college. I’m a soil scientist. So when people sling political terms around, I have to look them up in Webster’s Dictionary.

Legislative update

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The House passed three comprehensive recreational marijuana implementation bills this week. These bills take different approaches to the regulation of recreational marijuana but they all respect the will of voters and ensure proper safeguards are in place. These bills will now go to the Senate, and most likely a conference committee, to decide the safest and most effective way to open the recreational marijuana market in Montana that voters approved. Local control is important and communities will get to decide whether they want sales in their jurisdiction or not. I signed a series of important bills this week that

Questions to ponder

Dear Editor,

Be humane about the Border issues

Dear Editor,

Poll

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