Montana Free Press

04/25/2025

In a response to the ACLU’s lawsuit, the government pushed back on the notion that it revoked student visas and raised allegations of criminal history.

04/25/2025

Petitioners urge DEQ to ‘use all available science’ in considering a future impairment designation.

The state’s environmental regulator’s decision cited a 2021 bill seeking to repeal numeric standards for nitrogen and phosphorus.

04/23/2025

Voters will decide elementary and high school operational levies and a high school safety levy on the ballots mailed this week.

04/23/2025

Lawmakers passed an alternative to Gov. Greg Gianforte’s proposed tax cut with a slightly smaller price tag and slightly more middle-income relief.

House Bill 337, sponsored by Speaker of the House Brandon Ler, R-Savage, scales back the state’s top-bracket tax rate over the next two years while extending a lower-bracket rate to higher incomes. It passed on near-party line votes, with support from all Republicans and opposition from nearly all...

04/22/2025

Eliminating music and PE teachers among reductions needed if elementary school remains open, district says.

04/22/2025

The high-profile STARS Act cleared its final vote in the Senate, sending a top bipartisan education priority to Gianforte’s desk.

The high-profile STARS Act cleared its final vote in the Senate, sending a top bipartisan education priority to the governor’s desk.

04/22/2025

Montana’s powerful hospital lobby was instrumental in renewing the state’s Medicaid expansion program and has also fended off most legislation to increase state oversight of their business.

Republican legislative leaders found out just how formidable a political force the state’s hospitals can be.

04/22/2025

It's week 16 of the 69th Legislature is kicking off week 15. Lawmakers have been talking about proposals to improve access to child care and teacher pay.

It's week 16 of the 69th Legislature is kicking off week 15. Lawmakers have been talking about proposals to improve access to child care and teacher pay. This is 'The Session', a look at the policy and politics inside the Montana statehouse.

04/22/2025

Both Senate Bill 537 and House Bill 932 seek to establish a habitat legacy account, which could be used to fund habitat improvement projects on private land as well as acquire new Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks-administered wildlife management areas.

Both seek to establish a habitat legacy account to fund private-land conservation projects

04/22/2025

During an appearance in state district court in Missoula, state attorneys reiterated supporters’ claims that House Bill 121 aims to protect women and girls. Lawyers for plaintiffs argued the legislation violates constitutional rights to privacy, equal protection and dignity.

A judge temporarily extended the block on the law to give himself more time to decide whether it should take effect while the case is litigated.

04/21/2025

The Trump administration announced last week that it would “expedite permitting” for 10 mining projects across the country, including an exploration beneath the Cabinet Mountains in Lincoln County.

The administration designated 10 projects throughout the country as critical, including the copper and silver mine owned by Helcla Mining Co.

04/21/2025

Funding challenges have crippled the Medicine Bear Lodge homeless shelter on the Blackfeet Reservation. Looming federal cuts could threaten its existence.

The Medicine Bear Lodge homeless shelter on the Blackfeet Reservation is surviving on a shoestring budget. Looming federal cuts could threaten its existence.

04/18/2025

As the end of the legislative session looms, Montana lawmakers brought Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte’s favored property tax relief policy back to life in two different forms. Both include interim rates and a $400 rebate.

Movement comes a day after Montana Senate voted down Gov. Greg Gianforte’s headline property tax policy bill.

04/18/2025

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04/18/2025

Senate-side lawmakers appear to be deeply skeptical of relief measures that, like the governor’s proposal, would tweak tax rates to reduce taxes on homeowners by shifting burden to other types of property. Instead, the Senate’s Republican leadership has voiced support for rebate bills that route non-property tax dollars into discounts for rising tax bills.

Senate-side lawmakers appear to be deeply skeptical of relief measures that, like the governor’s proposal, would tweak tax rates to reduce taxes on homeowners by shifting burden to other types of property. Instead, the Senate’s Republican leadership has voiced support for rebate bills that route...

04/18/2025

Montana public health officials have identified five cases of measles in Gallatin County, the first confirmed instances of the infectious disease in the state since 1990.

The state health department said that all infected individuals are isolating at home.

04/18/2025

The $16.6 billion budget bill funding the operation of Montana’s state agencies for the next two years has passed a key milestone in its journey through the state Legislature, clearing a preliminary floor vote in the state Senate with bipartisan support from Democrats and a group of Republican lawmakers who have repeatedly bucked the chamber’s GOP leadership this year.

Coalition rebuffs cuts, additions proposed by the leaders of the Senate’s nominal Republican majority.

04/17/2025

Bernie Sanders, an Independent, joined by New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, criticized the influence of billionaires in U.S. politics and cuts to federal agencies and programs made by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

Vermont senator, New York congresswoman and other speakers criticize the Trump administration, billionaires and money in politics.