A contentious legislative session ends. Will it mark a turning point in Montana politics?
Capitol Talk
by Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
1y ago
Republican lawmakers say they delivered for Montanans. Democrats say they kept a lot of bad things off the books. The Regier family reigned over much of the action. And this session marked a political turning point — but in what direction ..read more
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The Legislature makes the national news again and the mood at the Capitol turns sour
Capitol Talk
by Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
1y ago
Republicans ban a trans lawmaker from the House floor, putting Montana in the national news spotlight. Meanwhile, much work remains on the budget as the end of the session approaches ..read more
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Citing decorum, Republicans shut down transgender lawmaker; 'Jungle primary' bill fails
Capitol Talk
by Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
1y ago
Republicans try to silence transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr. Anti-trans bills are on their way to becoming law. Lawmakers table a bill to create a one-time "jungle primary" in next year's Senate race. The defeat of that bill may have political fallout for Senator Steve Daines ..read more
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Anti-abortion bills sail through the Legislature; Consequences vs. discrimination
Capitol Talk
by Sally Mauk, Holly Michels
1y ago
Abortion in Montana could be severely limited if a slew of bills headed to the governor's desk become law. Montana's attorney general intervenes in a lawsuit to ban an abortion pill. Another bill seeks to answer the question of whether religious freedom protects bigoted speech. And lawmakers hope more money will help fix problems at the Warm Springs state hospital ..read more
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Republicans try to tilt the scales in the Senate race, constitutional amendments stall
Capitol Talk
by Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
1y ago
Rosendale attends Trump's post-arraignment event. Republican leaders want to change election rules — but only in one race. Many Cascade County residents are not happy with how their top election officer is doing her job. And several proposed amendments to the state Constitution may not make it to the ballot after all ..read more
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Capitol Talk: Satanism enters the chat and it's déjà vu on gun laws
Capitol Talk
by Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
1y ago
Congressional opponents of a ban on assault weapons, including Montana Sen. Jon Tester, aren't swayed by another school shooting. Neither are many state legislators, who want to expand, not limit, gun rights in Montana. A reference to Satanism prompts a walkout in a Senate committee hearing. And wilderness schools for troubled teens are once again in the legislative spotlight ..read more
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Republicans own the budget — for better or worse; Arntzen gets an earful; Anti-trans bills advance
Capitol Talk
by Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
1y ago
There aren't many Democratic fingerprints on the budget passed by the House. Montana's Legislature is just one of several targeting transgender issues. And state Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen gets an earful on a statewide tour. Is she aiming for higher office ..read more
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Lawmakers talk constitutional changes, abortion lawsuits and 'sex'
Capitol Talk
by Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
1y ago
Montana's A.G. threatens to sue Walgreens over the abortion pill. The 2024 ballot could include a slew of proposed constitutional changes. Gov. Gianforte celebrates a major legislative win. And some Republican lawmakers propose a definition of sex ..read more
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Chuck Johnson's impact; Rosendale & white supremacists; Who will challenge Tester?
Capitol Talk
by Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
1y ago
The Capitol Talk team remembers a dear colleague. Rep. Rosendale keeps hanging out with some bad guys. The Legislature buckles down on budget work. And Sen. Steve Daines may back an unknown Bozeman businessman to challenge Jon Tester for his Senate seat ..read more
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Budget bills await governor's signature; Lawmakers look to weaken the judiciary
Capitol Talk
by Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
1y ago
The Governor celebrates a major win midway through the legislative session. Democrats hope to fend off attempts to weaken the judiciary. And speculation grows over who will challenge Jon Tester for his Senate seat ..read more
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