Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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One week before Gov. Greg Gianforte was scheduled to give his State of the State address to the Montana Legislature, a panel of lawmakers tabled and then revived one of the flagship bills in his tax package, which would spend a quarter of the state’s nearly $2 billion surplus on property tax relief for homeowners. In the Legislature’s third week in Helena, two key property tax bills got hearings in the House Taxation Committee – House Bills 222 and 189. Rep. Tom Welch, R-Dillon, is sponsoring House Bill 222, which would deliver $500 milli...
Lawmakers who want to offer Montana residents substantial immediate property tax relief face an inescapable mathematical reality: Unless they want to force local governments to lay off cops and teachers, the money to lower residential property tax bills has to come from somewhere. That somewhere, for one of the first major tax relief proposals to get a hearing before a legislative committee this year, is the state’s current pair of bed taxes: a 4% lodging facility use tax and a 4% lodging sales tax. Together, those taxes collect about $120 m...
There’s no question in Bruce Spencer’s mind that, in America, it’s the courts who get the last word on what laws are constitutional. It’s been that way for 222 years. But no matter how the lobbyist for the State Bar of Montana baited his argument for Republican lawmakers this week, he just couldn’t set the hook. Republicans have roughly 30 bills in the works at this year’s legislative session that propose changes to the courts, including one revising laws concerning the separation of powers doctrine. The change aims to give the legislative...
Supporters of a bill that aims to allow more Montana students to access so-called “proficiency-based learning” say it is essential to keeping students interested in school. Sen. Shannon O’Brien, D-Missoula, is sponsoring Senate Bill 8 on behalf of the Education Interim Committee. The bill would add definitions of proficiency-based learning, which O’Brien said will help guide administrators and school employees using the program. The bill defines “proficiency-based learning” as an “education system in which student progress is based on a st...
The House Judiciary Committee listened to testimony Thursday, Jan. 19 on a bill that would add penalties to school teachers for showing obscene educational materials to students. Rep. Bob Phalen, R-Lindsay, is sponsoring House Bill 234, which would remove exemptions for public school, library, and museum employees in displaying obscene material to minors. In current law, it is illegal to sell or display obscene content to minors, except that in a public school, library, or museum, employees can show nudity in a scientific or health-related...
The Senate Fish and Game committee heard testimony on Tuesday, Jan. 17 on a divisive bill that would provide Fish, Wildlife and Parks with a plan for managing grizzly bears if they are delisted under the federal Endangered Species Act. Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta, sponsored Senate Bill 85 on behalf of FWP, which lays out the state’s commitments to the federal government, which he said is an attempt to have grizzly bears removed from the endangered species list. “It doesn’t change anything Montana is already doing, but will strengthen our asser...
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2025 09:44:13 Traffic Stop: W Legion St 10:03:56 Traffic Stop: Hwy 55 10:22:41 Agency Assist 11:42:32 Traffic Hazard: Forcella Rd 12:28:10 Medical: S Division St 16:33:03 Citizen Assist: W Legion St 22:29:42 Medical: Cherokee Pl MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025 08:54:35 Traffic Stop: W Legion St 09:11:41 Traffic Stop: I-90 10:46:43 VIN Inspection: Lost Moose Bend Rd 12:00:54 Traffic Stop: I-90 12:31:53 Larceny/Theft: Hwy 2 W 17:13:26 Traffic Stop 17:57:00 Test Page: S Washington St...
A committee hearing for House Bill 121, a bill that would require all restrooms, sleeping quarters, and changing areas to be designated by biological sex, brought emotional testimony both in support and opposition at the Montana Legislature. Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe, R-Billings, the sponsor of the bill, said it is necessary to protect women and children in areas where privacy is particularly important. “For decades, society has recognized the need for separate facilities like restrooms, changing rooms and sleeping quarters, to protect p...
Proponents lined the walls of the House Taxation Committee room Friday in support of establishing a $1.5 million Montana workforce housing tax credit program. House Bill 21 is a state-specific version of an existing federal program. The bill would give tax credits for affordable housing projects, which proponents said would help increase much-needed supply. Don Sterhan is the president of CR Builders in Billings and a member of Gov. Greg Gianforte’s Housing Task Force. He supports HB 21 and gave examples of where the federal credit program h...
Lawmakers are considering a bill that would make local agencies ask voters for a specific dollar amount of property tax increases on ballot levies rather than rely on mills — a property tax-based increase that can help account for inflation and changes in property values. Local levies are often used for public services like libraries or fire stations. The bill would still allow mills for public schools. Supporters of House Bill 20 told lawmakers in the House Taxation Committee Tuesday, Jan. 7 that the change would stabilize local property t...
Montana Lawmakers heard an hour of what one representative called “concerning and astounding” testimony Thursday, Jan. 9 on a bill aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse in the age of artificial intelligence. House Bill 82 would update Montana law to account for the use of AI in altering photos of minors and using computer-generated images in “sextortion” cases that seek to blackmail children. “This bill is about protecting our children in an environment where predators have evolved their tactics,” said Rep. Kathy Love, R-Hamilton,...
With the 2025 Montana Legislative session underway, lawmakers this session are not only creating new law, but also examining how the law is interpreted and enforced by the judicial branch. Twenty-seven bills aimed at judicial reform are on the table in both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees as well as the House State Administration Committee – bills that lawmakers say could alter the balance of power between the legislative and judicial branches. These bills, five of which are scheduled for a first hearing this week, come at a time w...
The 69th Montana Legislature opened Monday, Jan. 6 in Helena with both Republicans and Democrats highlighting affordability as one of the issues that will dominate the 90-day session. Republicans have a 32-18 majority in the Senate and a 58-42 majority in the House this session, but after redistricting, they no longer hold the supermajority they held in 2023. At the first Senate session Monday afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Tom McGillvray, R-Billings, said Montanans just need to look at their checkbooks to see what Republicans have done for...
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5 07:55:53 Traffic Hazard: I-90 13:53:27 Mental Crisis: W Third St 18:09:54 Welfare Check: I-90 20:07:20 Animal: Hwy 55 MONDAY, JANUARY 6 08:58:51 Hit & Run: S Jefferson St 09:18:27 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury) I-90 11:05:07 Fraud: N Whitehall St 11:24:17 Vicious Dog: N Division St 14:54:32 Transport (Prisoner or Other) 15:46:03 Hit & Run: Piedmont Rd 15:55:47 911 Hang Up: Hwy 2 E 19:22:47 Citizen Assist: Whitetail Rd TUESDAY, JANUARY 7 07:35:59 Traffic Stop: W First St...
Montana’s minimum wage was increased to $10.55* per hour, effective January 1, 2025. The minimum wage is subject to a cost-of-living adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index no later than September 30th of each year. Montana’s minimum wage is to be the greater of the federal or current state minimum wage. Exception: A business not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act whose gross annual sales are $110,000 or less may pay $4.00 per hour. However, if an individual employee is producing or moving goods between states or otherwise cov...
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 00:44:12 Traffic Stop: I-90 06:26:53 Agency Assist 08:12:21 Welfare Check: Cedar Hills Rd 09:21:00 Traffic Stop: E First St 11:09:11 Medical: W Legion St 4 11:19:24 Animal: I-90 16:33:16 Suicide Threats: N Main St 17:11:45 Medical: Hwy 2 E 19:13:58 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury): I-90 20:34:51 Medical: Bates Ln 20:43:44 Citizen Assist: N Whitehall St MONDAY, DECEMBER 30 02:37:36 Agency Assist: Cardwell Fishing Access 03:20:05 Citizen Assist: N Whitehall St 08:56:07 Animal:...
The Whitehall Study Commission will hold its first meeting on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 5 PM in the Whitehall Town Hall. But what does a Study Commission actually do? Well, it’s a bit complicated. The following information is straight from the Study Commission’s MCA Handbook, as provided by commission member Jim Buterbaugh. The Local Government Review process is complicated; its scope and intent are easily misunderstood. But it’s important to know that the review is not a platform for airing discontent or mobilizing change in the ways that...
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 07:02:47 Traffic Hazard: I-90 08:26:22 Animal: Hwy 41 08:45:56 Welfare Check: I-90 14:11:48 Traffic Stop: Legion/Whitehall St 15:32:16 Unauthorized Use of Vehicle 19:13:32 Traffic Stop: I-90 MONDAY, DECEMBER 16 02:08:36 Panic Alarm: W Third St 07:35:51 Traffic Stop: W Legion St 15:12:19 Fire Alarm: Hwy 55 16:38:59 Traffic Stop 18:09:51 Civil: E Legion St 18:11:45 Traffic Stop 18:30:31 Vehicle Accident (Injury): I-90 18:50:39 Traffic Hazard 19:13:45 Fire/Smoke Vehicle: I-90 19:47:17 Domestic (Non-Violent): N Whitehall St...
Before the December meeting of the Whitehall Town Council, held Monday, December 15th at the Whitehall Town Hall, readings of two new town ordinances, Ordinances 2024-5 and 2024-6, were introduced for public comment. Ordinance 2024-5 addresses regulating the use of campers and RVs within the town limits, establishes permit requirements and time limitations for temporary living and provides penalties for violations. Ordinance 2024-6 addresses regulating the occupancy of vehicles and temporary shelters within the city limits. Audience member...
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 10:23:02 Traffic Hazard: N Whitehall St 10:25:40 Civil: Ballard Ln 11:58:17 Civil: N Whitehall St 12:40:55 House Check: E First St 17:20:10 Traffic Stop: I-90 17:37:34 Motorist Assist: I-90 19:55:45 Traffic Stop: I-90 20:15:17 Traffic Stop: I-90 22:02:29 Citizen Assist: First St MONDAY, DECEMBER 9 09:53:23 Mental Crisis: Noble St 10:36:20 911 Open Line: Yellowstone Trl 14:52:07 Citizen Assist: Edwards Addition 15:49:11 Citizen Assist: Whitehall St 15:58:21 Citizen Assist...
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 09:02:09 Medical: E Legion St 09:39:20 Stolen Vehicle: Hot Springs Rd 09:43:11 Traffic Offense: I-90 13:53:17 911 Misdial: I-90 14:56:01 Traffic Stop: Legion/Brooke 15:05:06 Premises Check: N Main St 15:17:21 Premises Checks: N Whitehall St 15:40:13 Traffic Offense: I-90 21:40:50 Traffic Stop: W Commercial Way MONDAY, DECEMBER 2 09:12:51 Traffic Stop: Hwy 55 15:25:57 Threats: Yellowstone Trl 15:40:18 Medical: Wrangler Rd 16:32:48 Traffic Offense: Hwy 2 W 17:54:39 Traffic Stop...
This story is adapted from the MT Lowdown, a weekly newsletter digest containing original reporting and analysis published every Friday. A reader pointed out earlier this week that national reports from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on kindergarten vaccination rates have shown what they considered a conspicuous omission over the past three years — a complete absence of data for the state of Montana. Finding their curiosity infectious, we dug in. We confirmed that, shortly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, M...
Montana lawmakers avoided another fight over transgender politics while crafting rules for the upcoming 2025 Legislature, saying they didn’t want the distraction. Members of the Joint Rules Committee narrowly rejected a proposal to limit bathroom access for transgender lawmakers. Several said banning transgender women lawmakers from women’s restrooms in the Capitol would only distract from the Legislature’s business. Rep. Jerry Schillinger, of Circle, proposed the ban. “It says what probably shouldn’t need to be said and puts in rules whe...
Upcoming PUBLIC HEARINGS & ORDINANCES REVISIONS to address town concerns at Dec/Jan Council Meeting: • Ordinance 2024-5 RV/Camper living • Ordinance 2024-6 Vehicle living ARE YOU AWARE? Whitehall Town Public Works tests water 2x per month to ensure proper drinking standards are met. In late October, the water needed chlorination due to bacteria presence in relation to system being opened for parts replacement. Such bacteria (not E.coli) wasn’t abnormal due to new construction....
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 00:14:43 Traffic Stop: I-90 03:08:12 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury): I-90 07:22:06 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury): I-90 07:41:09 Vehicle Accident (Injury): I-90 08:56:51 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury): I-90 09:17:52 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury) 09:31:08 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury): I-90 10:03:17 Agency Assist 10:44:36 Vehicle Accident (Non-Injury): Hwy 2 W 11:36:23 911 Hang Up: Hwy 287 11:40:44 Extra Patrol 16:51:05 Follow Up: Wapiti Rd 17:05:09 Traffic Hazard 17:16:52...
