Manzella v. Marbury: What to Know

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 branch the last word on Montana Supreme Court rulings...