When you get a bunch of newspaper reporters and editors together to talk about the future, the discussion can get cynical pretty fast. Read Article Being optimistic is worth the effort
Eight legislative sessions ago, when I first walked into the Capitol building, I was so excited and anxious to get started. That’s because as a young girl, I watched as my father became a citizen of the United States. Never in my life have I ever met anyone who was prouder to have gained cit… Read Article A reflection, and a bittersweet farewell
The construction project is moving forward nicely. A lot of fill dirt was brought in to create the foundation for the footings on the building expansion. That dirt is compacted in layers to create a firm base, so the students and staff did feel some rumbling as the roller did its job. The ar… Read Article Construction has begun at JHS; and congrats, graduates
A month ago the eighth grade reACT Coalition went on a two-day journey in Helena called Celebration on the Hill. The first day they learned how to speak up properly about proposed legislation. They talked with many different groups and organizations in Montana as they were taught how to give… Read Article A Day at the Capitol with the reACT Coalition
From start to the unexpected finish, the 68th Legislative session is one for the books to say the least. The sheer number of bills, the supermajority, the historic budget surplus, and the number of laws passed make it challenging to encapsulate into one article. Nonetheless, I will touch ba… Read Article One for the books: Taking stock of the 68th legislature
The 68th Session of the State Legislature has ended, but the harm done by a Republican supermajority drunk on power will continue to be felt for a long time. Read Article Montana Democrats deliver, while Republicans waste the session
The arrival of warmer weather in Jefferson County increases our chances of risky encounters with wildlife. One such risk, to both humans and domestic animals, is rabies. Animals commonly associated with rabies in Montana, such as skunks and bats, emerge during early and mid-spring - the same… Read Article Reducing the risk of rabies in Jefferson County
The 68th legislative session will end in one week. Montanans have much to look forward to as a result of our bipartisan work this session. However, much of our good work is overshadowed by the headlines of last week. As a native Montanan, receiving calls from Montanans near and far, I thin… Read Article A somber mood in the Montana House
Two autumns ago, we wrote a report and op-ed documenting the state of representation and democracy in Montana. To no Montanan’s surprise, we found our beloved Treasure State to be in poor political health, suffering in recent years from ever higher rates of uncontested elections, partisan vi… Read Article Electoral Reform would benefit Montana, but SB 566 'ain’t it'
The supermajority/Freedom Caucus is creating a state religion in Montana—Christianity—despite that our Constitution prohibits doing that. Article II, section 5 states: “Freedom of Religion. The state shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise t… Read Article Montana's official state religion
I have been a Montana State Legislator since 2009 and a public-school teacher since 2004. In past sessions, legislators of both parties have come together to keep public dollars in our public schools. We have defeated bills bringing private corporate charter schools to Montana. We’ve said ‘n… Read Article Stop the war on public schools
It has been a very busy second half of the legislative session in the Montana House of Representatives beginning with a significant day at the State Capitol. As a result of the hard work of our legislature, Governor Gianforte signed a group of bills into law that give hard-working Montanans … Read Article Working toward a conservative state budget
The March 23, the Helena Independent Record reported that the state Legislature had decided to keep on the books, as part of Montana’s Code, the “Clean Campaign Act,” which federal District Court Judge Donald W. Molloy ruled last year was unconstitutional, as violating the First Amendment. Read Article SJ 15: Dead on arrival
There’s something about shock and awe that sticks with you. Read Article A persistent casualty of war: truth
Regarding the Boulder City Council’s proposal to limit residents to a maximum of six chickens (Boulder Monitor, Mar. 1): My husband Dean and I have been raising chickens off and on for many years, including when our youngest was in grade school. He cared for ducks, geese, rabbits and quail. … Read Article Local chicken owner wants more info from City
Friday, March 3 marked the halfway point of the 68th Legislative session. We heard hundreds of bills in committee and on the House floor. The last week was filled with long hours and high emotion as legislators fought for their legislative priorities. Here are a few takeaways from our sessi… Read Article Good news for Montana taxpayers
The Republican majority has just flexed its muscle to pass Senate Bill 93, thereby limiting the ability of Montana’s citizens to pass laws through the ballot issue process. SB 93 is unbelievably restrictive in scope, including imposition of a $3,700 filing fee for ballot issues and affording… Read Article Passing of SB 93 concerns Montana attorney
In Montana, we care about protecting our children and ending bullying in schools. Instead of seeking to prevent hate speech and bullying in our public schools, Montana House Bill 361 would protect the bullies. The text of this bill would make it impossible to discipline students who use a tr… Read Article Don't protect the bullies
Last week’s trial and subsequent conviction of John Russell Howald on federal hate crimes and firearms charges is a reminder of how bigoted ideas and hateful talk can eventually escalate into tragedy and violence. Three years ago, on a Sunday morning in March, Howald, armed with four guns, i… Read Article Will the Basin shooting be our wake-up call?
The construction project continues to move forward with a tentative groundbreaking date in April. Dick Anderson Construction put the project out to bid, and those bids are due to them on Feb. 22, 2023. The bids will be opened for Dick Anderson to evaluate. After this evaluation, they will br… Read Article Jefferson High construction slated for April
Hello from the state capital. The 68th legislative session is moving fast. It’s hard to believe that we’re just a few weeks from transmittal, but I’ve been working hard for Montana’s schools, my constituents and all Montanans. Read Article McClafferty addresses school safety, child needs
As the Legislature moves into the two weeks prior to the transmittal deadline, around 200 bills have been added to our schedules. It will be quite busy. Read Article Bertoglio in support of marijuana tax reallocation
Thank you for reaching out to me regarding my thoughts on Montana House Bill No. 328. House Bill 328, as it reads, states: “An act providing for increased transparency and accountability in government by requiring certain government entities to record their public meetings in audio and video… Read Article Here’s to greater government transparency
It is hard to believe is has been one month since I was sworn in as the House District 75 Representative. I continue to feel honored to serve my constituents. Read Article Report from Helena: a record-setting session
There is more to the abortion bans being promoted by Republicans in Montana’s Legislature than simply a difference on moral or cultural grounds. Republicans have pieced together an entire suite of policies aimed at one goal. That goal is to control and disempower workers by a broad assault o… Read Article Low wages, underfunded public services and abortion bans
In Girdwood, Alaska, we’ll long remember the snowstorm of Dec. 6, just three months ago. But it won’t be for the school cancellations. We’ll remember it as the night dozens of residents traveled a snow-packed highway to testify at a public meeting — about housing. Read Article The housing crisis is harming my town
Whether you are for or against the Convention of States, please take a moment to read this and consider heavily what I have to say. I was at the Helena Capital building to absorb the words of others and testify against the COS. As I listened to those in support, I could feel the strength of … Read Article COS: Ignorance is bliss
Nearly every citizen in the state has a personal experience, rumor or disconcerting fact about the integrity of our elections. Most have seen dozens of recent headlines challenging the integrity of registered electors, ballots, and elections: Read Article ‘Freedom, Knowledge & Justice’ Election Integrity: Division, dialogue and progress
Wow, winter came early this year! Thanks to the many areas of ice outside (causing me trepidation) as well as projects and learning my new job, I have been indoors much more this winter. Usually I don’t let winter slow me down much and I still enjoy the outdoors and going for walks, but this… Read Article Be mindful of seasonal depressive disorder
Those who value Montana’s Constitution are concerned—terrified, actually—of what the Legislature’s supermajority (and its new Freedom Caucus) are going to try to do to it this session. Read Article On the chopping block: constitutional rights?
‘Freedom, Knowledge & Justice’
Our soul is the essence of who we are. Our spirit, our individual life force, is developed through the relationships, knowledge and experiences of our life journey. We learn and we teach the children through the season of the year that extends from the gratitude of Thanksgiving to the hope, … Read Article Thanksgiving and Christmas prepared us for the New Year
Jefferson High School is almost done with the first half of the school year and things are moving forward at a fast pace. I’ve truly enjoyed my time at JHS so far. Every district is very distinct, but all are filled with incredible students, a caring faculty and staff, and great school board… Read Article JHS 'moving forward' into New Year
In the early 1970s, frustrated with the corporate boot that dominated and bullied Montanans, the state's people rose up. Led by ordinary citizens like Pastor George Harper of Helena, local historian and mother of six Louise Cross of Glendive, and League of Women Voters leader Dorothy Eck of … Read Article Attack on Montana Consumer Counsel is Revenge by Utility Lobby
Lawyers and judges understand and, hopefully, respect the rule of law. This is a very simple principle which informed the writing and adoption of the federal constitution. This principle was carried through into states’ constitutions. The rule of law is fundamental to our democracy. It is … Read Article The rule of law or the rule of lie?
For the past several years, my wife, Kari, and I have come to Jefferson County to soak at Boulder Hot Springs Inn, Spa and Retreat Center. We’ve celebrated birthdays and anniversaries here. The water and the intimate nature of the place – which emphasizes healing and recovery – attracted us … Read Article Former tourists grateful to be locals
It’s been a good fall here at Jefferson High School, and I’m happy to report there are many positive developments ahead, especially with our highly anticipated expansion project. Read Article JHS superintendent excited for new developments, proud of fall success
Fat, lazy snowflakes drift down outside my window, making my thoughts turn to a winter long past when I was a child living in Clancy. Having moved from California, where my dad had been discharged from the Air Force, our move to Montana was a true revelation. I was eight years old and had ne… Read Article As winter arrives, a call to action
On election night I had the privilege of spending six hours in the elections office for Jefferson County, watching the work and reporting numbers to a national news outlet. It was truly a privilege for several reasons. Read Article Covering the election a privilege, and a pleasure
Elouise Cobell Day was celebrated on Nov. 5 in Montana, but many people in the West may not recognize her name. Read Article Hats off to a determined woman
It is always darkest--right before it gets pitch-black. Read Article ISL: The New Pitch-Black
In his recent guest view, Attorney General Austin Knudsen whines that the Montana Supreme Court deprived Montanans of a right to decide election methods. Specifically, electing supreme court justices by district, instead of in state-wide, non-partisan elections. Read Article Attorney General: all hat, no cows
I’m going to combine two stories, one fictional and one real. In the 1999 fictional film, The Green Mile, the “green mile” referred to the stretch of green linoleum that death row inmates walked to Louisiana’s electric chair. When I was a kid, my father used to refer to cash as “long green.”… Read Article The Long Green Mile
Freedom, Knowledge & Justice
We live what we have learned — and learning is not always easy. Read Article This Election Day, live, learn — and vote
School is well underway, and we have fall athletics and activities going full tilt. We just held this year’s Homecoming, and everything went well. We had great student involvement and great decorations and floats for the parade. It’s time for things to settle down a bit and make the push tow… Read Article JHS Superintendent: meet our new faculty members
At a recent gathering in eastern Montana I ran into friend and lead guitar player Mark Iwaniak, who lives in Butte. I’d been looking forward to seeing Mark – with whom I’ve played shows through the years – to tell him I’d taken a job as editor of the Boulder Monitor and was now in the area. Read Article ‘Learning to fly’ — and feeling right at home
It was suggested that I could strengthen the logic of my last article, “To Record or Not to Record; Is that the Question?” which remains available at https://montanadecides.substack.com if you have not read it, by building on the principle that greater transparency helps to ensure accountabi… Read Article When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging
Thomas Jefferson wrote in a letter on January 8, 1789, “that wherever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” Jefferson’s intent was that if citizens were well informed, they could have the information needed to adequately participate in their government… Read Article County should record meetings, and we should watch
Since the June 24 ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court in the Mississippi abortion case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Republican politicians throughout the country have moved to impose whatever abortion restrictions their legislatures can come up with. The Republican-dominated 2… Read Article The immorality of Greg Gianforte and the “New GOP”
Forget Covid. It appears that a malevolent psychological condition has now reached epidemic proportions in two Montana counties. Read Article In Montana, denial of reality run amok
The purpose of this article is to provide some information for all of us to better understand Adult-Use Marijuana to improve our community and for those who chose to use marijuana to do so responsibly. First, are marijuana and cannabis the same thing? Actually, cannabis is the word used when… Read Article Tread lightly with adult-use marijuana