In early January, Gov. Greg Gianforte told lawmakers to get property tax relief bills to his desk by mid-February. Now with just a few days left before the Legislature’s halfway mark, several bills that cut at the issue in different ways are still alive. One of the highest profile bills is House Bill 231, carried by Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad. It’s a Republican flagship that would create a

A federal judge dismissed a Montana lawmaker’s suit against large tobacco companies, alleging that not only were the companies violating a decades-long settlement with the state, but that Montana’s top attorney, Austin Knudsen, was not doing his job because of a cozy relationship with the companies. Rep. Ron Marshall, R-Hamilton, said that large tobacco manufacturers, including R.J. Reynolds

The Montana Farm Bureau Foundation and Women’s Leadership Committee are once again offering more than $7,000 in scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Educating youth is part of the MFBF Mission Statement: Montana Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving and improving the agriculture and natural resource industries through member involvement in education,

I write to you from Helena, not as a career politician, but as a public servant and neighbor, to address the negative, untrue press surrounding the “nasty nine” nickname. Let me set the record straight. This is my first elected office and I serve because I care deeply about northeast Montana — my friends, family and neighbors. Above all, I am a husband and father and I let my family’s

The Bureau of Land Management Montana-Dakotas State Office has announced an oil and gas lease sale scheduled for April 29 to offer 11 oil and gas parcels totaling 4,266 acres in Montana and North Dakota. The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in October 2024 and held a public comment period that closed in December 2024 on the parcels and the related environmental analysis. A 30-day public

While Montana is one of only a few states to have a dedicated Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force, the inability of that organization to accept funding has hamstrung its efforts. That will soon change thanks to a new state law. Brought by Rep. Tyson Running Wolf, D-Browning, House Bill 83 establishes a state special revenue account, allowing the task force to receive donations, grants, gifts

In an outcome that surprised even the sponsor, senators voted unanimously Wednesday, Feb. 26, to support a bill that takes $56 million paid by tourists and returns it to property taxpayers. Sen. Carl Glimm, R-Kila, sponsored Senate Bill 90 and said he believes the unanimous support indicates the strong appetite this session for property tax relief, although he said he wasn’t expecting to

A bill establishing Indigenous Peoples Day in Montana passed out of the Senate on Wednesday – marking the most significant progress the legislation has made in years. Brought by Sen. Shane Morigeau, D-Missoula, Senate Bill 224 establishes Indigenous Peoples Day in Montana and notably does not eliminate Columbus Day. Instead, the bill allows Montanans to celebrate either or both holidays

County and state Farm Bureau leaders across the nation are sharing resources that will help farmers and ranchers keep safety top-ofmind through the Agricultural Safety Awareness Program. As part of this year’s ASAP commemoration, March 3-7 has been designated as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week. U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers will join Farm Bureau in promoting the week with its