In recent opinion pieces, Evan Barrett, a longtime Democratic consultant, and Mike Jopek, a former Democratic legislator, have repeatedly provided their “simple solution” to our high property taxes in Montana: just lower the residential property tax rate to 0.76 percent. If it truly was that simple, both Democrat and Republican legislators would have already done it. The reason it hasn’t

It’s back! A last-minute court of appeals ruling could put tens of thousands of business owners and farmers in legal crosshairs for failing to register their businesses with the federal government. Farmers who operate some corporations and limited liability companies are once again required to file Beneficial Ownership Information with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement

Attorney General Austin Knudsen won’t be facing a contempt order from court in a wrongful discharge lawsuit. A former Montana Highway Patrol chief who is suing Knudsen and the state argued that the attorney general should be found in contempt for allowing the Department of Justice to disseminate confidential personnel information — an allegation the DOJ denied. A district court judge

State economists are expecting tax coffers will fill a little more slowly in Montana the next couple of years. Stimulus money from the federal government has helped fill the state piggy bank, and income tax also rose steeply after the pandemic, according to recent budget reports. Ahead of the 2025 Montana Legislature, however, the forecasters at the Legislative Fiscal Division and the governor’s

Culbertson’s All-State athlete Bridger Salvevold has been selected as an alternate for the East-West Shrine Football Game. The game is scheduled for Saturday, June 21, at 7 p.m. in Great Falls. Among the players voted to the East team were Malta’s Stockton Oxarart at quarterback, Malta’s Blaine Downing at defensive end and Fairview’s Deacon Gackle at outside linebacker. Alternates

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is conducting a survey to better understand resident waterfowl hunters’ preferences for waterfowl hunting seasons in Montana. Hunters with a Harvest Information Program number were sent an email from fwpwld@ mt.gov with a survey inquiring about season and zone preferences. Participation is important, and it should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete

bank startup costs. The initial RFA for the Fort Peck Tribes IRR/TTP program was approved in the amount of $984,912.18, as was another five year term contract with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the amount of $263,953. The board approved Carri Sifford to be permanently appointed to the position of Assistant Public Defender for Courts at $21.36 per hour or $44,428.80 annually. The final

Last week, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) along with Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss), and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) announced that their bill to fully fund the “Rip and Replace” program has passed the U.S. Senate. The legislation was included in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which is expected to be signed into law. This bill will ensure providers