Legislative Candidates File for Office
Filing deadline for political office in Montana was Monday, and hundreds of candidates have filed. Some have no contender in the primary on May 3, and some will have no contender in the general election on November 8, others will be challenged in both. In the Yellowstone County area, the following candidates have filed for […]
Zero Democrats File for County Offices
With the 2022 Election filing deadline having ended on Monday, it appears that the only contested primary election race in Yellowstone County is that for county commissioner. And none will be contested in the general election, since no Democrat candidates filed for any county office.
Billings Gets $3 Million for New Buses
The City of Billings Metropolitan Transit System has announced that it will be receiving $3 million in funding through the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Grant Program, through the US Department of Transportation (DOT).
Taxes, Schools, Jail, Morality Top Discussions by Local Civic Leaders
Last week a meeting of local governmental entities held a joint meet to compare notes and keep everyone informed about what each is doing. The county commissioners, some Billings city council members and some school board members, as well as staff people for each, attended the luncheon meeting at Lincoln Center, School District 2’s administration […]
Billings School District Ends Mask Mandate
Montana and Billings were among many school districts that lifted their mask mandates over the past week. After two years of having to wear masks in school – in the classroom and on the playground– the happy, jubilant faces of children were visible this week going to school and playing on playgrounds.
Coalition Forms to Oppose Property Tax Caps
While the proponents of the Montana Property Tax Initiative, CI-121 await word from the courts about the validity of their petition — a wait that is now weeks long – “a large, diverse, and unconventional coalition of Montanans has come together to oppose CI-121,” reports the Montana Chamber of Commerce.
Brookshire Named Manager of Heights Water District
The Billings Heights Water District has selected Peyton Brookshire as its new manager, following a search for candidates that brought over 40 applications of which four were interviewed by the board.
2022, Good Year for Montana and Yellowstone County
Economically, Montana had a “fantastic” year in 2021, and 2022 is being forecast to be much the same, but there are challenges. At the forefront of his forecast, Montana’s premier economist, Dr. Patrick Barkey, Director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana, is projecting a decline in the seven […]
Commissioners May Extend Response Time for MetraPark Management RFQ
Two of the companies that are likely to submit proposals to manage MetraPark have asked for more time to prepare their proposals – a request that the county commissioners put on the agenda for next week. indicating a willingness to extend it by two weeks. The deadline is currently Feb. 4.
Property Tax Cap Petition Can Continue Gathering Signatures
Signature gathering on a petition that would cap property taxes may continue. The Montana Supreme Court refused last week to take up a lower court decision that halted signature gathering on a petition for an initiative that would cap the rate of property tax increases, saying it couldn’t hear the case any sooner than could […]