Legislative Update Week 6
by Rep Katie Zolnikov and Sen Jason Small It’s no secret that Montana has been facing a housing crisis for some time now. That’s one of our top priorities at the legislature this session. We’ve already heard several bills that are designed to address the growing housing problem, and hopefully give us more tools to […]
Elections Set for May for Heights Water District, Others
by Evelyn Pyburn The deadline for candidates to file for elections to special district boards in Yellowstone County was February 6. The mail-ballot election date is May 2, which is when school boards also elect new members and mill levies if they seek one. Candidates filing for school board positions have until February 24 to […]
Naarah Hastings Selected as New Representative for District 50
by Evelyn Pyburn Small business owner, Naarah Hastings, was selected by Yellowstone County Commissioners on Tuesday to represent House District 50 in the Montana Legislature, replacing Mallerie Stromwold (R) who resigned the position a couple of weeks ago. The commissioners interviewed Hastings and two other candidates recommended to them by the Yellowstone County Republican Central […]
State Legislative Processes
With week two in the books the legislative session is well under way and heating up. We heard several bills under various topics from housing to human trafficking. Another bill would establish a state cemetery for veterans in Columbia Falls. While yet another bill focuses on a beloved pastime in Montana, huckleberry picking. The common […]
Commissioners to Name Replacement for Legislative Resignation on Tuesday
by Evelyn Pyburn Yellowstone County Commissioners will conduct interviews of candidates, on Monday morning at 10 am, to replace Rep. Mallerie Stromswold (R), Billings. Stromswold resigned her seat in the Montana State Legislature House District 50, just weeks after assuming office. She cited as reasons: “logistical challenges” and “significant backlash” for sometimes voting contrary to […]
No Opposition to House Bill
Easing Access to Public Defenders by Michael J. Marino Testimony was given Monday, Jan. 9 to the House Judiciary Committee regarding House Bill (HB) 111, which would make it easier for people to get a public defender when involved in legal matters in state courts. In some cases, the financial eligibility forms would be cut […]
County Officials Sworn into Office
by Evelyn Pyburn On Tuesday, District Court Judge Ashley Harada swore in newly elected and re-elected county officials during a ceremony in the County Commissioners’ office. Republican Mark Morse was sworn in as County Commissioner, the only newly elected county official. The rest of the county officials were re-elected to new terms – in most […]
Citizens Speak Out on Importance of Election Processes
by Evelyn Pyburn Citizens who spoke to County Commissioners, many of whom were election judges or poll watchers, itemized a number of things they were concerned about when it comes to accurate and secure elections. From the integrity of machines, to a need to purge voter rolls, to failings in the chain of custody — […]
GOP Hints at 38 Constitutional Amendment Proposals in 2023
by Michael J. Marino After being selected President of the Montana State Senate, Sen. Jason Ellsworth (R-Hamilton) gave a speech in which he said, “We›re going to have an opportunity next session, because we›re going to have a supermajority, to potentially pass constitutional initiatives, and give those votes to the people.” A “supermajority” is whenever […]
Volunteers’ Election Issues on Agenda For Commissioners
by Evelyn Pyburn Be careful what you wish for. Many election officials across the state may well identify with that age-old adage following years of frustrations in not having enough volunteers to help with elections, only to find themselves, this year, overwhelmed with citizens volunteering to be election judges and poll watchers.