Author: Press Room

Billings Building Permits September 15, 2024

14 September 2024
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Commercial

Big Horn Surgery Center/ Jorden Construction, 3415 Avenue E, Com New Hospitals/Institutions, $975,630

2316 First Ave North LLC|Askin Construction LLC, 2320 1st Ave N, Demolition Permit Commercial, $150,600

City Of Billings (Airport)|Cayton Excavation Inc, 2491 Overlook Dr, Demolition Permit Commercial, $148,000

City Of Billings The|S Bar S Supply Contractor, 1704 Central Ave, Com New Warehouse/Storage, $35,000

AC Investments LLC|Air Controls Billings Inc., 2109 1st Ave N, Demolition Permit Commercial $35,000

Residential

Lori Hansen |Eaton And Yost Contractors, 3012 Alpine Dr, Res New Single Family, $587,400

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1707 E Seahawks Pl, Res New Townhome, $434,128

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1722 E Seahawks Pl, Res New Townhome, $434,128

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1721 E Seahawks Pl, Res New Townhome, $434,128

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1731 E Seahawks Pl, Res New Townhome, $434,128

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1701 E Seahawks Pl, Res New Two Family, $350,000

Green Jeans LLC |Green Jeans LLC, 1319 Tania Circle, Res New Single Family, $251,967

High Sierra Ii Inc|4 Mt Homes Inc, 935 Matador Ave, Res New Single Family, $212,055

Mt Homes Inc |4 Mt Homes Inc, 923 Matador Ave, Res New Single Family, $206,856

McCall|McCall Development, 1880 St Peter Ln, Res New Single Family, $142,541

McCall Homes |McCall Development 1840 St Peter Ln, Res New Single Family, $128,067

McCall|McCall Development, 1848 St Peter Ln, Res New Single Family, $127,492

McCall|McCall Development, 1892 St Peter Ln, Res New Single Family, $124,826

McCall|McCall Development, 1884 St Peter Ln, Res New Single Family, $124,326

McCall Development, 1852 St Peter Ln, Res New Single Family, $107,834

Americans Think Increased Manufacturing Employment Would Be Good for the Country but Not for Themselves

14 September 2024
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By Colin Grabow, Cato Today

One of the more intriguing results of a recent Cato Institute–commissioned poll about trade and globalization was the respondents’ views on manufacturing. When asked whether the country would be better off if more Americans worked in the sector, 80 percent responded in the affirmative. Given widespread perceptions of American industrial decline—very much at odds with available evidence—that’s not entirely surprising.

But here’s the interesting part: among those same respondents, just 25 percent stated that they would personally be better off in a factory instead of their current work. It’s a result that holds across class, education, and racial lines. The most enthusiastic group, those aged 18–29, still registered just 36 percent interest in manufacturing employment.

Americans love the idea of people working in manufacturing, but most don’t think they would benefit from such work themselves.

The poll result comports with manufacturing job data. As of May, there were over 600,000 open positions in manufacturing, and the number hasn’t dipped below 300,000 in roughly a decade. These openings are one reason why the National Association of Manufacturers has championed a plan to expand immigration. Similarly, the secretary of the navy has called for increased immigration and work visas to address a lack of workers at the country’s shipyards.

Such jobs can’t find enough interested Americans to fill them.

Given some of the realities of manufacturing work, that’s understandable. As a recent Financial Times column points out, average hourly pay in manufacturing has been on a long, steady decline and fell below the private-sector average in 2018. The column also points out that such work can be “noisy, repetitive and isolating” (having once worked a summer job placing empty cans on an assembly line to be filled with paint, I can confirm) and that a 2024 Gallup poll found below-average enthusiasm for their work among those employed in manufacturing.

So it’s not a shock that many Americans aren’t champing at the bit for such employment. Indeed, even countries long associated with manufacturing such as China and Vietnam are seeing a growing aversion to factory work.

But how to explain this seeming disconnect between what Americans believe is best for the country and their self-interest?

One possible factor is that Americans are regularly told about the alleged depleted state of American manufacturing—particularly during presidential elections. Four years ago, President Biden campaigned on adding five million manufacturing jobs as part of an economic rebuilding effort, and four years before that, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton each pledged to shore up manufacturing as part of their respective efforts to win the presidency. Unsurprisingly, the Democratic and Republican platforms for this year’s presidential race both feature language about revitalizing manufacturing.

This is hardly a recent phenomenon, with such talk by presidential hopefuls dating at least back to Walter Mondale’s 1984 claim that the industrial Midwest was being turned into a “rust bowl” due to a decline in manufacturing.

After being exposed to 40 years of rhetoric about manufacturing’s alleged downfall, Americans may have internalized the message. Add in a dash of nostalgia for yesteryear—two of the groups most supportive of more Americans working in manufacturing were those aged 65 and older (86 percent) and the retired (90 percent)—when manufacturing employment was more common, and the results are understandable.

Perhaps the better question, however, is not why Americans believe the country needs more manufacturing employment but why politicians regularly emphasize the importance of jobs in which Americans—both in word and deed—continue to show little interest.

Americans Love to Work, More than Most

14 September 2024
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Americans are hard workers, putting in an average of 1,799 hours per year, according to the World Economic Forum. That’s 456 hours per year more than Germans work, but 408 fewer than Mexicans do, for example.

Even when given the chance to not work as hard, many Americans won’t, as only 48% of workers use all of their vacation days. It is possible to work hard without overdoing it, though. Hard work is key to success, and the residents of some states understand that better than others.

To determine where Americans work the hardest, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 10 key indicators. They range from average workweek hours to the share of workers with multiple jobs to the average leisure time spent per day.

Montana was ranked 25th.

North Dakota is the hardest-working state, in part because it has the highest employment rate in the country, at over 98%. Plus, workers ages 16 to 64 work an average of 39.7 hours per week – the third-most in the country.

People in the Roughrider State don’t take a lot of time for themselves outside of work, either, as they have the second-lowest amount of leisure time per day. In addition, 33.5% of workers leave some vacation time unused, the second-highest percentage.

To top things off, both adults and young people stay busy in North Dakota. The state has the fifth-lowest share of households where no adults work, and the lowest share of people ages 18 to 24 with no degree beyond a high school diploma who are not in school and not working.

Alaska has the second-hardest-working residents in the country. The average Alaskan worker between the ages of 16 and 64 works 41.6 hours per week, the highest number of hours in the country. This is significant because Alaska is the only state where the average exceeds 40 hours per week. For comparison, people in the District of Columbia work an average of 40.4 hours per week, but Alaska exceeds that by 1.2 hours.

In addition, Alaska has the 12th-highest share of workers who leave some vacation time unused, at 27.5%. It also has the ninth-highest share of workers who have more than one job and the 10th-lowest share of households where no adults work.

Nebraska was 3rd, Wyoming was ranked 4th and South Dakota, 5th.

Billings Building Permits September 1 2024

13 September 2024
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Med-Map LLC |Bauer Construction, 2900 12th Ave N, Com Remodel, $205,571

Jamie Nicasro |Stock Land Properties Inc, 4010 Montana Sapphire Dr, Com Remodel, $150,000

Evergreen Midtown Condo’s|Sprague Construction Roofing Division, 1311 Grand Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $113,302

Turley Faye R & John E Surviv|Bradford Roof Management Inc, 1141 28th St W, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $92,430

American Tower Company |Northwest Tower LLC, 1442 Grand Ave, Demolition Permit Commercial, $50,000

Messinger Company LLC|Professional Fire Protection Inc, 1830 Harnish Blvd, Com Fire Systems, $45,980

Shift Holdings LLC|Wolf Development LLC, 120 N 20th, Com Remodel, $20,000

Schaff Allen K Trustee|Lennick Bros. Roofing & Sheetmetal, 2115 2nd Ave N, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $15,000

Todd Vralsted |Ban Construction Corp, 2953 Glynn Abbey Way, Res New Single Family, $1,800,000

Erickson Janell L|Newman’s Home Construction, 4905 Silver Creek Trl, Res New Single Family, $700,000

Mike Christensen |Michael Christensen Homes, 4722 Ravenwood Dr, Res New Two Family, $396,632

TKJ Development LLC|Michael Christensen Homes, 4716 Ravenwood Dr, Res New Two Family, $396,632

Bonini Enterprises LLC|Bonini Enterprises LLC, 1329 Lynn Ave, Res New Two Family, $346,314

Bonini Enterprises LLC|Bonini Enterprises LLC, 1325 Lynn Ave, Res New Two Family, $346,314

Bonini Enterprises LLC|Bonini Enterprises LLC, 1333 Lynn Ave, Res New Two Family, $346,31

Nominations  have opened for the 2025 National Small Business Week Awards.

13 September 2024
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For more than 60 years the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)  has been uplifting small businesses in America, and the annual NSBW awards recognize the exemplary achievements, triumphs, contributions, and resilience of SBA-assisted individuals and businesses that help to drive the American economy.

“From corner shops to innovation hubs, American entrepreneurs create jobs, invent and provide crucial products and services to their communities, and help define the neighborhoods they serve,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “The SBA is proud to celebrate National Small Business Week each year to lift up the best of that American entrepreneurial spirit and recognize the many essential contributions all of our small businesses make to our nation.”

There are more than 34 million small businesses in the US.

To nominate a small business owner in your area and download related forms, criteria, and guidelines, visit sba.gov/nsbw. All nominations must be submitted electronically by 4 p.m. ET on Dec. 5, 2024. National awards will be presented during the NSBW awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on May 4- 5, 2025.

The SBA’s signature award during NSBW is the Small Business Person of the Year. A business owner from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam is selected for individual State SBPOTY winner awards and the state award winners will compete for the 2025 National Small Business Person of the Year title.

Nominations will be accepted for the following award categories:

* Small Business Exporter of the Year

* Small Business Investment Company of the Year

o SBIC Emerging Manager

o SBIC Established Manager

* Phoenix Awards for Disaster Recovery:

o Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery

o Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery – Mitigation

o Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Public Official

o Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Volunteer

* Federal Procurement Awards:

o Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year 

o Small Business Subcontractor of the Year

o Dwight D. Eisenhower Awards for Excellence (for large prime contractors who use small businesses as suppliers and contractors)

o 8(a) Graduate of the Year

* Awards to SBA Resource Partners:

o Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Center Award

o S.C.O.R.E. Chapter of the Year

o Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award 

o Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Year

* Surety Bond Agent of the Year

For local area information, visit online at https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week/district-office-awards.

State Study Will Set Funding Levels for Housing for People in Behavior System

23 August 2024
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The state of Montana will be conducting a statewide study to determine what level of funding is needed to subsidize housing costs for low-income Montanans who are served in the state’s behavioral health system.

Governor Greg Gianforte announced that $1 million of public funds will be made available to conduct the study which will direct the allocation of $300 million to eligible Montanans as recommended by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission. The Governor said that he secured the funding last year “to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services systems.”

“Access to affordable, stable housing is critical to ensure Montana youth, adults, and families can meet their behavioral health needs,” Gov. Gianforte said. “As the nation continues to grapple with a shortage of affordable housing, we need to ensure at-risk Montanans have access to the support they need. This study will allow the state to make the most effective and efficient use of our resources to take care of vulnerable Montanans.”

The one-time funding will be transferred to the Montana Department of Commerce which will work in partnership with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to conduct the Fair Market Rent Reevaluation Study.

“The BHSFG Commission recognizes that stable housing is fundamental and critical to ensuring that the behavioral health and developmental disabilities needs of Montanans are met,” DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton said. “The study will help maximize housing funding to support as many low-income Montanans as possible.”

Brereton said the Commission brought this NTI forward because low-income individuals served by the state’s BH and DD systems are increasingly unable to access affordable housing.

Through the study, information will be gathered on current rental rates throughout the state to help determine the funding necessary to supplement federal rental assistance.

Access to housing is shown to significantly improve BH and DD outcomes for vulnerable individuals, reduce strain on the health care system, and yield significant cost savings to emergency services.

In addition, studies show children whose families receive vouchers for rental housing change schools less frequently, are less likely to be placed in foster care, and experience fewer sleep disruptions and behavior problems.

On May 22, 2023, Gov. Gianforte made a generational investment to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services systems by signing House Bill 872 into law. A central component of the governor’s Budget for Montana Families, the $300 million investment will expand intensive and community-based behavioral health care and developmental disabilities services across Montana.

New County Emergency Coordinator

23 August 2024
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Derek Yeager has been named as Yellowstone County’s new Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) Director, following the resignation of “KC” Williams, who served as director for the past five and a half years.

Williams has taken a position with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The position of DES Coordinator includes the duties of fire warden in Yellowstone County.

Yeager, a native of Yellowstone County from Laurel, served for eleven years with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) after serving as a wild land firefighter. Most recently he was head of the communications center which serves both the City of Billings and Yellowstone County.

New Businesses July 2024

23 August 2024
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Tiny Bubbles Cleaning, 737 S Billings Blvd #10, 876-5131, Laforge, Lavora Ruth, Service, Billings 

All Pro Towing Jim Auto Repair, 510 N 24th St, 698-6247, Adkins/Norton, James/Frank, Service, Billings

Mt Power Ranger Llc, 2725 Howard Ave, 794-5200, Schlegel, Joseph, Service, Billings

Enw Carpet And Cleaning Services, Llc, 2024 Clubhouse Way #2, 384-9937, Coversup, Evelyn, Service,

D & L Roofing’s, 3051 St Johns Ave, 698-3023, Luoma, Laura, Service, Billings  

Mockel Precast & Excavating Co.,16 Industry Loop, 594-1769, Leland, Rob, General Contractors, East Helena

BSDW Cop-Billings Llc (St Andrews), 1634 Saint Andrews Dr, 672-7222, Hansen, Holly, Service, Billings

Copia Reserve Llc (6th Ave N),   2004 6th Ave N, 672-7222, Hansen, Holly, Service, Billings

Copia Reserve Llc (Grand), 1903 Grand Ave, 672-7222, Hansen, Holly, Service, Billings

Yellowstone Casino (S 32nd), 927 S 32nd St W Ste A-C, 850-3160, Grizzly Doc And Eddy’s Beverages Llc, Liquor License, Billings

Yellowstone Casino (King), 2300 King Ave W, 652-4980, Grizzly Doc And Eddy’s Beverages Llc, Liquor License, Billings

Vigilant Landscaping Inc, 4156 Frances Ave, 855-5289, Rookhuizen, Joe & Amanda, Service, Billings

Uproot Electrology & Aesthetic Llc, 1620 Alderson Ave Ste 27, 861-1422, Oppenborn, Raquel, Service, Billings

Amen Notary Services Llc, 1876 St Paul Ln, 698-2333, Amen, Mary Ann, Service, Billings

As One Solutions Llc, 6804 Commercial Ave Bld B, 647-9618, Smith, Adam & Stephanie, Manufacturing, Billings

Carlos C Sanchez, 516 N 22nd St, 561-0191, Sanchez, Carlos, Restaurants, Billings

Abi Scherer Consulting Llc, 243 Westchester Sq N Unit A1, (330) 676-3052, Scherer, Abigail, Service, Billings

T.P.C. Construction, 1123 Denway Pl, 661-5748, Prescott-Erwin, Tristen, Roofing Contractors, Billings

Coinstar (5317 Grand Ave), 5317 Grand Ave, (425) 943-8000, Shomler, Kelly, Service, Billings

Sky Country Therapy and Consulting, 1629 Avenue D Ste A5, 655-1795, Verhasselt, Jennifer, Service, Billings

Lark/Spur Interior Design Studio Llc, 1123 Iristan Ln, 465-0968, Chamberlin, Erin, Service, Billings

Harmonisounds Llc, 1613 Hollyhock St, (916) 667-2000, Brinlee, Todd, Service, Billings

Kennedy Family Counseling Pllc, 2525 6th Ave N, 384-3366, Kennedy, Sean, Service, Billings

DT Construction, 221 S 35th St, 366-3886, Thompson, Drew, General Contractors, Billings

JH Painting, 918 Avenue C, 855-9832, Handsaker, Larry, Service, Billings

BCCM Construction Group Inc, 100 E 7th St Ste 201, (816) 659-9115, Young, Jason, General Contractors, Kansas City MO,

Platinum Vape Llc, 1425 Broadwater Ave, 698-2776, Myrstol, Josh, Retail Sales, Billings

Preya Natural Soap Llc, 4865 Blue Spruce Circle, 839-5985, Gray, Mylyn, Retail Sales, Billings

Burritos Don Chuy, 1414 Main St, 539-4579, Martinez/Martinez Romo, Michell/Jose De Jesus, Restaurants, Billings

Clear Sky Home & Lawn Care, 12 North Street, 697-4598, Butts, Craig, Service, Fromberg

JM Test Systems Llc, 5857 Stearns Circle, (225) 925-2029, Harris, Luwana, Service, Billings

KC’s Puff N Stuff, 928 Broadwater Ave Suite 107, 939-0204, Cooper, Kelly Jo, Retail Sales, Billings

Town Pump Express, 691 S Shiloh Rd, 497-6923, Billings 13 Car Wash Llc, Service, Billings

Landrie Aviation, 436 Marathon Dr, 690-4926, Landrie, Adam, Retail Sales, Billings

Rock Star Painting, 2550 Wyoming Ave, 684-1232, Mallicott, Roger, Service, Billings

JG Distribution Inc, 1935 Belvedere Dr, 871-6523, Green, Jordan, Distributors, Billings

NO Creative, 1007 N 23rd St, 855-4888, Olsen, Nickolas, Service, Billings

Tanner Property Investments Llc, 4419 Loma Vista Dr, 591-2999, Harp, Rachel & Todd, Real Estate Rental, Billings

Wonderful Wiener, 401 E Main St, 591-3728, Schug, Brady, Restaurants, Laurel,

Anatnom Era EW Llc, 100 N 27th St, 690-4388, Delp, Ashley, Real Estate Rental, Billings

Buerkley Contracting, 5011 Haynes Rd, 580-4047, Buerkley, Brenton, General Contractors, Shepherd

Roaring Pearl Windows & Doors, 4206 Carlton Ave SW, 839-8820, Roehr, Jordan, Service, Billings

Xtreme Clean Llc, 1144 Horn Street, 855-1334, Limberhand, Dennis, Service, Billings

Stronghand Construction Llc, 1144 Horn Street, 855-1334, Limberhand, Dennis, General Contractors. Billings

Billings Shiloh Hotel Llc, 705 Henry Chapple St, 830-0866, Larralde, Raelene, Restaurants, Billings

Fleetpride Inc, 3605 Hesper Rd, (469) 249-7687, Curington , Mary, Service, Billings

Wise Designs, 331 Phyllis Cir E, 671-4023, Wise, Joshua, Service, Billings

KC Cares Llc, 3440 Cook Ave, 697-2807, Combs, Kelsey, Service, Billings

TJH Industries, 2315 1/2 Lewis Ave, 647-8199, Hoppe, Thomas, General Contractors, Billings

Artesania Reyna’s, 6048 Linck Circle, 560-2851, Antonio, Salome, Retail Sales, Shepherd

Lily’s Cleaning, 2107 Clubhouse Way #1, 671-7267, Anderson, Emilie, Service, Billings

Bath Fitter, 5710 Interstate Ave #2, 606-5556, Boomen, Rick Vanden, Service, Billings

The Endless Bead, 1009 Parkhill Dr,  698-1196, Carnathan, James, Retail Sales, Billings    

Miniso Winky Store Holding Llc, 300 S 24th St W Ste A14, (626) 463-4251, Choy, Bobby, Retail Sales, Billings

Southern Home Charms, 3721 Fort Laramie Dr, (435) 841-0606, Emmanuel, Amanda, Retail Sales, Billings

Ordnance Food Works, 4443 Phillip St, 671-1832, Thomas, Lance, Restaurants, Billings

59101 Handyman, 4139 Ryan Ave, 561-5408, Pena, Marcillino, Service, Billings

Charter Real Estate Company, 1148 16th St W Ste 16, 698-8203, Charter, Boyd, General Contractors, Billings,

MRE Handy Man Services Llc, 622 Orchard Ln, 561-9385, Nelson, Mike, Service, Billings

Live The Essential Oil Life Llc, 3001 62nd St W, 860-7433, Merkel, Nancy L, Retail Sales, Billings

Lane Estates Llc, 1204 Avenue E, 371-6534, Lane, Brittany, Real Estate Rental, Billings

Yellowstone Milling, 124 White Circle, 690-1224, Rambur, Todd, Retail Sales, Billings

Teske Construction Inc, 5165 Dovetail Ave, 670-9084, Teske, William, General Contractors, Billings

Downstream Design, 740 Topaz Ave, 698-9059, Sougstad, Tait, Service, Billings

Acapost Construction Cleaning, 293 Prospectors Ln, 591-4029, Hood, Service, Billings

R&M Solutions Inc, 206 North D St, 855-2349, Aasterud, Mary Beth, Service, Bridger

Odd N Ends, 806 Governors Blvd, 839-3300, Cadlo, Jason, Service, Billings

Malia’s Egress Windows, 1042 Broadwater Ave, 671-8575, Malia, Richard, General Contractors, Billings 

Yellowstone Valley Construction, 3122 Phillip St, 670-2011, Nelson, Ronal, General Contractors, Billings

Montana First State in the Nation to Open BEAD Portal

23 August 2024
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Montana will be the first state in the nation to open its Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) application portal.

On August 1, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) had given final approval to Montana’s BEAD proposal, allocating nearly $629 million to increase the state’s connectivity.

 “This generational investment for Montana’s communities can’t wait any longer,” Gianforte said. “Montana moved quickly to put together an application for the BEAD program, and tomorrow, we are taking the first steps to get the funding out the door. By bridging the digital divide, we’re expanding access to good-paying jobs, high quality education, and affordable health care for Montanans across the state.”

The Governor welcomed the news, adding this brings his administration’s total investment in expanding broadband connection to nearly $1 billion. 

Gianforte was among the first governors in 2023 to express interest in applying for a BEAD program planning grant. Montana Department of Administration Director Misty Ann Giles said there have been challenges to getting areas of Montana online, and this is going to help.

“BEAD funding provides a unique opportunity to meet these challenges, expanding broadband to unserved and underserved areas of Montana,” said Giles.

The state of Montana now has one year to launch the grant application, receive grant applications from Internet providers, and send selected proposals to the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for approval. 

Those interested may submit main-round applications to the Montana Broadband Office’s (MBO) ConnectMT portal beginning August 13. The close date for applications will remain October 15, 2024. The application and additional resources can be accessed at ConnectMT.mt.gov.

Upon signing their grant application, selected providers will have four years to deploy broadband services to Montanans in unserved and underserved areas.

Montana Families Deserve Choice School Options such as Charter Schools

23 August 2024
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By Chris Cargill, Kendall Cotton, and Derek Oestreicher

The Center Square

Families across the country have long benefited from the ability to attend a public charter school if they determined that was the best option for their children. Montana parents, however, have been stymied until recently when lawmakers finally stepped up. The Montana Legislature in 2023 passed two charter options for public education – HB 562 and HB 549. HB 562, the Community Choice Schools Act, is one of the strongest charter school laws in the country.

Public charter schools, called “Choice Schools” under Montana’s unique framework, are tuition-free public schools that are publicly funded but independently run. Choice Schools are granted flexibility from traditional public school regulations to build a learning environment and curriculum that fits the needs of their students. Choice Schools are subject to a contract that includes ongoing general government supervision, performance monitoring, and oversight. If Choice Schools don’t perform, they will be closed.

As they have done in nearly every state that has voted to launch public charter schools, the education establishment has sued to prevent implementation of HB 562 and deny families this important option.

This is why our organizations joined together to file an amicus brief in the case of Felchle v. Montana, to defend Choice Schools as an option for Montana families.

It’s abundantly clear that Montana’s Community Choice Schools Act (CCSA) is constitutional, consistent with charter school programs in other states, and will enable quality public education options for students. This is why we’re asking the court to uphold the Community Choice Schools Act and preserve this opportunity for Montana communities to expand the local public education system with student-centered Choice Schools.

Our amicus brief emphasizes three key points:

Constitutionality: The CCSA properly acknowledges the requirement in the Montana Constitution for the Board of Public Education to exercise “general supervision” over Choice Schools.

Consistency: The CCSA’s framework is consistent with the understanding of constitutional requirements for state board supervision of charter schools in other states.

Quality: The data on similar schools in other states, including research from Stanford University, demonstrates that Choice Schools will provide equality of educational opportunity and offer a quality education to Montana students.

We conclude our legal brief by noting: “For over three decades, children across the country have attended public charter schools and became more successful students because of it. Charter schools have a clearly demonstrated positive effect on their students and the data continues to show a positive upward trend, even in states where the charter law contains broad exemptions from state laws and regulations. Based on this data, Montana’s Choice Schools will provide a quality education because they follow a model that has led to academic quality in other states.”

For example, neighboring Idaho has more than 70 charter schools and a new law was passed this year that makes them easier to operate. Discussing Idaho’s charter schools, Kimberly School District Superintendent Luke Schroeder recently said: “You have to look at education for your entire community, not just your district. It’s human nature to be competitive, but we’ve got to put our egos aside and see what’s best for kids … At the end of the day, we just can’t be territorial about education.”

We believe that equality of educational opportunity guaranteed to all students by Montana’s Constitution means an all of the above approach – traditional public schools, choice schools, private schools, micro-schools, homeschooling, and more. We’re hopeful that Montana judges will agree. Allowing families more education options shouldn’t be a controversial idea. Montanans have waited long enough.