Category: Politics
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Mountain States Among Most 2nd Amendment Supportive
By Chris Woodward, The Center Square Mountain States are among the most gun-friendly states in 2024. Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, North and South Dakota all rank high in rankings from ammunition e-commerce and wholesaler company Ammo.com. Montana is fourth on this year’s ranking. Like other states in its region, Montana is a Constitutional Carry state with…
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Most Americans Agree About the Green Issue
A newly released study reveals that most people in the US, no matter their political leanings, are more in concert with each other about the future of energy and not nearly as divided as the media and politics of it all would have the world believe. It’s a “bedrock of public opinion” that “any transition,…
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Letters to the Editor Deming and Butcher
To the Editor, In the press recently there appeared criticism of HB 527, the Defend the Guard bill. One article was by Senator Wendy McKamey titled, “It’s Time We End the War on Law Enforcement and the National Guard”. There was also a critical article by Roger Hagan titled, “Show Ponies Must Own Their Votes”.…
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Mountain States Most Free; Montana Ranks 6th Most Free
By Chris Woodward, The Center Square Mountain states rank among the “most free” in North America, according to a new report from the Fraser Institute. Montana tied as the sixth most free state in the nation. The Canadian think tank employs 10 variables for its Economic Freedom of North America 2023 reports and scores states based on categories such as government…
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Wealthy Millennials Coming to Montana
Montana reported a 6.7% net increase in its population of wealthy millennials — defined here as individuals ages 26–45 earning over $200,000 annually—to its population, according to Upgraded Points. Overall, wealthy millennials are moving to Montana at the 3rd highest rate in the nation. Florida and Texas gained the most wealthy millennials, Vermont saw the…
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YOUR BOOTS ON THE HILL
By Rachel Cone and Nicole Rolf, Montana Farm Bureau Federation Week four of the 68th Montana Legislature is working to accomplish the peoples’ business and we saw many bills continue their journey this week. A Montana Farm Bureau member, Christy Clark, was confirmed by the Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee to serve as Director…
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Omnibus Spending Bill Launches Massive Carbon Program for Ag
From Northern Ag Network The massive spending bill negotiated for Congress to pass before adjourning includes language allowing USDA to establish rules and verification protocols for agricultural carbon market programs. The bill also funds $3.74 billion for agricultural disasters in 2022. The $1.7 trillion “omnibus” spending bill, however, does not include any immigration reform for…
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Billings Chamber Priorities: Tax Reform, Public Safety, and Montana’s Workforce.
By Dan Brooks TAX REFORM The Billings Chamber supports the Governor’s proposals to increase the Business Equipment Tax exemption and decrease the top marginal income tax rate. Both will provide significant benefits to our businesses. In Yellowstone County, there are 502 entities with business equipment tax liability in tax year 2022. Raising the exemption threshold…
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Montana Newcomers Tend to be Wealthy, Raising State Average
Overall, Montanans have become more affluent as the influx of people moving into the state have tended to be more affluent than the average citizen. According to Bryce Ward, a Montana economist and consultant, between 2019 and 2021, the number of Montana households earning $200,000 or more per year increased by nearly 12,000, or 63%.…
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Have Term Limits Worked in Montana?
By Evelyn Pyburn Almost a fourth of Montana’s incumbent state legislators in Montana were ineligible to file for re-election this year because of term limits. It’s been over 30 years since Montana adopted term limits, amid much controversy and with lots of contrasting predictions about their impact.So how have term limits impacted the state legislature…