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Cost of Child Care
Costs of child care was a significant issue during this session of the Legislature. Legislators addressed it with the passage of House Bill 456, which would allows all child care workers with children of their own eligible for state welfare assistance through the Best Beginnings program. Child care with a focus on early childhood education…
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Coalition Urges Reversal of Gas Car Ban
Kenneth Schrupp, The Center Square Dozens of groups are urging Congress to overturn the Biden administration’s approval of California’s gas car ban, under which new gas-powered cars must be 100% zero-emission by 2035 and 35% for the model year 2026 vehicles already starting to arrive at dealers. The rules apply not only to California, but…
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Building Permits – May 15, 2025
Commercial Riverstone Health |Cucancic Construction Inc, 123 S 27th St,. Com Addition $490,000 Griffin Automotive Enterprises|Dick Anderson Construction, 4432 S Frontage Rd, Com Remodel, $400,000 106 LLC|Lees Construction & Development LLC, 1678 Shiloh Rd, Com Remodel, $125,000 Bar MW Properties LLC|Direct Pallet Racking Properties LLC, 719 Dunham Ave, Com Remodel, $50,000 Murphy Real Estate|Murphy Real…
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Bipartisan FEMA Reform Bill Would Streamline, Depoliticize Disaster Relief
FEMA Reform Bill By Thérèse Boudreaux, The Center Square Long plagued by inefficiency and politicization, the Federal Emergency Management System could soon see major reforms if Congress passes bipartisan legislation that has been introduced. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves, R-Mo., and Ranking Member Rick Larsen, D-Wash., released draft legislation that would bring…
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Billings New Business Permits – April 2025
Shoot Pool And Relax, 4104 Buchanan Ave, (406) 855-3671, Muhs, Sarah, Real Estate Rental, 59101 Big Sky Bakery LLC, dba Great Harvest Bread, 907 Poly Dr, (435) 512-7725, Lamont, Bart, Restaurants, 59102 Youtherapy PLLC, 3640 Mount Rushmore Ave, (406) 534-9201, Grubbs, McKenzie, Service, 59102 Crown Autoglass LLC, 1573 Nottingham Pl #1, (406) 894-3207, Longsioux, Jonathan,…
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Bessent Prediction: “Pro-Growth Win for the American People”
From Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council The process for advancing a reconciliation bill continues to chug along, which can’t come soon enough for entrepreneurs and small business owners who urgently need a tax package that makes permanent expiring provisions of the 2017 “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” and restores key measures that encourage investment and…
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16 States, DC Sue Trump Over 2021 EV Charger Funds; Most Haven’t Built Chargers
By Kenneth Schrupp, The Center Square A 17-state-and-territory coalition led by California, Washington and Colorado is suing the Trump administration to maintain access to $5 billion in EV charger funding passed by Congress in 2021 but put on hold by the current administration. A majority of the coalition, including lawsuit leaders California and Washington, has…
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$16.6 billion State Budget
The Montana State Legislature concluded its business for the 2025 session. It passed over eight hundred bills, many of which await action by the Governor. Over the last 20 years, the average number of bills adopted was 614. The legislators approved a $16.6 billion budget, which is about 15% more than the 2023 budget. It…
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Spring! Time to “Get Started”; Time to Register for Women’s Run
Geting Started Clinic’s for the Montana Women’s Run started this week and continues every Monday hereafter until Race Day on Saturday, May 10. Getting Started Clinics begin at 5:30 pm in Pioneer Park. It is a fun opportunity to get into shape for the big race. Bring a friend. Win a prize. There’s no better…
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Wind Industry Tax Rates Under Fire
By Christina Lengyel, The Center Square A bill aimed at removing a 2007 tax break from wind energy producers has West Virginia legislators at odds over the supremacy of coal in West Virginia’s economy. Senate Bill 439 would clarify that “wind power projects are not pollution control facilities,” which are taxed at salvage value. The…