Politics & Government
The Daily Inter Lake’s Politics & Government section delivers updated local and national political coverage, featuring legislative developments, elections, policy debates, and government actions shaping Montana.
Counting machines add vote of confidence to elections security
The conference room of the Flathead County Elections Department whirred with noise. Volunteers rattled off strings…
Bullock calls on lawmakers to raise revenues
Gov. Steve Bullock on Wednesday gave an update on Montana’s grim budget situation.
Zinke: No plans to pay back charter flights
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet members say they do not plan to reimburse the government for charter flights costing tens of thousand…
GOP leader says NRA-backed gun bill shelved indefinitely
WASHINGTON — House Republican leaders called for unity and prayer Tuesday after the deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas, but offered no new legislation to tighte…
Senators pitch forest management bill
As Montana’s historic summer wildfires smolder down, U.S. Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Steve Daines, R-Mont., are focused on future blazes.
Democrats try to marshal support for special session
HELENA (AP) — Montana Democrats are trying to marshal public support for a special session to address the budget shortfall while Republicans argue state government needs to live within its means.
Zinke proposes protecting Badger-Two Med
BILLINGS — U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has closely followed his boss’ playbook, encouraging mining and drilling on public lands and reducing the size of…
Dems criticize Interior chief over employee loyalty comments
WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats are criticizing Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke after he said nearly one-third of employees at his department are not loyal …
$229M in state spending cuts proposed
HELENA (AP) — The governor’s budget director is recommending Montana agencies cut $229 million in general fund spending over the next two years to balance the state’s budget due to lower revenues than expected and …
Senators take aim at Canadian lumber exports
Montana’s two U.S. senators testified Wednesday before a federal commission tasked with investigating Canadian lumber export practices.
Daines to discuss fires at tele-town hall
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines will host a tele-town hall on Wednesday to discuss the wildfire season.
Zinke won't recommend eliminating any national monuments
BILLINGS — Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced Thursday he won’t seek to rescind any national monuments carved from the wilderness and oceans by past presi…
Helena commission orders removal of Confederate fountain
HELENA (AP) — The Helena City Commission ordered the removal of a Confederate memorial during an administrative meeting Wednesday.
Interior chief warns Alaska senators on health care
WASHINGTON — Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke called Alaska’s two Republican senators to warn them of repercussions for the nation’s largest state if they failed …
Boy Scout leader apologizes for Trump's political rhetoric
NEW YORK (AP) — The Boy Scouts' chief executive apologized Thursday to members of the scouting community who were offended by the aggressive political rhetoric…
Montana health providers warn cuts would be disastrous
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana health officials are proposing Medicaid cuts that health care providers said Thursday would force nursing homes to turn away patie…