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.
Sam Forstag declares victory in Dem primary for US House
Missoula smokejumper Sam Forstag declared victory Wednesday morning in a four-way contested primary among Democrat…
Legislator says transparency will help narrow gender-based pay gap
A state Senate panel heard a bill Wednesday aiming to bridge the state’s gender-based pay gap before tabling a similar proposal.
Bill aims to expand air service in Montana
Business groups and airport executives lined up Wednesday in support of a proposal to create a $2 million state grant program that would help fund efforts to i…
Senate OKs bill to change net metering reimbursement rate
A bill aiming to change the rate at which solar and other “net metering” utility customers are reimbursed for their excess wattage received preliminary approval from the Montana Senate Wednesday.
Bill seeks to clarify process of irrigation elections
Following last year’s messy election for the joint irrigation district served by the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project, a Polson legislator is pushing a proposal to clarify Montana’s guidelines for future irrigati…
Bill proposes to shake up oversight of state parks
A proposal to reshape the authority over Montana State Parks got its first look Feb. 7 during a lengthy hearing before the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commi…
Lawmakers support 2 air ambulance regulation bills
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana lawmakers on Thursday moved forward with two measures that seek to prevent patients from receiving huge bills from air ambulance providers that are not in network with their insurance p…
Foster care rights bill passes Montana House
HELENA (AP) — The Montana House on Wednesday passed a bill that lays out the rights of foster children and parents and allows them to lodge a complaint with the state if they believe those rights have been violated.
Montana may try novel approach in public defender overhaul
HELENA (AP) — Montana officials moved forward Wednesday with an effort to overhaul the state’s public defender system, which has been long beset with sinking morale and a growing caseload that puts pressure on what…
'Solar Guy' packs Kalispell brewery for energy-policy talk
“Net metering” might not sound like a classic barn-burner of a presentation topic. But scores of Flathead residents packed into Kalispell Brewing Co.’s taproom…
Solar energy up for debate in Helena
“Solar Guy” Brad Van Wert’s series of policy talks comes as a bevy of bills are being pushed in the state House and Senate to reshape the landscape of incentives for renewable-energy generation in Montana, particul…
Bullock to lawmakers: Cut your own spending first
HELENA (AP) — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock used his veto power Thursday to send a message to lawmakers: Cut your own spending before reducing other government agencies’ budgets.
Bigfork lawmaker to propose houseboat regs
POLSON — With local and state agencies scratching their heads over how and whether to regulate houseboats on Flathead Lake, a Bigfork lawmaker plans to introdu…
Milo Yiannopoulos' UC Berkeley talk canceled
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — A talk at the University of California at Berkeley by Milo Yiannopoulos, a Breitbart News editor, was canceled Wednesday out of safety …
Ryan Zinke OK'd by Senate committee for Interior job
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans pushed President Donald Trump’s nominees to head the Energy and Interior Departments through a Senate panel on Tuesday while othe…
As Montana Legislature starts its 65th session, budget battle looms
HELENA (AP) — Just before the Montana Legislature gaveled in its 2017 session Monday, Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock looked to ease the tension building over a looming budget battle by calling on the two parties to …