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.
Kalispell City Council moves forward on housing board, development standards along Parkline trail
City councilors narrowly agreed to move forward Monday on two housing-related initiatives championed by Kalispell …
Secretary of State, GOP chair oppose mail-in ballot
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana's secretary of state and the chairman of the state Republican party oppose a mail-in ballot for an expected special election to replace U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, saying that while it would …
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock vetoes 2 gun bills
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock vetoed his first two bills of the legislative session on Thursday, one that would have allowed guns in post offices and another that would have eliminated the need fo…
Proposal aims to shake up state parks
On the heels of a bill to remove most of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ authority over the state parks system, a second measure has been introduced into the…
Sen. Daines touts Supreme Court nominee amid protesters
HELENA (AP) — U.S. Sen. Steve Daines arrived Wednesday at the Montana state Capitol to tout the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court and foun…
County-tribal law enforcement agreement could see changes
A Polson lawmaker is advancing a bill in the Montana Legislature that would obligate the state to cover law enforcement costs for counties prosecuting felony c…
Montana's House seat goes quiet as Zinke awaits vote
While Montana’s sole U.S. House representative awaits a full Senate confirmation vote deciding whether he’ll be the next secretary of the Department of the Interior, his voting record has dropped off a ledge. Depen…
Lawmakers examine liquor license quotas
Arguing that Montana’s current quota system for liquor licenses is hurting downtown business in his district, a Belgrade-area lawmaker is sponsoring legislation that would give municipalities the power to raise or …
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…