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 Council reviews $189M budget proposal, weighs public safety and infrastructure spending
Kalispell City Council took its first look at the municipality’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget last week.
Louisiana declares public health emergency for coronavirus
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a public health emergency in Louisiana on Wednesday as the number of new coronavirus cases in the state …
States shuffle poll locations to protect seniors from virus
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The coronavirus threat is forcing elections officials in some states to remove polling places from nursing homes and other senior care fa…
What SD lawmakers have on the budget negotiating table
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — As the South Dakota Legislature enters its final day to finalize a budget on Thursday, lawmakers are squabbling over how to spend $13 million in unexpected one-time funds.
Democrats admit bumps in caucuses, but say they worked out
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Democrats are happy with the large turnout for the state's revamped presidential caucus but said they hope to improve on a syst…
Congress acts to limit Trump on military action in Iran
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defying a veto threat, Congress has approved a bipartisan measure to limit President Donald Trump's authority to launch military operations a…
Georgia county punished for ditching voting machines
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia's State Election Board voted on Wednesday to punish election officials in one county for their decision not to use the state's new v…
GOP hopeful: Republican Congress showed 'lack of leadership'
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Republican U.S. House candidate in a crucial New Mexico race said Monday the GOP-controlled Congress and the Trump Administration sh…
Lawmakers cancel session, Pritzker seeks sick-time relief
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Both houses of the Illinois General Assembly announced Wednesday that they have canceled legislative sessions in Springfield next week because of the threat of the spread of the new coronav…
GOP unveils 'diverse' slate in move to take New Mexico House
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Republicans on Wednesday introduced the slate of candidates they hope will flip the Democratic-controlled New Mexico House amid rural …
Democrats buoyed by high turnout in Michigan primary
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Democrats are hoping the record turnout in the state's presidential primary portends well for their efforts to defeat President …
Local races not affected after Dallas County primary recount
AUSTIN (AP) — Dallas County completed the recount of missing ballots from last week's primary and the results showed local races were not affected, elections officials announced.
Florida passes bill to combat blue-green algae blooms
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Legislature is attempting to rein in the blue-green algae blooms that have hurt tourism and wildlife, sending Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis a bill that seeks to reduce nutrients …
Coronavirus response included in final WA budget plan
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Racing to finish the 60-day legislative session amid growing concerns over containing the new coronavirus outbreak, Democratic leaders in…
New Hampshire House grapples with coronavirus concerns
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Concerns over the coronavirus outbreak are playing out in the New Hampshire House, where at least one member is in self-quarantine and the chamber is being repeatedly sanitized.
Sanders' formula for delegate victory evaporating in March
WASHINGTON (AP) — Bernie Sanders' mathematical path to winning enough delegates for the Democratic nomination is rapidly disappearing.