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.
GOP Nebraska lawmaker launches 'Redefine Republican' website
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Republican state lawmaker in Nebraska who has criticized President Donald Trump and accused the GOP of enabling racism launched a new website Tuesday to try to change the party's current view…
Missouri primary marred by equipment problems, car crash
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Problems with polling site equipment in Missouri's most populous county led some voters to turn away in frustration Tuesday without …
Coronavirus stokes worry over Florida economy, state budget
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The spread of the new coronavirus has stoked worries about Florida's economy, prompting lawmakers to rethink spending on big-ticket it…
Michigan deal funds virus outbreak, tuition aid, tourism ads
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan lawmakers and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday agreed to $321 million in spending that will be used to combat the coronavirus, provide financial assistance for certain adults to go to…
Georgia House passes bill seeking extended care for mothers
ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia House of Representatives pm Tuesday passed a bill that seeks to extend health insurance coverage for poor mothers after their children are born to try to prevent maternal deaths.
Tennessee lawmakers advance abortion 'reversal' bill
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Doctors who fail to inform women that drug-induced abortions may be halted halfway could face felony charges under a bill advancing in Tennessee.
Panel advances new package to lower Nebraska property taxes
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers will debate a new bill to lower property taxes as early as next week after a legislative committee endorsed it in a Tuesday vote.
Louisiana restarting bid process for new voting machines
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana is restarting its stalled effort to replace its voting machines, with the solicitation for bidders expected to go out shortly…
Advocates say Indiana regulation limits threaten renters
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Opponents are warning that a Republican push to block Indiana cities from regulating rental properties threatens existing local protections…
Court: House entitled to Mueller probe grand jury testimony
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department must give Congress secret grand jury testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, a federal a…
Oklahoma scraps bill restricting minors' marriages
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma lawmakers rejected a bill that would have stripped from parents and legal guardians of minors the legal power to consent to their marriages.
Economic remedies abound in crisis, but can they deliver?
WASHINGTON (AP) — The government has a palette of options it can use to shore up an economy imperiled by anxiety over the coronavirus outbreak. They start with…
Bill to track rape kits in South Carolina passes Senate
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A bill requiring state police to set up a system to track evidence collected during sexual assault investigations received key approval Tuesday in the state Senate.
New Mexico GOP contractor drops out of US Senate race
ALBUQUERQUE. N.M. (AP) — Republican construction contractor Mick Rich has announced he is ending his second run for the U.S. Senate in New Mexico.
House lawmakers want $10 million for county roads
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota House on Tuesday passed a measure to allot $10 million to county roads as lawmakers decided how to spend $13 million of one-time spare change in the state budget.