Brian Bennett

2 weeks ago | northernbroadcasting.com | Brian Bennett

Email mistake reveals secret plans to end research on Head Start and other child safety net programsMontana has 22 Head Start and Early Head Start programs across roughly 20 locations serve over 3,000 children designed to address the unique needs of the communities they serve. According to a spreadsheet mistakenly made public this week the Trump administration plans to terminate dozens of university grants studying improvements to Head Start and childcare policy.

2 weeks ago | northernbroadcasting.com | Brian Bennett

‘Sine die’ motions bring the Montana Legislature’s 2025 session to a close. The 69th Montana Legislature ended Wednesday after authorizing residential property tax relief and finalizing spending measures including a $16.6 billion budget bill to fund the state’s operations for the next two years. The House wrapped up its business with little fanfare at 12:59 in the afternoon while it took the Senate two votes before it adjourned later                              in the day.

2 weeks ago | northernbroadcasting.com | Brian Bennett

Second-home tax bills advance aiming to reduce tax bills for homeowners landlordsGovernor Greg Gianforte’s signature property tax relief measure advanced Tuesday toward final legislative votes. Now contained in House Bill 231 and Senate Bill 542 it would scale back taxes on primary residences and long-term rentals and avoid cuts to local government services by pushing taxes up on second homes and Airbnb-style short-term rentals.

2 weeks ago | northernbroadcasting.com | Brian Bennett

‘Montana’s photo voter ID bill heads to Governor’s desk’Photo voter identification is headed to the Governor’s desk. Senate Bill 276 enacts photo ID voting in Montana and elevates several forms of identification providing Montana voters with a wide variety of photo ID options when voting. The bill also elevates tribal photo identification cards for Montana’s Native American voters.

3 weeks ago | northernbroadcasting.com | Brian Bennett

Idaho Montana Wyoming AGs join push for Second Amendment task forceMontana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and attorneys general from Wyoming and Idaho are joining forces to support the creation of a Second Amendment task force led by West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McClusky. Earlier this month U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi highlighted the task force’s role in using legal means to combat gun control legislation. The task force would use litigation to challenge gun control laws.