Shaylee Ragar

Helena

Statehouse Reporter at Montana Public Radio (Missoula, MT)

Statehouse reporter @mtpublicradio | formerly @bozchron & @MontanaKaimin | ✉️: [email protected]

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Articles

Listen: 69th Legislature live recap

3 days ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar |Ellis Juhlin |Aaron Bolton |Eric Dietrich

This special live episode of The Session was recorded on May 7, 2025, a week after the legislative session wrapped up. We review the major legislation, from tax policy, to education to health care in Indian country and more. MTPR's Shaylee Ragar, Aaron Bolton and Ellis Juhlin are joined by Tom Lutey, Eric Dietrich, Mara Silvers, Amanda Eggert, Alex Sakariassen and Nora Mabie from the Montana Free Press.
Sine Die

1 week ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar |Eric Dietrich

The 69th Legislature has adjourned. We're here to talk about what happened and what comes next. MTPR's Shaylee Ragar is joined by Tom Lutey, Eric Dietrich and Mara Silvers from the Montana Free Press. Do you have questions about the results of the 69th legislative session and how they may affect you? Learn about the key bills, big debates, party politics and what’s next for Montana’s laws from the journalists who were there.
Chaotic legislative session marked by unlikely alliances comes to a close

1 week ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar

After 85 days, introducing more than 1,000 bills and passing a two-year state budget, the Montana Legislature has adjourned its 69th session. Montana Public Radio’s Shaylee Ragar joined Elinor Smith to talk through the political dynamics and policy debates. Elinor Smith: Shaylee, how would you describe this legislative session overall? Shaylee Ragar: Chaotic. And the last day was no different. It took three separate votes for the Senate to agree to adjourn for the session.
The Legislature adjourns

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar

The 69th Montana Legislature adjourned Wednesday after passing a two-year, $16 billion budget and a proposal to restructure property taxes. Both chambers voted to conclude their work on day 85 of the session. During that time, they considered more than 1,000 bills, conducted an ethics investigation and made plans for the interim. Senate President Matt Regier led a deeply divided Republican caucus. Political sparring continued through the final vote on the floor.
Property tax package advances with bipartisan support

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar

Two coordinated property tax bills advanced with bipartisan support in the Montana Legislature Tuesday. Supporters say it’s not a perfect solution, but will lower taxes for homeowners and small businesses without cutting state or local services. Republican Rep. Llew Jones helped craft it and says he understands it’s not popular with everyone.
Briefs: ACLU sues Trump Administration. Montana Tech Chancellor candidate withdraws.

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar |Victoria Traxler

ACLU sues Trump Administration over family planning grants Shaylee Ragar | Montana Public RadioThe ACLU is suing the Trump Administration for withholding grant funds from family planning clinics, including 20 providers in Montana. The suit was filed on behalf of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association. It argues the federal health department illegally froze nearly $66 million in Title X grants.
Governor signs income tax cut into law

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar

Gov. Greg Gianforte has made cutting income taxes a top priority since he first took office in 2021. The Montana Legislature again agreed to a rate reduction this session, but by less than what the governor had proposed. Gianforte wanted a 1% cut and lawmakers approved half that. For a single worker earning $50,000 annually, that amounts to a savings of about $170. At a bill signing outside of the Capitol, Gianforte said he’s glad Montanans will retain more of their wages.
The end approaches

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar |Eric Dietrich

The 69th Legislature is starting week 17, it's likely the last week of the session. Political tension are roiling as lawmakers narrow in on the final pieces of the state budget and property tax relief. MTPR's Shaylee Ragar is joined by Eric Dietrich from the Montana Free Press. Do you have questions about the results of the 69th legislative session and how they may affect you?
Proposal to establish new state trust fund advances

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar

A proposal to squirrel away nearly a billion dollars in state funds over the next few years is advancing along tight margins in the Legislature. What’s been dubbed the Growth and Opportunity, or GO, Trust is a complex framework of interest-earning savings accounts. Most of the money would come from the state’s general fund, which is largely filled with income tax revenue. Rep.
Who should get to estimate the costs of a proposed law?

2 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar

Gov. Greg Gianforte recently visited an elementary school in East Helena. He took questions from the students before signing a bill with money for K-12 public education alongside Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen. One student asks, “How much money does it cost to provide for everybody and the resources that everybody needs?""That’s a great question," Hedalen says. "It's a lot," Gianforte adds. Answering that question is the goal of a fiscal note.