Shaylee Ragar

Helena

Statehouse Reporter at Montana Public Radio (Missoula, MT)

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

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Articles

Montana reps. back Trump plan to undo foreign aid, public media funding

3 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar

President Donald Trump is asking Congress to claw back roughly $9.4 billion from foreign aid programs and public news broadcasters. Montana’s federal representatives are voicing their support. Congress has 45 days to consider the rescission request before it expires. It would allow the federal government to take back $8.3 billion in foreign aid and $1.1 billion from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting.
Briefs: Job Corps pause; right-to-know ruling; Hospital Association president

3 weeks ago | mtpr.org | Victoria Traxler |Shaylee Ragar |Aaron Bolton

Labor Department will pause youth career training; Montana offices to remain openThe U.S. Department of Labor announced it will begin pausing a portion of the largest career training program for youth.The federal Job Corps program offers technical and educational training to young people between 16 and 24 years old. It provides students access to room and board for up to three years while they learn industry-specific skills.
Montana House Reps. vote in favor of Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill

1 month ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar

Montana’s Congressmen Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing helped advance Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” by one vote after it was debated through the night. If it passes in its current form, the bill would extend Trump’s 2017 income tax cuts, add work requirements for Medicaid recipients, put $46 billion toward the southern border wall and raise the debt ceiling, among other provisions.
Briefs: Court OKs fire retardant use; Dept. of Military Affairs head retires

1 month ago | mtpr.org | Ellis Juhlin |Shaylee Ragar

Court denies request to halt Forest Service from using fire retardantEllis Juhlin | Montana Public RadioThe U.S. Forest Service will be allowed to use fire retardant this summer despite ongoing litigation. U.S. District Court Judge Dana Christensen denied a request from the Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics to halt the use of the chemical. The groups say it harms human health, wildlife and waterways.
Advocacy groups sue over new election law changes

1 month ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar

Republicans in the Montana Legislature passed several new laws this session they say will protect election integrity. The Montana Public Interest Research Group (MontPIRG) filed suit in Missoula over a law that says people who move to Montana temporarily are not eligible to vote. The law requires prospective voters to self report whether they’re a temporary resident for work or an educational program.
Governor signs property tax changes into law

1 month ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar

Roughly 250,000 homeowners and small businesses are projected to see a break on rising property taxes under two bills Gov. Greg Gianforte signed. The final property tax package the state Legislature passed was the result of a complicated session-long debate. Several concepts were molded together into two companion bills. The plan includes Gianforte’s favored proposal to shift a higher tax burden onto second homes, short-term rentals and large businesses.
What passed and what failed: A roundup of major legislation from the 2025 Legislature

1 month ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar |Ellis Juhlin |Austin Amestoy |Elinor Smith

Taxes – Income tax cutsThe bill cuts the top marginal income tax rate by about .5% and raises the income ceiling for a lower rate bracket.
District Court overturns state ban on gender-affirming care for youths

1 month ago | mtpr.org | Shaylee Ragar

A Missoula judge concluded that a ban on gender-affirming care for youths is unconstitutional. Republicans in the state Legislature passed the law in 2023, saying they need to protect youths from experimental treatment. It would have prohibited health care providers from prescribing medical treatments for gender dysphoria, like puberty blockers or hormone therapy.
Listen: 69th Legislature live recap

1 month 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 month 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.