Here’s something constructive Montana voters can do this fall: put the public back in the Public Service Commission (PSC). Rather than acting in citizen-ratepayers’ interests, the current PSC is monopoly utility provider Northwestern Energy’s (NWE) lapdog, not the watchdog you might imagine. This PSC has been paving the way for NWE to add even more […]

Did you know HD65 candidate Jolene Crum promotes antivaccination policy, HD67 candidate Jedidiah Hinkle when previously in the Legislature voted against having the department of health develop plans to prevent child abuse, HD69 candidate Jennifer Carlson railed against the county’s proposed requirement for masks (a proven way of limiting the spread of COVID-19) in public […]

There is a certain political party that advocates for less government, and it’s often associated with less taxes. However, it pays to know what less government really means. One meaning is that agencies with regulatory or oversight duties do not get fully funded, or enforcement is gutted so they cannot properly do their jobs. The […]

I am writing in support of the Sandy Erhardt’s candidacy for Gallatin County District Court. Sandy has an excellent background, including a college degree in public policy and planning. She has been a clerk in District Court for approximately 20 years. Sandy has demonstrated a high degree of proficiency in that position and she has […]

Sen. Steve Daines squandered a rare opportunity to earn the respect reserved for past Montana senators who valued principle over party politics. Bucking his party, Democratic Sen. Burton K. Wheeler led the opposition that defeated Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s power grabbing effort to pack the U. S Supreme Court. Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield rejected fellow […]

Mr. Trump casually proclaimed earlier this month that he was fearful that the American public would “panic” if told the actual truth regarding the coronavirus pandemic last February. Does this not imply that he was more concerned about panic reduction and re-election than saving human lives? From Jan. 28 until early March, Trump intentionally deceived […]

Government dysfunction has slowly but surely creeped from the federal level to the state level. The solution is to elect people who can think for themselves, who can work with others, and who care enough to study issues rather than just vote an ideology or a party line. Of equal importance is the ability of […]

I’m writing in support of Ed Stafman for House District 62, because I consider Ed one of the most humane, sensible, savvy and committed people I have met in Montana for a long time. I know him as a neighbor and a friend, as well as a person who has long supported the same sort […]

GOP politicians upholding oath to partisan beliefs Republican “Hypocritic” Oath: I swear to uphold partisan beliefs, treasonous actions, official malfeasance, criminal and seditious, against the institutions of democracy and the founding principles and national honor of the United States of America, so help me Donald J. Trump. Signees: U.S. Senate Republicans and U.S. House Republicans. […]

As clergy, among the most joyful parts of the job is to officiate at weddings. It’s one of the few times these days when our daily troubles seem to give way to pure unadulterated love. Occasionally, we must navigate through technical challenges, which could include obtaining a marriage license. For example, leading up to the […]