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Victoria Eavis

'Once-in-a-generation' bill worth $900 million intensifies divisions at MT Legislature

A bill worth more than $900 million that has been in the works for four years is swiftly moving through the Montana Legislature in its final days. House Bill 924, sponsored by longtime legislator and the chief engineer of the state’s budget, Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, establishes a

As Reps endorse major property tax bill, Busse lobbies lawmakers for rival proposal

Just as the House Taxation Committee passed a major property tax package and celebrated the win Friday, a group of former government officials were carrying out a lobbying push for a different property tax bill in the other chamber. The effort to pass property tax relief has been drawn out

Montana legislators, lobbyists make property tax progress behind the scenes

Lawmakers and lobbyists are working hard to deliver a property tax relief bill to Montana residents, but much of that work is outside of public view. There are still a number of proposals in play from both sides of the aisle, some of which may be combined or modified, but

No clear path forward for property tax relief in final days of MT legislative session

With just 20 possible days left in the Montana legislative session, lawmakers are at an impasse on how to provide property tax relief, one of the most important tasks before the Legislature this session. Gov. Greg Gianforte and countless legislators have continually said they received a “mandate” from Montanans this

Democratic coalition blocks expulsion of GOP Sen. Ellsworth; leaders to broker discipline

The Montana Senate was at an impasse on Monday over how to punish Hamilton Republican Sen. Jason Ellsworth after he attempted to use state money he had control over to arrange a contract for his longtime friend and former business partner. The chamber considered two punishments: One to expel him

Montana GOP calls for Sen. Ellsworth's resignation following controversial business deal

The Montana Republican Party called for Hamilton Republican Sen. Jason Ellsworth to resign Sunday, a day before the Senate is set to vote on whether or not to expel the senator. Ellsworth, former president of the Montana Senate, used leftover committee funds that he had control over at the time

What the ethics committee's 22-page report on Ellsworth's contract does and doesn't say

The Senate Ethics Committee charged with investigating a senator’s controversial state-funded contract wrapped up its work Wednesday, signing off on a 22-page report of its findings. The Senate voted to convene the committee after Sen. Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, obtained a contract for his longtime friend using