Last Best Blog

Bill  would let lawmakers pack heat in Capitol
By Cole Grant
HELENA — House Bill 280 would allow lawmakers to carry handguns on state property, including in the Capitol during the Legislature. Rep.  Randy Brodehl, R-Kalispell, said he would support allowing anyone who qualifies for open and concealed carry to have guns on state property, but that getting support for that broad a bill would be unlikely. “The first thing that we need to do is start with who is the most vulnerable,” he said. “And in the Capitol, I think legislators are.”

Don Jones of MEA-MFT, a labor union representing public employees, said the bill could make the Capitol unwelcoming to visitors. “We shouldn’t do anything to discourage and create some sort of fear with the rest of the public who want to come here and talk to you about issues that they know you might have disagreements with them,” he said. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Last Best Blog, Montana Legislature

Bill would allow guns at the post office
By Cole Grant
The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on four bills about gun control Tuesday morning at the 2017 Montana Legislature. House Bill 246 would allow firearms on postal service property in Montana, overriding a federal rule that prohibits it. This would include inside the post office, as well as the parking lot. Rep. Seth Berglee, R-Joliet, spoke in favor of the bill. “And even people that concealed carry, to say that you can’t just take it off and leave it in your vehicle, that that too would be illegal, I don’t think that’s really in keeping with the traditions of Montana,” he said. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Last Best Blog, Montana Legislature

Guardianship bill gets a hearing
By Freddy Monares
Republican Sen. Roger Webb is sponsoring a bill that would pave the way for an organization like the Chicago-based Safe Families for Children to set up a network in Montana of volunteer host families where distressed parents could place their children. “Safe Families is a loving, non-judgmental safety net parents can rely on for help, advice, support, without the fear of losing custody of their children,” Webb said. Senate Bill 117 would make it possible for Montana parents to give up guardianship temporarily. Shannon McDonald, deputy chief counsel for the Department of Health and Human Services, spoke in opposition to the bill. “The bill itself contains no protections for children,” she said. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Last Best Blog, Montana Legislature

Bill would ban energy drinks from SNAP purchases
By Cole Grant
Montanans who get get government help buying food won’t be able to use benefits to buy energy drinks if House Bill 153 passes the Montana Legislature. Rep. Vince Ricci, R-Laurel, explained his interpretation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP: “It is designed to stretch your food budget and buy healthy food. So my reason for bringing this bill is I don’t see energy drinks as being a healthy food.”

Rep. Jessica Karjala, D-Billings opposes the bill. “I just think that really, the point of this legislation is to have the conversation, and to plant that idea in people’s minds that poor people don’t have good discretion, that they’re not responsible for making good choices with their money,” she said. “It’s vilification of the poor.”

The House Human Services Committee will hear HB 153 Wednesday afternoon. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Last Best Blog, Montana Legislature