Montana Conservation Voters didn’t get much of what it wanted in the 2017 Legislature, but it managed to avoid the worst of what it did not want. MCV released its 2017 Montana Legislative Scorecard this week, detailing its positions on 12 bills, plus two resolutions, of concern to the state’s environmental interests. Seven of the bills made it through both houses of the Legislature but were vetoed by Gov. Steve Bullock. The resolutions, both backed by MCV, failed, and none of the five bills MCV supported or the seven it opposed became law. “Special thanks should go to Governor Steve Bullock who stopped the terrible legislation that would have limited access to Montana’s public lands, put more money in the pockets of big polluters, and rolled back our clean energy economy,” Clayton Elliott, MCV’s executive director, said in a news release. Continue Reading →
Daniel Zolnikov
Recent Posts
In busy week in Helena, LGBTQ protections debated
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The Montana Legislature heard emotional testimony last week on a bill that would include gender identity and sexual orientation in the state’s non-discrimination laws. Introduced by Rep. Kelly McCarthy, D-Billings, House Bill 417 would add LGBTQ-identifying individuals to a list of classes protected by the Montana Human Rights Act, meaning it would prevent them from being discriminated against when seeking housing and employment, and when using public accommodations. (more…) Continue Reading →
Filed under: Montana, News, Daniel Zolnikov, Kelly McCarthy, Montana Legislature
Third-party supporters gather for mid-week ‘throwdown’
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About 75 people turned out Wednesday night for a “Third Party Throwdown” at Yellowstone Valley Brewing Co.’s Garage Pub, but it seems safe to say that neither Gary Johnson nor Jill Stein was the main attraction. That would have been Yellowstoned, a band that describes itself as a psychedelic reggae dub-hop collective. Others were there for opening acts that played folk music and hip hop. (more…) Continue Reading →
Filed under: Montana, Andrew Forcier, Brian Bolton, Daniel Zolnikov, Gary johnson, Green Party, Jill Stein, Kari Boiter
Local legislators would overhaul forfeiture law
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Two Billings lawmakers are planning to introduce legislation that would eliminate or overhaul a state law that allows authorities to seize the assets of people involved in crimes. Reps. Kelly McCarthy, a Democrat, and Daniel Zolnikov, a Republican, say that while widespread abuse of the law has not been reported in Montana, law enforcement authorities in other states have used similar laws to seize property — including houses — from law-abiding citizens. (more…) Continue Reading →