Last Best News (https://montana-mint.com/lastbestnews/tag/eric-feaver/)
Efforts by staffers at the Missoula Independent to organize under Lee Enterprises gained the support of the state’s largest labor union on Tuesday, with the MEA-MFT saying it is watching the process closely. (more…) Continue Reading →
In a move intended to strengthen organized labor and the middle class, Montana’s two largest public employee unions merged Saturday to form the 24,000-member-plus Montana Federation of Public Employees. The new entity is now the state’s largest union. (more…) Continue Reading →
HELENA — The main state budget bill at the Montana Legislature passed first reading last week with some surprises, including the restoration of $11.5 million to higher education funding. But one area has consistently struggled to find funding throughout the first half of the 65th Montana legislative session—special education. Funded through a combination of federal dollars and state funds, special education has seen minimal increases in state funds, leaving local and federal dollars to pick up the slack, according to a report by the legislative school funding interim committee. (more…) Continue Reading →
Expansion of school funding sought
By Freddy Monares
Montana Lawmakers will be considering a bill that would allow schools to receive state funding for a wider age range of students. House Bill 274 would include 5-year-olds and students with disabilities up to age 21 in the Average Number Belonging, or ANB, calculations. Current statute only funds students ages 6 through 19. “The adult programs that are available for people with significant disabilities have long waiting lists,” said bill sponsor Rep. Kathy Kelker, D-Billings. “No school. Continue Reading →
Much has already been made of the news that the Montana House Education Committee will be led during the 2015 legislative session by two prominent supporters of school choice and charter schools. But since Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock is likely to veto any attempts to bring school choice to Montana, it’s the long game that is more interesting, and in that sense backers of school choice seem positioned to prevail someday soon. (more…) Continue Reading →
