Butte Officials Spar Over Fire Department Bill At Legislature
Butte-Silver Bow commissioners voiced frustration that House Bill 547 which would give the paid fire chief control over both paid and volunteer departments was not disclosed earlier. They argued the debate should start at local council rather than in Helena, noting secrecy and outside influence as key issues while volunteers oppose the measure.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Butte-Silver Bow
Statehouse
Council
Butte
Helena
Derek Harvey
D-Butte
Jim Fisher
J.P. Gallagher
Butte- Silver Bow
Zach Osborne
Senate
Fisher
Bill Andersen
Montana Standard
Harvey
Gallagher
Osborne
Montana sits on unspent TANF funds totaling over a hundred million
Montana holds about 105 million in unspent federal TANF funds at the start of fiscal 2025, with lawmakers arguing the money could aid children and families. Officials cite a rising cost of living, shifts in poverty, and a policy debate on welfare versus self-sufficiency as reasons for underutilization.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mary Caferro
Helena
House Appropriations Committee
Montana
State Health Department
National Center For Children On Poverty
Department of Public Health and Human Services
Jon Ebert
Montana fails to repeal gay marriage ban in constitution
Rep. Zooey Zephyr led House Bill 798 to remove the 2004 Montana constitutional ban on same sex marriage but the House Judiciary Committee tabled the measure along party lines. Testimony highlighted the desire for equal rights and recognition of LGBTQ families, including voices from Diane Sands and supporters across the spectrum.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carly Graf
Carly.graf
United States Supreme Court
Montana
U.S. Supreme Court
Zooey Zephyr
Missoula
Zephyr
House
Judiciary Committee
Senate
Federal High Court
Diane Sands
Also Mentioned on This Page
Silver Bow
Bill
Mike Smith
Mike.smith
Mtstandard.com
Anderson
Thom Bridge
Independent Record
R-Helena
Montana State Capitol