Articles written by Austin Amestoy
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Mont. Legislature adjourns; marijuana plans, $12.5 billion budget, federal relief, more go to Gov's desk
2021 Montana Legislature Adjourns after Near-Marijuana Meltdown and Bill-Resurrecting Blitz The 67th Montana Legislature adjourned on Thursday, April 29, following a week filled wit... — Updated 5/5/2021
As Mobile Home Parks See Major Rent Spikes, Montana Legislature Has Little Appetite for Affordable Housing Solutions
Mobile home parks are one of the last strongholds of reliable affordable housing in Montana, helping people of a wide range of income levels become homeowners, even as prices for... — Updated 4/30/2021
Separation of Powers Crisis, Recreational Marijuana Bill on the Move, Anti-Trans Bills Split Votes
Republican Lawmakers Locked in Battle with State Supreme Court over "Judicial Transparency" As the Montana Legislature nears the close of its biennial business, Republican... — Updated 4/30/2021
As "Compromise" Public Health Regulation Bill Nears Law, Public Health Officer Reflects on a Year of Scrutiny
Butte-Silver Bow County Health Officer Karen Sullivan was enjoying a drink in a Butte brewery after work when she said she got the call. For two months, she and her fellow county... — Updated 4/14/2021
Week 13: Marijuana bills advance largely unchanged, state budget clears Senate
Montana Senate Passes State Budget Bill, Rejects Attempt to End Medicaid Expansion The state budget is on the move again in the Montana Legislature after the Senate passed in on a... — Updated 4/14/2021
Money Moves and Health Care Transparency Blues in Week 13 of the Montana Legislature
Montana House Approves Draft of Bill to Spend $3 Billion in Federal COVID-19 Relief; Senate Panel Advances Budget Ahead of a key deadline on April 8, the Montana Legislature is quic... — Updated 4/6/2021
Week 12: State Budget Clears House, Lawmakers Consider Criminal Justice and Ag Bills
Montana House of Representatives Advances State Budget in Partisan Vote The state budget cleared another major hurdle in the Montana Legislature after lawmakers in the House of Repr... — Updated 3/31/2021
Legislature kicks off second half with bills combating drug trafficking, limiting Gov.'s emergency powers and changes to public education
Lawmakers Hear Bill to Combat Drug, Sex Trafficking in Montana A bill drafted with the help of former Republican state Senator Dr. Al Olszewski would add a new set of signs to... — Updated 3/16/2021
Montana Legislature Brings Vaccine Exemption and Broadband Expansion Bills as Lawmakers Rush to Meet Key Deadline
Lawmakers Race to Introduce Bills Before Key Deadline; House Committee Holds Marathon Hearings As the Legislature approaches the halfway point of the session -- and a key deadline... — Updated 3/3/2021
"No One Can Stop Them:" Meet the Families Behind the Push for Insurance Coverage for Montana's Deaf Children
Nine years ago, doctors diagnosed Caden Shrauger with stage-four neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that developed in his nerve cells and spread throughout his body. At the time, doctors... — Updated 2/23/2021
In Week 7 of the Montana Legislature: Privacy Protections, Voting Restrictions, Bison Bills and Pandemic Preparedness
Montana Constitutional Amendment would Establish Protections for Electronic Messages The Montana Legislature is considering a bill proponents say will offer increased clarity and... — Updated 2/23/2021
Skilled Laborers are in Short Supply in Montana. Lawmakers Hope Education Tax Credits Can Help.
Casey Olson has been on a drill rig since 1991. Back then, Olson worked at a mineral exploration company, and though the work was “break-back,” learning the equipment wasn’t... — Updated 2/17/2021
Public Health Boards Under the Microscope in Montana Legislature
HELENA -- The COVID-19 pandemic brought a flood of new orders and guidelines from local health departments for businesses across Montana, including particularly tricky ones for... — Updated 2/2/2021
Gianforte gives State of the State Address, House advances abortion bills; debate on 'sanctuary' cities gets heated
Gov. Gianforte Promises a "Montana Comeback" in First State of the State Address Gov. Greg Gianforte, the first Republican governor in 16 years in Montana, praised a "resilient"... — Updated 2/2/2021
Lawmakers hear arguments on transgender healthcare, abortion in controversial week
Anti-Transgender Bills Draw Opponents Lawmakers have advanced two measures aimed at banning transgender women and girls from playing women's sports and blocking transgender youth... — Updated 1/27/2021
First Week of 67th Legislative Session sees new Governor, COVID-19 plans and gun bills
Legislature, Gov. Gianforte offer COVID-19 plans as first legislator tests positive HELENA -- A bill to reduce COVID-19 liability for Montana businesses and the first meeting of... — Updated 1/13/2021
