From Legislative Secrecy to Constitutional Sunlight

From Legislative Secrecy to Constitutional Sunlight

By Bob Brown, Published in The Daily Montanan on April 17, 2025 and in The Western News on April 22, 2025. Only a handful of us who served in the legislature under the old 1889 Montana Constitution still survive. That constitution reflected the dominant power of the...
Guest Column: Con Con Delegates Oppose Partisan Judges

Guest Column: Con Con Delegates Oppose Partisan Judges

March 18, 2025: A Guest Column by Six Living Delegates to the Montana Constitutional Convention Mae Nan Ellingson, Gene Harbaugh, Jerome Loendorf, Lyle Monroe, Marshall Murray, & Lynn Sparks Keeley As six of the seven living delegates to the 1972 Montana...
Montana’s 1972 Con-Con Delegates: Citizens, not Copper Kings

Montana’s 1972 Con-Con Delegates: Citizens, not Copper Kings

By Emily Cross, Published in the Missoulian on March 8, 2025 Fifty-three years ago, Montana underwent a remarkable transformation that left a lasting impact on the state’s political landscape, citizenry, and environment. The catalyst for this change was the 1972...
Invasion of the Judicial Branch

Invasion of the Judicial Branch

By Marc Racicot, published in the Daily Inter Lake on February 13, 2025.  Before entering upon the duties of his or her office, a legislator “shall,” according to Article III of the Montana Constitution, solemnly swear to faithfully support, protect and defend the...
Getting to Know the Montana Constitution

Getting to Know the Montana Constitution

By Susan Byorth Fox, published in the Missoulian on February 8, 2025 I am honored to chair Friends of the Montana Constitution, a successor to the Montana Constitution Society, which consisted of the delegates of the 1972 Constitutional Convention (ConCon). As the...