News & Opinions
Please note that opinions posted here are not necessarily opinions of The Friends of the Montana Constitution, a 501c3 nonprofit. The views and opinions expressed below are those of the authors listed and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.
News
February 6, 2023 / News
The Montana Legislature’s seating chart
House Bill 271, sponsored by Rep. Paul Tuss, D-Havre, would seat lawmakers in the state House and Senate alphabetically by last name.
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February 2, 2023 / News
Montana resolution seeking Article V Convention tabled in split Senate vote
A resolution that would make Montana the 20th state to request an Article V Convention to amend the U.S. Constitution is likely dead after it failed on its third reading in the Senate Wednesday.
The Senate deadlocked 25-25 on its final vote on Senate Joint Resolution 2 a day after the measure narrowly passed on second reading Tuesday, 26-24. Sen. Ellie Boldman, D-Missoula, switched her vote for final passage.
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January 31, 2023 / News
How many constituents does your representative represent?
Every representative has one vote on the floor of the Montana House of Representatives, but some represent thousands of constituents more than do their neighbors a few seats over. Here’s why.
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January 13, 2023 / News
Bills aim to repeal Montana voting, elections laws struck down in court
Two bills that would repeal Montana laws surrounding voting and elections that have been struck down by judges saw no opposition in the initial committee hearings Friday.
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January 3, 2023 / News
Montana Consumer Counsel may freely testify, per rules change in committee
The Senate Rules Committee voted Tuesday to reinstate the Montana Consumer Counsel’s ability to freely give testimony to legislative committees.
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Opinion
February 2, 2025 / Opinion
‘Gubernatorial Privilege’ decision yet another barrier to transparency in Montana
By Addie Slanger, Published in the Daily Inter Lake on February 2, 2025 In its second decision of the new...
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January 21, 2025 / Opinion
The Jewels of the Montana Constitution
By Jon Ellingson, published in the Helena Independent Record, January 21, 2025 Last month the Montana Supreme Court issued two...
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January 21, 2025 / Opinion
Keep Montana Judicial Elections Non-Partisan
By Joel Krautter, Published in the Laurel Outlook on January 21. 2025. As the Montana Legislature meets again, a handful...
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A Constitution Unique to Montana and Uniquely Montanan
Essay by Constance Van Kley, an Assistant Professor at the Blewett School of Law at the University of Montana. January...
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March 30, 2023 / Opinion
VIEWPOINT: GOP, BUSINESS GROUPS STIFLING VOTERS’ VOICES
Evan Barrett March 30, 2023 In contravention of the Montana Constitution, the supermajority Republican legislature and a series of business...
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