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
Panel: 1972 Montana Constitution ‘hard fought,’ ‘inspiring’
Even after the Montana Constitution guaranteed people the “right to know,” reporter Charles S. Johnson had to eavesdrop on at least one secret meeting by listening to legislators through pipes that carried sound in an old building.
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Opinion
May 2, 2022 / Opinion
Montana’s Constitutional Declaration of Rights: For the Ages
Fifty years ago, I was unbelievably blessed to be the research staff for the Declaration of Rights Committee of the Montana Constitutional Convention.
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April 25, 2022 / Opinion
Montana Constitution applies to all Montanans (including the governor)
In the many years I had the privilege of teaching Montana history, one of my absolute favorite chapters was on the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention.
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April 15, 2022 / Opinion
Gianforte betrays his constitutional and public trust responsibilities
Montanans were justifiably shocked when the news broke last week that Gov. Greg Gianforte stopped the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks from enforcing its instream flow water rights on the nationally famous Smith River as well as the Shields River.
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March 10, 2022 / Opinion
Montana begins its ‘Constitutional Celebrate’ as document celebrates 50th anniversary
Fifty years ago, in 1972, 100 Montana citizens gathered and wrote the state’s new Constitution. Of those 100 giants of Montana history, only 12 are still with us.
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March 10, 2022 / Opinion
Montana’s last, best document
I have been a journalist in seven states, including my home state of Montana. And I am not sure that in those other six states many residents were aware that there was a state constitution.
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