This is what happened

by Susan Beer, Hamilton

In January 2021, the Montana legislature went into session with the state government firmly in the hands of the majority party. Legislation was passed and signed into law that:

• Restricted voting access by ending same day voter registration and requiring new voter ID requirements. These unfairly affect students and rule and indigenous peoples the most.(HB176, SB169)

• Repealed or altered laws previously approved by voters, and made it harder for Montanans to write Law through citizen initiatives.(HB176, HB273, HB701, HB651)

• Undercut local control. County health officials now have less authority to protect you and your neighbors during the ongoing Covid pandemic. (HB121, HB257, HB702). City governments no longer can establish inclusionary zoning – A way to assure affordable housing.(HB259)

• Cut taxes for the rich, cost in the state coffers $50 million per year, leaving the tax burden to fall on the working class. (SB159, SB399)

• Limited women’s right-to-privacy and reproductive rights. (HB136, HB140, HB167, HB171)

• Harmed LGBTQ youth. (HB112, SB280)

• Added cumbersome bureaucracy to Medicaid, which will result in tens of thousands of Montanans being kicked off with no savings to the state. (SB101)

• Gave Northwestern Energy a free pass to continue burning coal and gas with no repercussions if those business choices turn bad. Ratepayers will still be stuck with the bill. (SB379)

• Lowered water-quality standards. (HB358)

• Removed protections for wolves and other wildlife. (HB224)

What issues would YOU have liked to see the legislature address?

We’d like to see the legislature truly address local and state issues like:

Health care – Housing – Food insecurity – The climate crisis

Thank you to Gallatin County Democratic Party for sharing.