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Montana politics, elections and legislative news

'Capitol Talk' Recaps This Week At The Montana Legislature

Chuck Johnson, Sally Mauk and Mike Dennison
Eliza Wiley

This week on "Capitol Talk", tax cut bills are getting a lot of attention at the Montana Legislature this session. One legislator, Nicholas Schwaderer of Superior, introduced a bill that would put income tax cuts up to a vote via referendum. The bill drew bipartisan opposition during its hearing in the House. Schwaderer defended the bill saying, "taxation of income is theft."

Tax cuts could face vetoes from Gov. Bullock, who is intent on keeping at least a $300 million surplus.

The Flathead Water Compact was introduced in the Senate this week, and the bill is being carried by Republican Chas Vincent who opposed the compact last session.

While Gov. Bullock and Sen. Ankney hope the "Disclose Montana" act will shine some light on 'dark money' in campaigns, the dark money group Americans for Prosperity has begun targeting Montana Republicans who refuse to sign a pledge opposing Medicaid expansion.

A bill to allow concealed weapons on campus has passed the Senate. Gov. Bullock vetoed a similar bill last session.

"Capitol Talk," our weekly legislative news and analysis program, appears on Fridays throughout the legislative session. MTPR's Sally Mauk is joined by Lee Newspapers reporters Chuck Johnson and Mike Dennison.

Retired in 2014 but still a presence at MTPR, Sally Mauk is a University of Kansas graduate and former wilderness ranger who has reported on everything from the Legislature to forest fires.
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