Lawmakers table public school health insurance trust bill
Austin Amestoy | Montana Public Radio
A finance committee in the Montana Legislature Friday voted down a bill that would incentivize public schools to join together in a trust to help bring down the cost of employee health insurance.
House Bill 332 was backed by a coalition of groups in support of public schools that said the bill would help districts stabilize health insurance premiums and take less from teachers’ paychecks.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House Appropriations Committee voted to table the bill, arguing that it didn’t contain enough protection for districts if premium costs spike after the trust forms and that districts in the trust might ask for more state funding support in the future.
State announces $1.5 million in food assistance money
John Hooks | Montana Public Radio
The Montana Department of Agriculture announced it is awarding close to $1.5 million to help supply more locally produced food to 10 food banks and community resource organizations across the state.
Funds for the award come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, which provides pandemic relief dollars to stock food banks with produce from suppliers within 400 miles of the delivery destination.
In a press release, the Montana Department of Agriculture said the funds would help more local food end up on Montanans’ plates.
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The Montana political world awaits UM president Seth Bodnar's decision about his future, and Republicans aren't waiting to put out an attack ad. Democratic Senate candidate Reilly Neill thinks a conspiracy is behind a possible Bodnar Senate run. And new candidates with no political experience continue to enter the congressional races. -
A state senator pleaded not guilty Thursday to an official misconduct charge over a no-bid contract he awarded to a longtime colleague in 2024. The case is now headed for a jury trial. -
One former, and two current state senators are challenging a new property tax policy in court. Around 80% of residential property owners saw tax relief last year under the policy. The lawsuit amplifies a fracture between Republican lawmakers. -
A massive plumbing failure at Montana's state prison revealed serious faults in the facility’s infrastructure. Despite recent state investments, putting money into prison projects can be a hard sell.
