Greg Gianforte

Today is legislative day 26 out of 90. And this week, we're talking about changes to the judicial branch, the budget surplus and tax proposals. This is The Session, a look at the politics and policy inside the Montana statehouse.

Montana political leaders want some answers about a Chinese spy balloon floating in the Big Sky. Senator Steve Daines is moving up the party leadership ladder. The Republican plan for allocating a billion dollars is headed to the Senate. And prominent Montanans lead a rally to support the state Constitution

Gov. Gianforte created the Red Tape Relief Task Force his second day in office back in 2020. Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras has led the group in poring over the state’s 15,000 regulations on the books looking for places to cut.

Sitting on a $2.5 billion surplus, Montana Republicans this week advanced a first round of their plan for tax cuts. That included part of the governor’s agenda, which he says was built for Montana families. Montana Public Radio’s Shaylee Ragar spoke with one Montana family about how the policies could impact their lives.

Gov. Gianforte delivers a State of the State Address that focuses on economic growth, but lawmakers are turning their attention to social issues. This week on The Session: the governor’s speech, debate over transgender rights and abortion, and why the state is asking for more money to defend laws in court.

Montana lawmakers are considering changes to how the state spends millions of dollars generated by marijuana sales on mental health and addiction treatments.

In his State of the State Address, Gov. Gianforte said Montana's economy is coming up roses, but Democrats found plenty of dandelions. And Flathead County commissioners have drawn widespread criticism for their views of the county's homeless population. Learn more now on Capitol Talk.

Gov. Greg Gianforte delivered his second State of the State Address Wednesday night in front of a joint session of the Montana Legislature. Montana Public Radio’s Shaylee Ragar, Ellis Juhlin and Corin Cates-Carney broke down the Governor’s remarks and Democrats' response.

Gov. Greg Gianforte will deliver his State of the State Address Wednesday night starting at 7 p.m. You can watch it live or listen on your radio or online.

Montana Democrats are proposing an immediate infusion of $20 million into the state’s behavioral health system, saying it's on the brink of collapse.