Llew Jones

Montana lawmakers have struck a deal to restructure property tax rates. The session-long debate resulted in a final product that combines several concepts from Republicans and Democrats.

A proposal to squirrel away nearly a billion dollars in state funds over the next few years is advancing along tight margins in the Legislature.

A bill’s price tag can make or break its chances at the Legislature. The governor’s budget office is tasked with calculating projected costs for legislation. Some lawmakers worry that process opens the door for partisanship, and they're considering alternatives.

Public education policymakers say hundreds of Montana school districts are eagerly lining up for state funding that would increase teacher pay.

Legislators have voted forward bills on property tax relief, Medicaid expansion, judicial oversight and more.

Confusion reigns at colleges like the University of Montana as they struggle to interpret presidential executive orders to erase diversity, equity and inclusion. The Montana Republican party's split continues to play out publicly. And several bills to cut your property taxes are moving toward a climax.

Debate over how to lower property taxes is revealing political divides at the Montana Legislature. GOP lawmakers have been hesitant to move forward Gov. Greg Gianforte’s key policy.

Montana lawmakers advanced a high-profile property tax proposal backed by the governor. It’s now tied to Democrats’ favored proposal to address rising tax bills for lower-income households.

Policymakers are determined to rebalance Montana’s property tax system after bills spiked last year. But who should pick up the slack if some Montanan’s taxes are cut? The governor is narrowly focused on two proposals. But lawmakers aren’t sold on the right approach yet.

One of the Montana Legislature’s blockbuster proposals to boost school funding received universal, bipartisan acclaim during its debut hearing this week.