Many of the issues that we discuss at the legislature can seem distant and complicated to the average Montanan. Hunting is not one of those issues. This session, I am sponsoring Senate Bill 270, which brings more science into our state’s tag system for elk hunting. The bill both protects elk in areas where populations … Continue reading Senate Bill 270 Brings Science to Elk Tag System →

In Montana, the following statement rings true now more than ever: “Whiskey is for drinking, and water is for fighting.” Although the quote is often misattributed to Mark Twain, the adage’s creator was highlighting a perennial issue in governance out west – water rights. In 2025, exempt wells are in the spotlight. For those unfamiliar, … Continue reading Water’s for fightin’ but senate bill delivers compromise →

In our minds, Montana is already the greatest state in the nation. However, our state will be even greater by the end of the 2025 legislative session. At the halfway point of the session, the Senate is working harder than ever to move critical legislation across the finish line and keep Montana the Last Best … Continue reading Senate Busy Making Montana Great as 2025 Session Reaches Halfway Point →

Property tax relief is a top priority for Senate Republicans this legislative session. I’m sponsoring one such bill, SB 2, which reforms how tax increment financing (TIF) districts sunset – if they ever do – in order to lower property taxes for all local taxpayers. Essentially, the bill rewards taxpayers who contribute to economic development … Continue reading Tax Increment Financing Reform Would Deliver Property Tax Relief to Montanans →

In recent opinion pieces, Evan Barrett, a longtime Democratic consultant, and Mike Jopek, a former Democratic legislator, have repeatedly provided their “simple solution” to our high property taxes in Montana: just lower the residential property tax rate to 0.76%. If it truly was that simple, both Democrat and Republican legislators would have already done it. … Continue reading There Is No “Simple” Solution To Property Taxes →

Senate President Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, has taken a stand against what he describes as an unconstitutional directive from Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath. On Tuesday, Ellsworth sent formal letters to both McGrath and Judicial Standards Commission (JSC) Chair Judge Mike Menahan, contesting the Chief Justice’s recent edict. Both McGrath and Menahan previously served … Continue reading Senate President Pushes Back On Chief Justice →