Article Archives: News

Sen. Ripley: Obama’s anti-coal agenda won’t affect Montana climate

February 11, 2016NewsMontana Legislature, Rick RipleyMRLCC

Barack Obama’s Department of Interior recently announced a moratorium on federal coal leases, and few states will be hit harder than Montana. Not only is our state home to more than one-third of all coal reserves in the United States, but about half of the coal production in our state happens on federal land. Halting … Continue reading Sen. Ripley: Obama’s anti-coal agenda won’t affect Montana climate →

Judge in corruption lawsuit wife of lieutenant governor

February 1, 2016NewsMontana LegislatureMRLCC

Helena District Judge DeeAnn Cooney has only been on the bench since Jan. 1, but already she’s presiding over one of the most high-profile political corruption cases the state has seen in decades. On one side of the long-running litigation is Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl, the state’s top political watchdog and campaign ethics … Continue reading Judge in corruption lawsuit wife of lieutenant governor →

Montana lawmakers ask Washington state for time on Colstrip

January 23, 2016NewsMontana LegislatureMRLCC

HELENA — A delegation of Montana lawmakers made their pitch to their counterparts in Washington state to save the coal-fired Colstrip power plant — or at least give them time to plan for a partial shutdown. A bill before the Washington Legislature would authorize Colstrip’s largest owner, Puget Sound Energy, to file a plan to … Continue reading Montana lawmakers ask Washington state for time on Colstrip →

Montana election season gets underway with candidate filing

January 19, 2016NewsAustin Knudsen, Montana LegislatureMRLCC

HELENA – The 2016 election season officially started Thursday – the first day Montanans could register as candidates for dozens of top state posts, ranging from governor and chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court to legislators and district judges. In total, 124 people formalized their candidacy on the unofficial holiday for Montana pols, Secretary of … Continue reading Montana election season gets underway with candidate filing →

Speaker Knudsen Files for Reelection

January 14, 2016NewsAustin Knudsen, Montana LegislatureMRLCC

(Culbertson, MT) – On Thursday Republican Speaker of the House Austin Knudsen filed for reelection to House District 34. “It has been an honor to represent the people of Northeastern Montana for the past six years, “said Knudsen. “I look forward to the upcoming campaign, to talking to folks about the great things we’ve accomplished … Continue reading Speaker Knudsen Files for Reelection →

Former Rep Derek Skees to run for HD 11

January 14, 2016NewsDerek Skees, Montana LegislatureMRLCC

Former HD4 Representative Derek Skees has announced his Republican candidacy for the HD 11 race in 2016. A general contractor in the Flathead, Derek understands how government policies can directly affect families and businesses in Montana. Derek rallied against Obamacare during his Legislative tenure in 2011, drafting bills that called for a rejection of Obamacare … Continue reading Former Rep Derek Skees to run for HD 11 →