Latest news with #GregGianforte
Associated Press
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Montana budget includes new investments in tribal colleges, repatriation
Gov. Greg Gianforte last week finalized Montana's two-year budget, which contains several new investments for Indian Country, including a historic increase in funding for tribal colleges and money devoted to repatriation efforts. Though Gianforte made several vetoes in the last few weeks that trimmed hundreds of millions in spending approved by lawmakers, the money that will help fund priorities set by the Legislature's American Indian Caucus made it through the session that adjourned in April and survived the governor's scrutiny. Tribal Colleges Montana is the only state in the nation where every reservation is home to a tribal college. Tribal colleges, which together serve thousands of Native and non-Native students in Montana, provide affordable education, boost workforce development in rural areas and revitalize tribal languages and culture. Despite their outsized role in communities, however, the schools survive on meager budgets and are reimbursed at rates substantially lower than community colleges and historically Black colleges and universities. Tribal colleges receive, on average, between 71% and 74% of their total funding from the federal government, according to an American Council on Education report. The federal Bureau of Indian Education allocates money to tribal colleges based on the number of 'full-time enrolled Indian students.' And Montana is one of a few states that appropriates money to tribal colleges to support non-Native students, also called non-beneficiary students. The Legislature for years has allocated a maximum of $3,280 to tribal colleges per non-Native student. By comparison, lawmakers in 2019 funded full-time resident students at Montana's three community colleges at about twice the rate of non-beneficiary tribal college students. While past legislative attempts to raise that $3,280 non-beneficiary ceiling have failed, this year was different. Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, worked to add a line in House Bill 2, the state's budget bill, that increases state funding to tribal colleges. The addition raises the state's allocation for non-beneficiary students by about 27% to $4,183. The boost in state money comes as President Donald Trump's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal slashes federal funding for tribal colleges nationwide. Though the budget must ultimately be approved by Congress, Trump's proposal asks lawmakers to reduce federal funding for tribal colleges by nearly 90%. 'The federal funding (for tribal colleges) does not cover the non-Native students who attend, so it's up to the state to cover that cost,' Windy Boy told Montana Free Press in a recent interview. 'And there's a good number of non-Natives who attend.' About 20% of students at Fort Peck Community College in northeastern Montana are non-Native. FPCC President Craig Smith wrote in an April email to MTFP that it was 'refreshing' to see the Legislature increase those funds. In past years, he said non-beneficiary funds have supported faculty positions, classroom materials and equipment, among other things. 'While not quite at the equitable level of the Montana University System higher education institutions' funding levels, I think (the funding increase) shows solid validation of the role that tribal colleges play in the higher education scenario in Montana,' he wrote. Repatriation Efforts HB 2 also appropriates $367,665 to the University of Montana Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act team to support repatriation efforts. Congress in 1990 enacted the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, or NAGPRA, which establishes a process for tribes to request the return of Native American remains and cultural items from institutions that have them. More than 30 years later, however, not all institutions comply with the law. A ProPublica investigation revealed that the remains of more than 90,000 Native Americans had not been returned as of January 2025. While UM has made efforts to return remains and other items, the school reported still having the remains of at least 25 Native Americans, according to ProPublica's database. Windy Boy called NAGPRA 'an unfunded mandate.' The new, one-time-only funding, he said, is meant to assist UM's work, which is otherwise supported through grants. 'There was so much grave robbing … we've been pillaged and robbed for so many years,' Windy Boy said. 'Please just let our ancestors rest and let their funerary objects rest with them, that's why it's important.' Courtney Little Axe, repatriation coordinator at UM, said the funding will support a new team of NAGPRA tribal liaisons. Doctoral student Mikalen Running Fisher has been working in that capacity for more than one year, facilitating the return of meaningful items. 'What keeps me going in (this work) is thinking of the future generations,' she told MTFP last spring. With funding from HB 2, Little Axe said UM could hire eight NAGPRA student liaisons — one for each tribal government in the state. The investment, she said, will help students learn more about repatriation while strengthening UM's relationships with tribes. Kelly Dixon, a member of UM's NAGPRA team, said the group had been 'limping along' financially and is grateful for state support. 'It is not going to be easy to rectify all that has happened over the past century plus,' Dixon said. 'But we have a team and we have an institution and now a state that supports that.' ___ This story was originally published by Montana Free Press and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Montana official killed in devastating crash after plane strikes power lines and bursts into flames
A Montana official was killed in a devastating plane crash that caught fire after striking power lines, leaving a community in mourning. Yellowstone County Commissioner John Ostlund, 73, was the sole passenger in a fatal plane crash on Thursday afternoon. A preliminary investigation report from the Federal Aviation Administration cited the plane crashed 'under unknown circumstances,' but had flipped and caught fire after colliding with power lines. Ostlund was operating a 1969 Cessna 172, a single-engine aircraft that seats up to four people. The plane went down south of Billings, near the Wyoming border, on a grassy hill. Emergency services, including the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office, responded to the scene. Tributes have already flooded in for the local official, including Montana Governor Greg Gianforte. 'Susan and I join Yellowstone County in mourning the tragic loss of County Commissioner John Ostlund, who served his community for years. Please join us in praying for his loved ones during this difficult time,' Gianforte wrote on X. US Senator Steve Daines also paid tribute to Ostlund, writing, 'Very sad to hear of the passing of Yellowstone County Commissioner John Ostlund. 'A devoted public servant and true leader in Yellowstone County for decades, John will be deeply missed. Cindy and I send our prayers and deepest condolences to his loved ones.' Senator Tim Sheehy called Ostlund a 'great American with a heart of service,' adding that he'll be missed by his community. Ostlund began his decades-long career in 1972 as an employee in the road and bridge department, according to the Longview News Journal. He eventually worked his way up the ladder, becoming a foreman and later a superintendent before his retirement in 2002. The following year, he ran against incumbent Commissioner James Ziegler and won his first election. Ostlund had a long tenure in local Montana politics, serving as a county commissioner since 2003, and was instrumental in the renovation of the MetraPark arena. He also served as the president of the Montana Association of Counties from 2010 to 2011. The commissioner was remembered by his colleagues on both sides of the political aisle in the wake of his death. Even though Ostlund was a staunch conservative, Democrat City Councilman Bill Kennedy told Longview News Journal that they could always find a compromise. 'We had our disputes, but we all looked out for what was best for the county. And that's the way it should be,' Kennedy said. Aaron Flint from Montana Talks said Ostlund was a fierce supporter of his county, adding, 'When everyone was getting nervous before the 2024 elections about what would happen, John Ostlund just smiled under his cowboy hat and told us how our country was gonna do great.' Kennedy added that Ostlund's career as commissioner was 'exceptional' and he was a calm leader during disasters. Billings' other commissioner, Mark Morse, remembered his peer as a 'great guy' with a 'bank of knowledge.' Morse and Commissioner Mike Waters are now tasked with appointing a replacement for Ostlund until the November election. The County Commissioner is survived by his wife, Kristie, their five children, and grandchildren.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Around the West, politicians are writing more bills than ever
Who knew there were this many things that had to be fixed? The legislative sessions in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Washington are over. Depending on your political perspective, the benefits — or damages — will be felt for years to come. One thing that isn't in dispute? Lawmakers couldn't help but introduce a record number of bills in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Washington may also be added to that list, depending on what happens in the second part of its biennium. In Idaho, lawmakers introduced nearly 800 pieces of legislation — the highest mark going back at least 16 years. Less than 50% of the legislation actually made it across the finish line. Higher numbers are expected in Idaho, as lawmakers now individually introduce and approve every state department budget, rather than just one large state budget. Still, the numbers are staggering, not only for lawmakers who work at the state capitol, but also for citizens who try to follow the session and be involved in the process. Making it more challenging in Idaho is the sometimes minimal lack of notice regarding hearings for bills that have been introduced. We've recommended that lawmakers commit to a Rule of Three to allow citizens more time to be engaged. In Montana, lawmakers also hit a record of 1,761 bills introduced, with a little more than half being signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte. Montana's joint Rule 40-40 'allows members of the Montana Legislature to request an unlimited number of bill or resolution drafts before December 5. After that date, a member may request the Legislative Council to prepare no more than seven bills or resolutions. Unused requests by one member may be granted to another member. The limits do not apply to code commissioner bills or committee bills.' In Wyoming, which divides sessions among general session years and budget years, lawmakers also hit a record of 556 bills introduced. But only 31% became law. Washington state lawmakers were by far the least productive, passing only 19.5% of the more than 2,000 bills they introduced. And they're not done yet, as Washington works on a biennium and lawmakers will return next January to continue increasing the number. Passing legislation certainly isn't a contest. And this column is in no way an encouragement to increase the across-the-finish-line percentages. But it is worth pointing out that introducing legislation takes time and resources - resources that are provided by taxpayers (so perhaps a new state rock shouldn't be high on a lawmaker's list). More bill introductions also make tracking your elected official's work more difficult. Some states, including Arizona, California, New Jersey, Colorado, North Carolina, Florida, North Dakota, Indiana, Louisiana and Montana have sought to restrict how many bills a legislator can introduce each session. Do all states need a rule that limits a lawmaker's appetite for more and more legislation? Maybe. But we'd rather see a self-imposed diet. Chris Cargill is the president of Mountain States Policy Center, an independent free market think tank based in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and eastern Washington. Online at
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Western states like Idaho are drowning in legislation
Members of the Idaho Senate work from the Senate floor on the morning of March 10, 2025, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Who knew there were this many things that had to be fixed? The legislative sessions in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Washington are over. Depending on your political perspective, the benefits — or damages — will be felt for years to come. One thing that isn't in dispute? Lawmakers couldn't help but introduce a record number of bills in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Washington may also be added to that list, depending on what happens in the second part of its biennium. More pieces of legislation were prepared for Idaho's 2025 session than in the last 30 years In Idaho, lawmakers introduced nearly 800 pieces of legislation — the highest mark going back at least 16 years. Less than 50% of the legislation actually made it across the finish line. Higher numbers are expected in Idaho, as lawmakers now individually introduce and approve every state department budget, rather than just one large state budget. Still, the numbers are staggering, not only for lawmakers who work at the state capitol, but also for citizens who try to follow the session and be involved in the process. Making it more challenging in Idaho is the sometimes minimal lack of notice regarding hearings for bills that have been introduced. We've recommended that lawmakers commit to a Rule of Three to allow citizens more time to be engaged. In Montana, lawmakers also hit a record of 1,761 bills introduced, with a little more than half being signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte. Montana's joint Rule 40-40 'allows members of the Montana Legislature to request an unlimited number of bill or resolution drafts before December 5. After that date, a member may request the Legislative Council to prepare no more than seven bills or resolutions. Unused requests by one member may be granted to another member. The limits do not apply to code commissioner bills or committee bills.' In Wyoming, which divides sessions among general session years and budget years, lawmakers also hit a record of 556 bills introduced. But only 31% became law. Washington state lawmakers were by far the least productive, passing only 19.5% of the more than 2,000 bills they introduced. And they're not done yet, as Washington works on a biennium and lawmakers will return next January to continue increasing the number. Passing legislation certainly isn't a contest. And this column is in no way an encouragement to increase the across-the-finish-line percentages. But it is worth pointing out that introducing legislation takes time and resources — resources that are provided by taxpayers (so perhaps a new state rock shouldn't be high on a lawmaker's list). More bill introductions also make tracking your elected official's work more difficult. Some states, including Arizona, California, New Jersey, Colorado, North Carolina, Florida, North Dakota, Indiana, Louisiana and Montana have sought to restrict how many bills a legislator can introduce each session. Do all states need a rule that limits a lawmaker's appetite for more and more legislation? Maybe. But we'd rather see a self-imposed diet. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Missoula recognizes pride flag as an official city symbol
Missoula, Mont., recognized the pride flag as an official city flag during a Monday City Council meeting. The 9-2 vote by the western Montana City Council came in the wake of Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signing a bill last month banning the display of flags or banners except some specific ones like the U.S. flag and 'the official flag of the state of Montana, or any county, municipality, special district, or other political subdivision within the state.' 'HB 819 picked sides,' council member Mike Nugent said during the meeting, referencing the flag and banner bill. 'So, we can't just sit here and act like, 'Oh now, let's stay neutral.' Because HB 819 targets specific people while making other people winners.' The vote also took place during Pride Month, a time each year when members of the LGBTQ community celebrate their identities. Gianforte slammed the council's decision on Tuesday, saying in a thread on the social platform X that 'nine members of the Missoula City Council made clear their top priority is flying a divisive pride flag over government buildings and schools.' 'Missoulians deserve better, and fortunately, two council members voted against imposing this divisive, far-left agenda on their community,' the Montana governor said later in the thread. The transgender community has been increasingly targeted by the American right in recent years on the federal and state level. Shortly after returning to office in January, President Trump signed an executive order recognizing male and female as the only two sexes and directing federal agencies to halt promotion of the concept of gender transition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
