Legislative audits

There is a huge secret lurking in the capitol building in Helena. No, it has nothing to do with this election cycle, and there are no ghosts from the past.
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Improvements needed with state CPS program

The Department of Health & Human Services, the largest state agency, has a budget of almost $4 billion. DPHHS is in charge of everything from welfare programs to Child Protective Services. Last fall’s audit of CPS did not paint a rosy picture and pointed out several standards which needed implementing …
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

State audit worrisome

The financial audit for the State of Montana revealed some disturbing problems in front of the Legislative Audit Committee in Helena.
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

The underground raw milk railroad

I used to read a book about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad to my fifth graders. It was a strange concept for them at the beginning of the book since kids think of a railroad as a set of tracks with a train running on the metal rails.
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

The underground raw milk railroad

I used to read a book about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad to my fifth graders. It was a strange concept for them at the beginning of the book since kids think of a railroad as a set of tracks with a train running on the metal rails.
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Changes in cottage food laws help small producers

Articles in the paper and various Facebook posts show the growing interest in farmers markets locally and across the state. Sellers have been preparing special potions and crafts during the long winter while growers are planning their gardens to showcase seasonal fruits and vegetables for eventual buyers.
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO

Legislature looking at farmers market bills

Articles in the paper and various Facebook posts show the growing interest in farmers markets locally and across the state. Sellers have been preparing special potions and crafts during the long winter, while growers are planning their gardens to showcase seasonal fruits and vegetables for eventual buyers.
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS AGO

Legislature looking at farmers market bills

Articles in the paper and various Facebook posts show the growing interest in farmers markets locally and across the state. Sellers have been preparing special potions and crafts during the long winter, while growers are planning their gardens to showcase seasonal fruits and vegetables for eventual buyers.
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 10 YEARS AGO

Rolling coal and crowdfunding

I remember when teens would drag race their souped up cars on the quarter mile markers up the North Fork Road or on Aluminum Drive toward CFAC. Most of the cars were Ford Mustangs, Dodge Chargers, or Chevy Camaros.
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 10 YEARS AGO

Rolling coal and crowdfunding

I remember when teens would drag race their souped up cars on the quarter mile markers up the North Fork Road or on Aluminum Drive toward the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant. Most of the cars were Ford Mustangs, Dodge Chargers or Chevy Camaros. Ask anyone who grew up in …
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS AGO

Rolling coal and crowdfunding

I remember when teens would drag race their souped up cars on the quarter mile markers up the North Fork Road or on Aluminum Drive toward the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant. Most of the cars were Ford Mustangs, Dodge Chargers or Chevy Camaros. Ask anyone who grew up in …
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 10 YEARS AGO

Political practices, bed tax and de-icer bills

Transmittal break allowed me to recover from a terrible head cold and cleared the way for the last half of working for you during the legislative session. Experience teaches us that the 50-0 votes from the first half will soon be over as we discuss the meat of the budget …
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Political practices, bed tax and de-icer bills

Transmittal break allowed me to recover from a terrible head cold and cleared the way for the last half of working for you during the legislative session. Experience teaches us that the 50-0 votes from the first half will soon be over as we discuss the meat of the budget …
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Bill aimed at cutting back on road salt

The two types of Flathead winter days most enjoyable to me are those 20 below zero and blue sky days. The majority of you would agree on the blue sky description, but you may be scratching your head on the below zero comment.
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Bill aimed at cutting back on road salt

The two types of Flathead winter days most enjoyable to me are those 20 below zero and blue sky days. The majority of you would agree on the blue sky description, but you may be scratching your head on the below zero comment.
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

While the sausage grinds in Helena

The legislature is one-third done with their business. Many bills have been tabled in committee with many good ones advancing through the process. Some you may want to watch at the www.leg.mt.gov site include:
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

While the sausage grinds in Helena

The legislature is one-third done with their business. Many bills have been tabled in committee with many good ones advancing through the process. Some you may want to watch at the www.leg.mt.gov site include:
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Montana legislative audit finds 'slush fund'

Does your employer pay your hourly rate to go to the gym for three hours a week as part of your job? No, I didn’t think so. This is now happening at the Department of Military Affairs and was discovered during our most recent legislative audit.
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Montana legislative audit finds 'slush fund'

Does your employer pay your hourly rate to go to the gym for three hours a week as part of your job? No, I didn’t think so. This is now happening at the Department of Military Affairs and was discovered during our most recent legislative audit.
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Stoltze brings best management practices to the forest

It was hard to finish the rant by Keith Hammer in the local papers recently about the F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. logging in the South Fork drainage.
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Stoltze brings best management practices to the forest

It was hard to finish the rant by Keith Hammer in the local papers recently about the F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. logging in the South Fork drainage.
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Panel studies needs of Montana veterans

Last week, the Montana Administration and Veterans Affairs Interim Committee (SAVA) held a panel discussion about veteran needs across the state.
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

State panel looks at veterans needs

Last week, the Montana Administration and Veterans Affairs Interim Committee (SAVA) held a panel discussion about veteran needs across the state.
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

State panel looks at veterans needs

Last week, the Montana Administration and Veterans Affairs Interim Committee (SAVA) held a panel discussion about veteran needs across the state.
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Audit shows universities are not following the law

Many Montanans don’t know that nonresident students subsidize the cost of our own children going to college. Legislators recognized this and wrote laws allowing the university system to waive nonresident tuition up to 2 percent of the previous year’s full-time enrollment numbers. University officials call this “tuition discounting” and know …
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Audit shows universities are not following the law

Many Montanans don’t know that nonresident students subsidize the cost of our own children going to college. Legislators recognized this and wrote laws allowing the university system to waive nonresident tuition up to 2 percent of the previous year’s full-time enrollment numbers. University officials call this “tuition discounting” and know …
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Conundrum of block management plan

Legislators hear monthly about Fish, Wildlife and Parks matters from constituents. Last month’s audit of the Block Management program highlighted some needed changes.
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Audit reveals problems with block management hunting

Legislators hear monthly about Fish, Wildlife and Parks matters from constituents. The recent audit of the block management program highlighted some needed changes. This program allows public hunting access on private land through a mutual agreement with FWP. The landowners are called cooperators in the agreement, while the properties are …
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Audit reveals problems with block management hunting

Legislators hear monthly about Fish, Wildlife and Parks matters from constituents. The recent audit of the block management program highlighted some needed changes. This program allows public hunting access on private land through a mutual agreement with FWP. The landowners are called cooperators in the agreement, while the properties are …
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Summer update from Sen. Brown

While most of the state’s population is enjoying the sunny weather and finding a cool place to put their feet up, many legislators are still attending meetings. The interim committees have been formed to do the people’s work while out of the regular session.
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Summer update from Sen. Brown

While most of the state’s population is enjoying the sunny weather and finding a cool place to put their feet up, many legislators are still attending meetings. The interim committees have been formed to do the people’s work while out of the regular session.
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Summer update from Sen. Brown

While most of the state’s population is enjoying the sunny weather and finding a cool place to put their feet up, many legislators are still attending meetings. The interim committees have been formed to do the people’s work while out of the regular session.
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Taking back the dinner table

The 2013 session was the one which took small steps to take our food supply back and loosen the government control at our dinner tables. Backyard gardens and the value of fresh products are touted on bumper stickers across this state: Who’s your farmer?
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Taking back the dinner table

The 2013 session was the one which took small steps to take our food supply back and loosen the government control at our dinner tables. Backyard gardens and the value of fresh products are touted on bumper stickers across this state: Who’s your farmer?
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Taking back the dinner table

The 2013 session was the one which took small steps to take our food supply back and loosen the government control at our dinner tables. Backyard gardens and the value of fresh products are touted on bumper stickers across this state: Who’s your farmer?
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Farmers market bills passed in legislature

The 2013 session was the one which took small steps to take our food supply back and loosen the government control at our dinner tables. Backyard gardens and the value of fresh products are touted on bumper stickers across this state: Who’s your farmer?
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Farmers market bills passed in legislature

The 2013 session was the one which took small steps to take our food supply back and loosen the government control at our dinner tables. Backyard gardens and the value of fresh products are touted on bumper stickers across this state: Who’s your farmer?
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Farmers market bills passed in legislature

The 2013 session was the one which took small steps to take our food supply back and loosen the government control at our dinner tables. Backyard gardens and the value of fresh products are touted on bumper stickers across this state: Who’s your farmer?
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

A wild day in the Senate

Being part of Montana history in the Senate certainly wasn’t on my radar screen when running for office a year ago.
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 12 YEARS AGO

A wild day in the Senate

Being part of Montana history in the Senate certainly wasn’t on my radar screen when running for office a year ago.
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 12 YEARS AGO

A wild day in the Senate

Being part of Montana history in the Senate certainly wasn’t on my radar screen when running for office a year ago.
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 12 YEARS AGO

History in the making in Montana Senate chambers

Being part of Montana history in the Senate certainly wasn’t on my radar screen when running for office a year ago.
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 12 YEARS AGO

History in the making in Montana Senate chambers

Being part of Montana history in the Senate certainly wasn’t on my radar screen when running for office a year ago.
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 12 YEARS AGO

History in the making in Montana Senate chambers

Being part of Montana history in the Senate certainly wasn’t on my radar screen when running for office a year ago.
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 12 YEARS AGO

High rollers in the senior centers across the state?

Bills affecting our constituents are often brought before legislative committees during the session. This week’s no-brainer bill came before us in the Senate Business, Labor & Economic Affairs Committee.
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

High rollers in the senior centers across the state?

Bills affecting our constituents are often brought before legislative committees during the session. This week’s no-brainer bill came before us in the Senate Business, Labor & Economic Affairs Committee.
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

High rollers in the senior centers across the state?

Bills affecting our constituents are often brought before legislative committees during the session. This week’s no-brainer bill came before us in the Senate Business, Labor & Economic Affairs Committee.
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Legislature looking at Obamacare implementation

The legislators are learning an entirely new language this session, which is the result of the Affordable Care Act coming from the feds. President Obama’s platform on who should be in the pool, who shouldn’t and what it will look like when delivered to the citizens is starting to grow …
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Legislature looking at Obamacare implementation

The legislators are learning an entirely new language this session, which is the result of the Affordable Care Act coming from the feds. President Obama’s platform on who should be in the pool, who shouldn’t and what it will look like when delivered to the citizens is starting to grow …
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Legislature looking at Obamacare implementation

The legislators are learning an entirely new language this session, which is the result of the Affordable Care Act coming from the feds. President Obama’s platform on who should be in the pool, who shouldn’t and what it will look like when delivered to the citizens is starting to grow …
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Some important bills in the legislature

Hearings in committees are ramping up with changes recommended to almost every law book in Montana. Some of them heard this week include:
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Some important bills in the legislature

Hearings in committees are ramping up with changes recommended to almost every law book in Montana. Some of them heard this week include:
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Some important bills in the legislature

Hearings in committees are ramping up with changes recommended to almost every law book in Montana. Some of them heard this week include:
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Proposed bill allows food trading

This week Senate Bill 94 will have a hearing in the Senate Ag Committee. It will allow high acid foods and dried fruits and vegetables to be exchanged with others on a free will basis. I have also included home brew in the bill since this growing hobby has become …
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Proposed bill allows food trading

This week Senate Bill 94 will have a hearing in the Senate Ag Committee. It will allow high acid foods and dried fruits and vegetables to be exchanged with others on a free will basis. I have also included home brew in the bill since this growing hobby has become …
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Proposed bill allows food trading

This week Senate Bill 94 will have a hearing in the Senate Ag Committee. It will allow high acid foods and dried fruits and vegetables to be exchanged with others on a free will basis. I have also included home brew in the bill since this growing hobby has become …
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Home canning and brewing bill introduced

This week, Senate Bill 94 will have a hearing in the Senate Agriculture Committee. It will allow high acid foods and dried fruits and vegetables to be exchanged with others on a free will basis. I have also included home brew in the bill since this growing hobby has become …
WHITEFISH PILOT | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Home canning and brewing bill introduced

This week, Senate Bill 94 will have a hearing in the Senate Agriculture Committee. It will allow high acid foods and dried fruits and vegetables to be exchanged with others on a free will basis. I have also included home brew in the bill since this growing hobby has become …
BIGFORK EAGLE | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Home canning and brewing bill introduced

This week, Senate Bill 94 will have a hearing in the Senate Agriculture Committee. It will allow high acid foods and dried fruits and vegetables to be exchanged with others on a free will basis. I have also included home brew in the bill since this growing hobby has become …
HUNGRY HORSE NEWS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO