Arren Kimbel-Sannit
![Montana firm connected to controversial review of Arizona election results](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/06/audit-0427-pool-laptop-1536x1118-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana firm connected to controversial review of Arizona election results
Observers of a Legislature-sponsored review and recount of election results in Arizona’s largest county alleged last week that “copies of voting system data” were sent to an unnamed lab in Montana with little explanation.
![Tester touts ARPA relief funds as state readies distribution and spending](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/05/Tester.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Tester touts ARPA relief funds as state readies distribution and spending
Thanks to funds for local governments contained in ARPA, Missoula County will receive around $21 million and the city around $13 million. Other cities and counties around Montana are also poised to receive funds.
![Gianforte names ARPA steering groups as lawmakers parse through federal guidance](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2020/11/higgins.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Gianforte names ARPA steering groups as lawmakers parse through federal guidance
A series of commissions formed to direct how Montana spends billions in federal COVID-19 aid dollars as part of the American Rescue Plan Act are beginning to kick into gear.
![Digital divide: Gianforte signs $275 million broadband expansion bill](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/05/2280875-fibre-broadband-strands-image.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Digital divide: Gianforte signs $275 million broadband expansion bill
Gov. Greg Gianforte signed an ambitious, federally funded broadband expansion package Tuesday, enacting a $275 million investment with pledges to close Montana’s digital divide and shake its slump as one of the least connected states in the country.
![Montana SupCo rejects motion to disqualify all justices ruling on subpoena](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/05/supreme-court.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana SupCo rejects motion to disqualify all justices ruling on subpoena
The state Supreme Court Wednesday rejected a motion from the Legislature for a blanket disqualification of all Justices sitting on a case over the scope and authority of lawmakers’ subpoena power.
![Court rejects motion to challenge additional bills as part of SB140 case](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/05/court.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Court rejects motion to challenge additional bills as part of SB140 case
Instead of abolishing the nominating commission and giving sole appointment authority to the governor, as in SB140, SB402 would instead expand the commission, which assembles applicants for judicial vacancies, to include more governor-appointed laypeople.
![Gianforte signs bill banning inclusionary zoning as affordable housing tool](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2019/11/Housing-scaled.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Gianforte signs bill banning inclusionary zoning as affordable housing tool
The cities of Bozeman and Whitefish will have to stop enforcing inclusionary zoning ordinances meant to increase the supply of affordable housing after Gov. Greg Gianforte signed legislation this week outlawing the practice.
![Montana House votes down portion of transgender sports bill despite funding](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2019/06/Pride-2-scaled.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana House votes down portion of transgender sports bill despite funding
The state House on Monday voted not to concur with amendments from the Senate to legislation restricting the ability of transgender students to participate in school sports that would have protected Montana’s federal education funding if the bill became law.
![Montana’s $12.6B state budget gets Senate approval on 34-16 vote](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/11/Montana-Senate.png?w=980&q=75)
Montana’s $12.6B state budget gets Senate approval on 34-16 vote
Lawmakers passed the spending package with opposition from some Democrats and Republicans who either argued that the budget didn’t do enough to support Montanans or that it’s 3.6% growth since 2021 would prop up a creeping, bloated government, respectively.
![Montana’s flagship pot bill rescued from brink after GOP dissent](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2020/12/marijuana-sales.png?w=980&q=75)
Montana’s flagship pot bill rescued from brink after GOP dissent
Some just don’t like marijuana, or are sensitive about adult use due to the rocky rollout of medical marijuana many years before. Some, echoing a concern among Democrats, worried about the speed of the process.