Daily Montanan
![Republicans look to ‘tax’ Montana nonprofits](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2019/11/habitat-for-humanity.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Republicans look to ‘tax’ Montana nonprofits
The fees would be levied on nonprofit churches, educational facilities, health care facilities, public museums, art galleries, zoos, facilities to care for people with disabilities and mental illness, athletic fields, low-income housing and more, according to the bill.
![Bill to make nonpartisan races partisan draws opposition](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/11/attachment-Elections.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Bill to make nonpartisan races partisan draws opposition
Montana is considering allowing candidates in nonpartisan races to appear on the ballot with their political party affiliation as part of Senate Bill 200.
![No raise for you: GOP tables bill to increase Montana minimum wage](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2019/09/dollars.jpg?w=980&q=75)
No raise for you: GOP tables bill to increase Montana minimum wage
The Montana Chamber of Commerce and the Montana Restaurant Association told lawmakers the increase was a bad idea. Tabling the bill leaves the state minimum wage at $9.95 an hour.
![Montana legislative committee tables bill unions opposed; lawmaker said he was threatened](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/03/montana-capitol-1.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
Montana legislative committee tables bill unions opposed; lawmaker said he was threatened
Rep. Gary Parry, R-Colstrip, voted with a committee majority to table a bill that tried to revise labor laws despite, he said, being threatened with retaliation if he failed to support it.
![Without immigration courts, Montana tough for immigrants to build new life](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2016/03/Refugees1-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Without immigration courts, Montana tough for immigrants to build new life
Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, and Denver are common immigration court assignments for Montana residents.
![Chinese spy balloon over Montana as state moves to thwart foreign foes](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/02/attachment-china-spy-balloon.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Chinese spy balloon over Montana as state moves to thwart foreign foes
A Chinese surveillance balloon was detected above Billings within days of a hearing on a bill to prevent foreign adversaries from buying up agricultural land in Montana.
![Montana resolution seeking Article V Convention tabled in split Senate vote](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/02/attachment-Legislature.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Montana resolution seeking Article V Convention tabled in split Senate vote
A resolution that would make Montana the 20th state to request an Article V Convention to amend the U.S. Constitution is likely dead after it failed on its third reading in the Senate.
![Legislature dictates more local issues, this time on energy sources](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/10/attachment-Natural-Gas.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Legislature dictates more local issues, this time on energy sources
Republican lawmakers in Montana want to preemptively stop any local governments from banning various energy sources amid a national conversation about gas stove bans.
![Bill would give majority party more power on Montana interim committees](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/01/attachment-Legislature2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Bill would give majority party more power on Montana interim committees
Republicans in the Montana Legislature – where they currently hold a supermajority – want to change the makeup of interim legislative committees so the majority party has more power, which they say would simply reflect the will of voters.
![Billionaire-backed Freedom Foundation launches in Montana](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/01/attachment-IMG-4783-1024x768.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Billionaire-backed Freedom Foundation launches in Montana
The billionaire-backed Freedom Foundation has set foot in Montana with its goal to dismantle unions and fight bosses who have “ripped off workers.”