Politics

Attack ads: Judge strikes down part of Montana’s ‘clean campaign’ law

By Mike Dennison/MTN NewsJanuary 19, 2022

January 19, 2022 By Missoula Current

HELENA — A federal judge Tuesday struck down a portion of Montana’s “clean campaign act,” saying it’s an unconstitutional burden on free speech to require political committees to notify candidates about last-minute attack campaign material. U.S. District Judge Don Molloy of Missoula said the so-called “fair notice” requirement, which applies only to material distributed … [Read more...] about Attack ads: Judge strikes down part of Montana’s ‘clean campaign’ law

Flag censorship case tests limits of viewpoint discrimination

By Thomas HarrisonJanuary 18, 2022

January 18, 2022 By Missoula Current

BOSTON (CN) — Framed by a national debate on censorship of controversial viewpoints, the Supreme Court struggled at oral arguments Tuesday on where to draw the line for private speech in public spaces that the government finds inappropriate or offensive. The case stems from three 83-foot-tall flagpoles outside Boston’s City Hall where the U.S. flag and the state flag are … [Read more...] about Flag censorship case tests limits of viewpoint discrimination

Lawsuit seeks halt on signature gathering for property tax cap initiative

By Eric Dietrich (MTFP)January 14, 2022

January 14, 2022 By Missoula Current

The backers of a constitutional initiative that would cap property tax increases on Montana homeowners have been cleared by Montana’s secretary of state to start gathering the signatures they need to have the initiative placed on the 2022 ballot. However, a lawsuit filed Wednesday by the Montana Federation of Public Employees, Montana Farmers Union and other plaintiffs … [Read more...] about Lawsuit seeks halt on signature gathering for property tax cap initiative

Tester, Daines comment on Supreme Court vaccine mandate rulings

By David Jay (MTN News)January 14, 2022

January 14, 2022 By Missoula Current

BILLINGS — The U.S. Supreme Court voted 6-3 in a much-anticipated ruling to block the Biden Administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for large employers, but decided to allow the rule for health care workers at facilities receiving federal funding. The Supreme Court sided with the OSHA ruling in that Department of Labor Secretary lacked the authority to impose a mandate on … [Read more...] about Tester, Daines comment on Supreme Court vaccine mandate rulings

Fed court sets March trial to decide Montana’s PSC districts

By Mike Dennison (MTN News)January 14, 2022

January 14, 2022 By Missoula Current

HELEN — A federal court Thursday set a March 4 trial for deciding whether and how to redraw Montana’s five Public Service Commission districts this election year – and blocked the state from certifying any candidates running for the two PSC seats up for election. Thursday’s order from a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the current districts … [Read more...] about Fed court sets March trial to decide Montana’s PSC districts