Politics

Lawmakers from across the political spectrum are in agreement that addressing property taxes is one of the biggest things – if not the biggest – they still need to accomplish.

Seventy-seven days into the 90-day session, the Legislature has passed just one property tax reform bill, Senate Bill 117, to the governor.

The city's mayor and the Missoula Redevelopment Agency have proposed allocating access funding from the Johnson Street Shelter to help fund the city's housing sprint as shelter operations wind down over the next few months.

The Senate gave initial approval to HB 2, on a 27-23 vote – with nine Republicans and all 18 Democrats voting to move it forward.

The effort would start studies analyzing the efficacy of public-school programs like special education, media literacy, school safety and counselors.

The political landscape for municipal government began to take shape on Thursday with several incumbent members of City Council announcing their bid for re-election, along with the mayor.

The Senate Taxation Committee made headway on the property tax debate by moving several bills originating in the House through the committee on Wednesday morning, despite reservations by several legislators.

To qualify for funding in the coming fiscal year, districts would have to pay educators a salary that is at least 62% of 2025’s average teacher pay.

Thousands of people packed the Adams Center in Missoula on Wednesday to rally with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and their Fight Oligarchy tour.

Senate Bill 117 would require local governments to roll 25% of newly taxable residential property value into reducing rates.