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Is Montana’s Budget on Fire? – Flathead Beacon

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Is Montana’s Budget on Fire? – Flathead Beacon


Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a libertarian special interest group, would have you think so. And it is sending out postcards and online ads claiming that Republicans who worked with Governor Greg Gianforte to produce a balanced budget are “pouring gasoline on the fire.”

The problem is that the “accountability information” AFP is peddling is false.

Did the state budget “explode” by $16.5 billion? NO! That number is the two-year appropriation in the General Appropriations Act (HB 2). It is not how much the budget increased. The actual increase in the total state budget was $142 million over two years—a tiny fraction of the amount claimed by AFP—according to the official budget comparison as calculated per state law (17-7-151, MCA) and validated by analysts at the legislature’s nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Division. Was there a 13.5% increase in state spending? NO! AFP’s number comes from considering only part of the state budget. The total state budget grew by only 0.7%, according to the official budget comparison cited above.

Did the budget grow at “2x the rate of inflation and 7x the pace of population growth”?  NO! Budget growth was 0.7%—obviously much less than what AFP claims.

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Is Montana running “massive deficits”? NO!  he state constitution requires a balanced budget, and the budget we passed is balanced. Montana does not engage in deficit spending. Furthermore, Montana is the only bond debt-free state in the nation because of legislative actions taken over the past two sessions.

Was this the “biggest budget in Montana’s history”? Yes. But that could be said about any year in at least the recent past (I looked back 10 years). Why is that? A big reason is that inflation drives up the cost of providing the services that most Montanans expect, e.g., law enforcement, a corrections system, mental health and drug treatment, an education system, and management of our public lands, to name only a few. Good government is about providing those services as cost effectively as possible. Governor Gianforte and his allies in the legislature have been doing just that.

Americans for Prosperity might be forgiven if they simply misunderstood a thing or two about state finance. But AFP got so much wrong that one can only conclude that it willfully distorted the truth in order to mislead Montana citizens. Where I come from in Montana that’s called lying.

David Bedey is a Republican state Representative from Hamilton.

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Montana

Crash on I-90 Tuesday kills 3, including 9-year-old

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Crash on I-90 Tuesday kills 3, including 9-year-old


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How to Be Outside, Inside Featuring Adelfa Marr and Manny Montana

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How to Be Outside, Inside Featuring Adelfa Marr and Manny Montana


The actor and his wife, Adelfa Marr, share their favorite spots in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens that serve cozy, cultured vibes with just the right amount of social.

If you were a fan of NBC’s Good Girls, you likely spent at least a few minutes being obsessed over Manny Montana and his character Rio. The cult following that spawned from his on-screen chemistry with Beth Boland’s character lit Twitter ablaze and launched him as a memeafied heartthrob. But the real love story is the one shared with his wife, Adelfa Marr. She’s an author, healer, and scene-stealer in her own right (she even made a cameo on Good Girls). The couple keeps a low-key life in Brooklyn, radiating mutual respect and admiration. Marr, originally from Brooklyn and Montana, a native of Long Beach, California, keeps a distinct rhythm in the city, fitting to their style. This week, Adelfa, along with Manny, shares their favorite spots to retreat from crowds and soak up a more cultured, comfy NYC. 

Okayplayer: When you want to be “outside” without being OUTSIDE, where do you go in NYC?

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Adelfa Marr and Manny Montana: I must note that I read this question aloud and we both answered “Bouquet!” simultaneously. Bouquet feels like home away from home. The food is always top tier — think elevated comfort food — and the natural wine is *chef’s kiss*. Eric, the owner, and Herold, the chef, have really created something special there, so whenever we want to go out, especially in this cold, it’s gotta be worth it. Bouquet never lets us down. 

Where do you go when you want to be around people, but not overwhelmed by crowds?

A big LOL is that we said Bouquet for this, too! Our other go-tos are usually a film (and Q&As) at the Angelika or comedy shows. We’re big Comedy Cellar fans, and while trying to secure a ticket always feels like a mission, but when accomplished, it’s a very worthwhile time. 

Our other selfish favorite is our own Pickles Book Club. We meet monthly, and the crowd is amazing, fun, smart, and funny as hell. It’s cup-filling without being overwhelming. 

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What does your perfect NYC day look like, from morning to night?

Our perfect day would be any NY summer day. We love being outside when outside is playing nice! We’ve got to start the day with some breakfast from Curley’s Bagels in Queens, head over to Astoria Park to people-watch and enjoy the day, and maybe get a workout in. Then, head over to the city for a Strand trip cause we’re always searching for new books for Pickles Book Club. Finishing off at a sushi restaurant would be ideal. 





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Montana Lottery Lucky For Life, Big Sky Bonus results for Dec. 25, 2025

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The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 25, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

23-29-31-37-45, Lucky Ball: 16

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

03-06-08-12, Bonus: 13

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Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
  • Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
  • Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

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Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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