Montana
Montana lawmakers looking at possible changes to state pension systems
HELENA — Montana’s unfunded pension legal responsibility has been a subject of debate for years on the state Legislature. Now, a pair of payments geared toward lowering that legal responsibility have handed the Home and are into consideration within the Senate.
On Monday, the Senate Finance and Claims Committee held hearings on Home Payments 226 and 569, each sponsored by Rep. Terry Moore, R-Billings.
“I would like to see the state not have that long-term legal responsibility bearing down on our kids and grandchildren as a generational debt,” Moore informed MTN.
Collectively, the 2 payments search to scale back the “amortization interval” for 4 of Montana’s public pension programs – the size of time required to repay the legal responsibility.
“Throughout the state, it is costing us about 350 million a yr in misplaced earnings on the unfunded legal responsibility,” Moore stated.
Each payments use a mixture of strategies: growing required contributions by public employers, investing state cash and making coverage adjustments for future workers.
“We will take this dialog away from the Legislature and the agony of what to do or what to not do,” stated Moore. “It places us in a path of decision on these explicit plans.”
HB 226 applies to the Public Worker Retirement System, the biggest state pension system. It serves greater than 28,000 energetic members – together with state, native authorities and faculty district workers – and one other 25,000 retirees and beneficiaries.
In response to HB 226, PERS at present has $2.25 billion in unfunded legal responsibility and an amortization interval of 32 years – increased than the utmost 30 years that the system is designed for.
At the moment, employers pay about 9% of their complete payroll for PERS workers into the system. HB 226 would improve that proportion primarily based on an actuarial evaluation of what can be wanted to repay the unfunded legal responsibility. The invoice contains language to make that improve gradual – about 0.5% a yr – and it could put aside $300 million in state funding to cowl the distinction between the actuarially decided fee and the precise fee for the primary few years.
“We’ve requested the state to take part in limiting the publicity of the counties to get us there, and that’s the $300 million,” stated Jason Rittal, deputy director of the Montana Affiliation of Counties. “We’d ask that you just maintain the road laborious on that $300 million assist.”
Leaders with the Montana League of Cities and Cities remained against the invoice even with that help, saying it nonetheless would result in important added prices for municipalities.
HB 226 would additionally make it the default for brand spanking new workers becoming a member of PERS to affix the “outlined contribution plan,” the place the worker assumes the funding danger and alternatives for his or her cash. They’d have the choice to as a substitute choose the “outlined profit plan,” the place workers get a particular pension quantity primarily based on issues like their job and years of service.
At the moment, the outlined profit plan is the default, and workers should choose the outlined contribution plan if they need it. The Montana Federation of Public Staff, the union that represents many PERS members, opposed switching that.
“This impacts individuals who neglect to fill out paperwork – which if you’re 22 has been recognized to occur from time to time,” stated Sarah Piper, MFPE’s director of analysis and bargaining. “At the moment, if somebody forgets to fill it out, they’re positioned within the pension plan, the DB plan. This locations them in a much less safe retirement plan because the default.”
Piper stated about 90% of present workers are within the outlined profit plan, and solely about 10% select outlined contribution.
HB 569 covers three smaller pension programs: the Freeway Patrol Officers’ Retirement System, for Montana Freeway Patrol troopers and supervisors; the Sheriffs’ Retirement System, for county sheriffs, deputies and detention officers and Montana Division of Justice felony investigators; and the Recreation Wardens’ and Peace Officers’ Retirement System, for wardens and a wide range of different state workers, together with corrections officers and Montana College System safety officers.
The invoice would offer $95.6 million in state funds and set up actuarially decided contribution charges for employers to deliver the amortization intervals in these programs to 25 years.
HB 569 would additionally change when newly employed members of the sheriffs’ and freeway patrol programs can start drawing their pensions. At the moment, officers have to work 20 years to be eligible for a retirement profit. The invoice would require they work 20 years and attain the age of fifty.
Throughout Monday’s listening to, numerous regulation enforcement representatives expressed opposition to the change. They stated it is smart for officers to have an earlier retirement as they’re in a bodily and emotionally demanding profession. Additionally they raised issues that, since this added wouldn’t apply to municipal law enforcement officials, it could be tougher for sheriff’s workplaces and MHP to recruit and retain officers.
“I ask that you just permit your regulation enforcement leaders to proceed to have a look at their recruits and inform them, ‘When you give me your 20 greatest – should you serve this group together with your 20 greatest years – we are going to in flip spend money on you and you may draw your retirement,’” stated Gallatin County Undersheriff Jeremy Kopp.
Moore stated the retirement age wouldn’t be modified for the Municipal Police Officers’ Retirement System as a result of they aren’t receiving an infusion of state cash on this invoice. Nevertheless, he stated he expects the state will proceed to have a look at adjustments to the pension programs and will deal with the law enforcement officials’ system as quickly as subsequent legislative session if this invoice goes ahead.
Moore confused that neither invoice would make adjustments to advantages or insurance policies for present public workers or retirees – just for new workers beginning after July. He stated these adjustments are vital steps to make sure the state doesn’t get again right into a place with massive unfunded liabilities once more sooner or later.
“Over the subsequent couple of many years, it should make a distinction,” he stated.
The committee took no quick motion on both invoice.
HB 226 handed the Home final month, 72-25, with a number of Democrats becoming a member of all Republicans in assist. HB 569 handed 62-37, with most Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed.
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Montana
Search for missing Montana woman suspended at landfill north of Great Falls
![Search for missing Montana woman suspended at landfill north of Great Falls Search for missing Montana woman suspended at landfill north of Great Falls](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/12/16/PGRF/77033615007-470189185-999054538931632-3813727476732159871-n.jpg?auto=webp&crop=1079,607,x0,y378&format=pjpg&width=1200)
How to report a missing person
Here’s how to take action when a person goes missing.
The search for a missing Conrad woman at the High Plains Landfill north of Great Falls has been suspended, the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday afternoon.
Alicia Wood, 46, was last seen on Nov. 22 and was reported missing on Nov. 30 to the Conrad Police Department. Wood’s car was found abandoned on the side of Highway 91 between Conrad and Brady and blood was later found inside the vehicle.
The Montana Department of Criminal Investigation took over the case and a lead prompted a search for Wood at the landfill. The search began on Dec. 5 and lasted nine days.
“The is not a decision we took lightly, however, we feel we have conducted a thorough search of our landfill based on the information and leads provided,” Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter said in a statement.
DCI and the Pondera County Sheriff’s Office will continue to lead the investigation.
“As I said at the beginning of our search this is just one lead in this investigation. I’m confident that the Division of Criminal Investigation will continue to follow all current and future leads,” Slaughter said.
Anyone with information about the disappearance of Alicia Woods is asked to contact the Division of Criminal Investigation by calling or 406-444-3874 or emailing contactdci@mt.gov.
The Cascade County Sheriff’s Office also thanked the numerous law enforcement and civilian agencies who assisted in the landfill search, as well as community supporters who provided meals for the search party.
Montana
7 Most Unconventional Towns In Montana
![7 Most Unconventional Towns In Montana 7 Most Unconventional Towns In Montana](https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w1200-q80/upload/28/64/c3/shutterstock-2045008346.jpg)
Millions of Americans and visitors from all over the world come every year to Montana, and perhaps most know the Big Sky Country state for its access to renowned national parks, like Glacier and Yellowstone. But it offers so much more. A confluence of cultural forces has shaped this region — from the Native American traditions to the gold rushes — and it is that Old West spirit that Montana’s residents have proudly kept alive. In Montana, we’ve discovered seven of the most unconventional towns. They dot the Montana map, inviting visitors to experience and be fully immersed in the state’s heritage and traditions.
Philipsburg brings a bygone mining era back to life. Red Lodge is the ultimate rugged alpine experience. Bigfork is valued for its art scene and summer theater. Livingstone is the “Gateway to Yellowstone.” Virginia City is a well-preserved gold rush historical experience. Whitefish is a haven for outdoorsy types, but it also has a touch of sophistication. Fort Benton, is remembered as the “Birthplace of Montana.” Join the tour and discover how each of these towns is as unique as the landscapes they inhabit.
Philipsburg
Nested in a verdant valley between the Sapphire Mountains and Flint Creek is the town of Philipsburg, with its dense pine forests and alpine lakes. The downtown is marked by restored 19th-century buildings with colorful frontages. The friendly town has a nostalgic vibe with its antique shops and boutique shopping, such as the Sweet Palace, a candy store. Historical landmarks include the Opera House Theatre, built in 1891, and The Granite Country Museum, showcasing the town’s mining heritage. Sapphire mining at Gem Mountain is a unique experience. The Granite Ghost Town State Park and the annual Flint Creek Valley Days festival with its parade and live music make Philipsburg extra special.
Red Lodge
![Red Lodge, Montana](https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w768/upload/17/8d/f0/shutterstock-262978910.jpg)
With access to Beartooth Highway, what has been dubbed “the most beautiful drive in America,” Red Lodge is an exceptional town. The downtown boasts of Wild West-style architecture, with saloons, eateries and art galleries. Historical landmarks are The Carbon County Historical Society and Museum, displaying the town’s ranching and mining history. Commercial attractions include the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. The town is settled at the base of the Beartooth Mountains and surrounded by rolling meadows.
Bigfork
![Big Fork, Montana](https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w768/upload/61/3f/2c/big-fork-7-4-parade.jpg)
Enveloped by forests, rolling hills and settled along the northeastern shore of Flathead Lake is the town of Bigfork. Bigfork’s downtown blends rustic log cabins with modern designs. The charming town is lined with bistros, galleries and shops. The town has a thriving art scene, annual events like the Bigfork Festival of the Arts, brings the whole community together. Wayfarers State Park provides breathtaking views of Flathead Lake and is rich in Native American history. One thing that is special about this town is The Bigfork Summer Playhouse, a seasonal theater that has given the town the nickname “Montana’s Broadway.”
Livingston
![Livingston, Montana](https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w768/upload/55/98/e0/firehall-fitness-center-livingston-montana.jpg)
Downtown Livingston with its turn-of-the-century brick buildings hosting quirky cafes, bars and bookshops, presents residents and visitors with a relaxed, artsy vibe. The town is prized as a “foodie paradise” with local favorites like Fainting Goat Pub and Engine Room Deep Dish Pizza. Lying along the Yellowstone River, the small town is surrounded by the Crazy and Absaroka mountains. One thing that stands out is Livingston hosts an annual famous rodeo and has become known as the “Gateway to Yellowstone.” The Livingston Depot Center is a restored train station, which showcases the town’s railroad history. Livingston is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with activities like fly-fishing, hiking and, of course, access to Yellowstone National Park.
Virginia City
![Virginia City ghost town](https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w768/upload/5f/98/f3/shutterstock-2377593769.jpg)
Once known as “Fourteen Mile City,” the gold rush era town of Virginia City is based in a valley and surrounded by sagebrush hills and the Tobacco Root Mountains. During its heyday period the town was regarded as a social center and transportation hub in the region. Today the entire town is a historic site. Something that makes Virginia City unusual is the town actors that bring the mid-1800s to life again. The small settlement feels like a well-preserved ghost town with its wooden sidewalks, saloons, and mercantile shops. Be sure not to miss the Virginia City Opera House and Alder Gulch. Visitors can pan for gold and take a historic stagecoach ride.
Whitefish
![Whitefish, Montana](https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w768/upload/3c/70/34/whitefish-montana-downtown-looking-west-us93.jpg)
The town of Whitefish has a unique tradition, known as their annual Huckleberry Days, which celebrates the local berry. A gateway to Glacier National Park, surrounded by forests and lakes with views of Big Mountain, Whitefish is plentiful in natural beauties, with much to explore and see. The downtown combines rustic architecture with a sophisticated modern touch. Be sure to check out the Whitefish Farmers’ Market, along with the many fine dining options and boutiques. Big Mountain has the best skiing in the winter and the tail rides through Bar W Guest Ranch are second to none. No visit to Whitefish is complete without some time by or on the water. Whitefish City Beach is a great place for the whole family to play. The Great Northern Railway Depot and Whitefish Lake State Parks are historical landmarks.
Fort Benton
![Fort Benton, Montana](https://www.worldatlas.com/r/w768/upload/28/8c/a4/shutterstock-1594218406.jpg)
When visitors drive past herds of antelope and deer while enjoying majestic views in all directions, they quickly come to understand why Fort Benton has been praised for its beauty by both Forbes and National Geographic Traveler. Located along the Missouri River and surrounded by rolling planes and the region’s rich agricultural land, Fort Benton is a gem of a town. Fort Benton’s downtown blends well-maintained frontier-era buildings and modern designs. Landmarks include The Lewis and Clark Memorial and the Museum of the Upper Missouri, which display the town’s role in westward expansion. Be sure to book boat tours with groups like Upper Missouri River Guides for excursions along the Missouri River that showcase views of bluffs and local wildlife.
Parting Thoughts
Montana is the fourth-largest state in the U.S., covering over 147,000 square miles. Its name comes from the Spanish word montaña, meaning “mountain,” reflecting its dramatic landscapes. The Missouri River, one of North America’s longest rivers, begins in Montana. The state experiences a range of weather, from snowy winters to warm summers. Rich in history, Montana was once home to Native American tribes like the Crow and Blackfeet. Today, it’s celebrated for its outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, and skiing. These seven most unconventional towns in Montana are each marked out for something special in their natures, which have become woven together into the cultural tapestry of this Old West state. From world class national parks to outstanding natural wonders to rich Native American and gold rush histories, these towns are quintessentially Montana.
Montana
USC men’s basketball continues to hit stride with blowout of Montana State
![USC men’s basketball continues to hit stride with blowout of Montana State USC men’s basketball continues to hit stride with blowout of Montana State](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USC-hoops-logo-rack-1.jpg?w=1024&h=576)
LOS ANGELES — Everything he says in front of a microphone, Eric Musselman smirked Sunday, is calculated. And he speaks, firstly, not to the general public. He speaks, firstly, to his own program.
Two weeks ago, USC reeling amid a three-game losing streak, head coach Musselman told reporters “I don’t know how many Big Ten games we’re gonna win” after a loss to Oregon. It was not the work of loose lips, fueled by emotion. It was planned. It was a coach who was fully aware his players had eyes and ears and social media, and would no doubt see a clip of their head coach questioning his program’s very ability nine games into their season.
And in the weeks to come, as guard Desmond Claude affirmed Sunday night, Musselman’s players have wanted to hit the hardwood and show him.
“I would say,” wing Saint Thomas said Sunday, with a smirk of his own, “I definitely seen what he said.”
There is life in this USC program yet, and life in the Galen Center, life created by the media-manipulation mind games of a 60-year-old HC who was forged amid the drama of the NBA.
A week after the Trojans followed up that Oregon loss by bludgeoning Washington on the road, they returned home to blitz Montana State on Sunday night in an end-to-end 89-63 win.
“I mean, we were playing bad basketball a couple games ago, and that’s the real,” Thomas said. “And him speaking up like that, I think, kind of got us out of our funk.”
Claude continued a three-game stretch of immaculate play, finishing with 19 points on 6-of-8 from the floor and 7-of-8 on free throws. Thomas added 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
USC never once trailed, and the ballgame was all but over by the 10-minute mark. Thomas drained a three to put the Trojans up 27-5 early on an overwhelmed Big Sky opponent.
Suddenly, in a conference known for plodding big men and gritty offense, free-flowing USC (7-4, 1-1 Big Ten) looks like the kind of program that could give a host of Big Ten schools fits.
“We’re starting to turn it around,” Claude said postgame. “And — yeah, we just wanted to prove everybody wrong.”
The team’s “only problem” at the moment, as Thomas said postgame, was guarding the ball and playing team defense. Maybe not only. But regardless, it had bit USC for weeks, and with his ideas already exhausted Musselman turned to his roots.
He and staff, after the Oregon game, reached out to a host of NBA teams and coaches for ideas on defensive drills, Musselman said after Sunday’s game. Since then, they’ve drilled two-on-two pick-and-roll actions for 14 days straight.
“We just needed to put them in some different situations,” Musselman said postgame. “And I thought it really helped us.”
For minutes, to open Sunday’s game, Montana State had difficulty even getting a shot off before red zeroes blared. MSU started just 2-of-13 from the floor, and USC’s defensive rotations and help in the paint look massively improved. And on the other end, a team that had played a sort of discombobulated your-turn, my-turn offense swung the rock as if they’d been buddies since childhood.
One possession with about nine minutes remaining in the first half was pure symphony. First came a slew of DHOs to get Thomas driving off a pick-and-roll. Then came a baseline cut by Matt Knowling and a find by Thomas. Then came a touch-pass to the corner from Knowling to Clark Slajchert. Then came an immediate drive-and-dump by Slajchert to big Rashaun Agee, a slew of split-second instinctive reads culminating in a thunderous jam from Agee.
After USC took a 47-21 halftime lead, Claude kept his program afloat in the second half, repeatedly breaking down bigs off pick-and-roll actions and attacking downhill relentlessly to the tune of 15 points after the break.
“He’s become a really, really hard player to defend,” Musselman said postgame.
Two weeks ago, in front of that microphone at Oregon, Musselman could’ve taken a wildly different route. They’d lost in the final minutes to the then-12th-ranked team in the nation, after all. It was a sign of progress.
But the man was thinking steps ahead and dropped the words that have sparked a turnaround.
“The truth hurts sometimes,” Thomas said, on Sunday. “But hey, the truth got us to where we are now.”
Originally Published:
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