Montana

Montana lawmakers weigh two competing bills to expand charter schools

Published

2 years ago

March 17, 2023

Montana lawmakers weigh two competing bills to expand charter schools

HELENA — Two payments that may set up distinctly totally different new fashions for constitution colleges in Montana each bought vast help within the state Home earlier this month. Now, there’s loads of work left to do to determine what a last plan may appear to be.

Because the Home approached its transmittal break, lawmakers gave preliminary approval to Home Invoice 562, 63 votes to 37, and Home Invoice 549, 79 votes to 21. Now, each payments are set for consideration within the Home Appropriations Committee, which focuses on potential funds impacts.

Many lawmakers voted to maintain each payments transferring ahead, saying they needed some constitution college plan to advance and have been open to reconciling the 2 later within the session.

“I believe that it is a mixture of the perfect facets of each payments and listening to the questions and the considerations from legislators,” stated Rep. Sue Vinton, R-Billings, the Home majority chief. “If there is a desire for one over one other, we’ll discover that out as we proceed by means of this course of. And if the desire is to mix facets of each payments, I am definitely open to that as effectively.”

Vinton sponsored HB 562, which might create constitution colleges extra unbiased from the present schooling system. “Group alternative colleges” would function largely autonomously, with exemptions from numerous necessities that conventional public colleges should observe. For instance, lecturers wouldn’t have the identical certification necessities.

“Group alternative constitution colleges may open up the instructing employees to group members – professionals that deal particularly in the subject material being taught,” Vinton stated.

The invoice would create a brand new state fee below the Board of Public Schooling that might authorize alternative colleges, and native college boards may additionally apply for authorizing energy. Colleges could be operated by governing boards, ultimately elected by mother and father and guardians of the scholars attending. Authorizers would have duty for overseeing the college’s efficiency.

Vinton stated the system would guarantee group colleges have accountability for his or her funds and their operations. She additionally stated the colleges could be required to simply accept all college students who apply, so that they wouldn’t be choosing and selecting.

“If there’s a want and a market on the market for group alternative constitution colleges, it is going to occur,” Vinton stated. “But when there is no want for that, then folks will proceed to ship their kids to the native public college.”

HB 562 is co-sponsored by the highest Republican leaders in each the Home and Senate.

HB 549, sponsored by Rep. Fred Anderson, R-Nice Falls, would broaden constitution colleges, however in a framework nearer to current colleges. It will give native college districts the primary choice to create constitution colleges, however permit unbiased colleges to come back in if districts don’t transfer ahead on their very own.

Anderson stated he didn’t imagine earlier constitution college proposals had adequate “checks and balances,” and he needed a proposal that may keep extra of the tutorial statutes at the moment in place.

“What this invoice actually does is respects the authority of the native college board as prescribed within the Structure – and likewise, as a main academic supplier in each district, offers them the chance to deal with the wants of the folks earlier than it goes out to an outdoor entity,” he stated.

Underneath HB 549, the Board of Public Schooling itself could be tasked with evaluating and approving constitution colleges and monitoring their efficiency. Constitution colleges working independently of an area college district would nonetheless have their governing boards elected by the voters in that college district. Constitution colleges would even have fewer exemptions from the necessities public colleges should observe.

“The opposite factor that I actually needed to have on my invoice is following the constitutional mandates,” Anderson stated.

51 Republicans and 1 Democrat within the Home voted for each HB 549 and HB 562, whereas 10 Democrats voted in opposition to each. 11 Republicans voted just for HB 562, whereas 21 Democrats and 6 Republicans voted just for HB 549.

The Montana Federation of Public Workers, the union that represents public college lecturers, has steadily opposed constitution college proposals that they see as diverting public schooling funding. This yr, MFPE President Amanda Curtis says they’re strongly opposing HB 562 – partially due to the exemptions from issues like trainer certification and the general public pension system – however not taking a robust place on HB 549. Nevertheless, she argued neither invoice is important, as a result of state guidelines already permit college districts to launch charters.

“It isn’t a alternative of the college district desirous to do it or not; each public college in Montana needs to supply precisely the schooling that oldsters are asking for and that youngsters want,” stated Curtis. “The answer right here is to adequately fund Montana’s public colleges in order that they’ll say sure to each single constitution request the mother and father convey them.”

Curtis stated the Bozeman College District has already established a profitable constitution college, however it’s dealing with budgetary challenges to keep up it.

If the Home Appropriations Committee advances one or each payments, they’ll face a last vote on the Home ground earlier than transferring over to the Senate.

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Montana

Montana senators receive committee assignments for 119th Congress

Published

2 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Montana senators receive committee assignments for 119th Congress

Micah Drew

(Daily Montanan) Montana’s soon-to-be senior U.S. Sen. Steve Daines will keep a key leadership position in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the upcoming Congress, as well as take a new position on the Foreign Relations Committee.

Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota on Friday announced the Senate Republican Conference committee assignments for the upcoming 119^th Congress beginning next year. Daines also will serve on the Finance and Indian Affairs committees.

“It’s an honor to serve Montanans in the U.S. Senate, and I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on these crucial committees to fight for our Montana way of life,” Daines said in a prepared statement. “President (Donald) Trump received a mandate from the American people, and with these committee assignments I’ll be working to enact the president’s agenda to unleash American energy, cut taxes, open overseas markets for Montana farmers and ranchers, improve America’s relationships abroad, bring down costs for hardworking families, secure the southern border and stem the flow of deadly drugs.”

Daines has also been the ranking member on the Subcommittee on National Parks, which he will chair in the upcoming Republican-controlled Senate.

Sen.-elect Tim Sheehy, a Navy Seal, will serve on the committees on Armed Services, on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and on Veterans’ Affairs.

Sheehy, of Bozeman, won his election to the Senate against incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, who had chaired the Veterans’ Affairs committee during the last two sessions of Congress.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Dec. 25, 2024

Published

11 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 25, 2024, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

15-26-27-30-35, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

04-10-35-42-45, Lucky Ball: 02

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

04-05-40-42-52, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

09-18-19-25, Bonus: 15

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

08-29-30-47-57, Powerball: 01

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

01-05-10-39-41

Check Montana Cash 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: 9:00 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9:00 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: 8:00 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 Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, 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.

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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Montana authors talk about state's 'political hell-raiser,' archaeology • Daily Montanan

Published

22 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Montana authors talk about state's 'political hell-raiser,' archaeology • Daily Montanan

Historian and author Marc Johnson gives a book talk next month about Burton K. Wheeler, “one of the most powerful politicians Montana ever produced,” as part of the Montana Historical Society’s lecture series.

Johnson will speak from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Touchmark, 915 Saddle Dr. in Helena. He will talk about his book, “Political Hell-Raiser: The Life and Times of Senator Burton K. Wheeler of Montana.”

“(Wheeler) came of political age amid antiwar and labor unrest in Butte, Montana, during World War I, battling Montana’s powerful economic interests and championing farmers and miners as a crusading United States attorney,” said the announcement from the Montana Historical Society. “Wheeler went on to become one of the most influential, and controversial, members of the United States Senate during three of the most eventful decades in American history.”

Also in January, author and University of Montana archaeology professor Douglas MacDonald will discuss his “Land of Beginnings: The Archaeology of Montana’s First Peoples.”

The book talk takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Lewis & Clark Library, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch in Helena.

“While researchers have learned a great deal about the origins of the first people to call this region home, questions remain about which route or routes they took and when they made this journey,” said the Montana Historical Society about the book talk.

The organization also said the Original Governor’s Mansion will be open for free guided tours at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26, and on Saturday, Dec. 28.

“The Queen Anne-Style mansion will be decorated for the holiday season through the weekend with surprises for visitors of all ages,” said the announcement.

For more information, contact Darby Bramble at [email protected].

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