Montana

Montana Legislature hearing wide variety of bills on housing affordability

Published

2 years ago

January 31, 2023

Montana Legislature hearing wide variety of bills on housing affordability

HELENA — The supply of inexpensive housing is likely one of the main points individuals in Montana have been speaking about. Now, the Montana Legislature is beginning to take into account a collection of proposals for tackling the difficulty.

“We’ve heard individuals loud and clear, that housing affordability out there’s loopy – it’s insane,” mentioned Senate President Sen. Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton.

Ellsworth mentioned lawmakers have been trying on the difficulty from many alternative angles. He highlighted a wide range of proposals, from Republicans’ invoice to supply tax rebates to property house owners to a invoice revising legal guidelines on transferring property inside a household.

The Legislature can be listening to a collection of payments aimed toward rushing up subdivision opinions:

Home Invoice 211, sponsored by Rep. Larry Brewster, R-Billings, would change the foundations on when authorities should maintain a number of hearings on a deliberate subdivision.
Senate Invoice 130, sponsored by Sen. Forrest Mandeville, R-Columbus, would permit cities to consolidate planning boards, zoning commissions and boards of adjustment right into a land-use board.
Senate Invoice 226, sponsored by Mandeville, would permit the Montana Division of Environmental High quality to certify impartial entities to evaluation subdivision purposes.
Senate Invoice 227, sponsored by Mandeville, would permit DEQ to authorize some skilled candidates to evaluation subdivision purposes.

“The query is what can we do on the availability aspect – as a result of the demand is certainly there,” Ellsworth mentioned. “I believe the one factor we will do – as a result of we will’t effectuate the costs of lumber, you may’t effectuate the costs of labor – however definitely land and the chance for land to be open for growth.”

One invoice that acquired a listening to Tuesday is Home Invoice 337, sponsored by Rep. Katie Zolnikov, R-Billings. It might prohibit cities and cities from requiring a minimal lot dimension of greater than 2,500 sq. toes, if so much has each municipal water and sewer service. It might additionally restrict municipalities’ authority to require constructing setbacks and open area.

Zolnikov mentioned throughout the listening to that the invoice would offer extra flexibility and argued it could solely result in considerably extra growth within the areas the place there’s essentially the most demand for housing.

“The great thing about this invoice is it places issues like growth into the free market,” she mentioned.

HB 337 drew opposition from native authorities representatives, together with the Montana League of Cities and Cities. Kelly Lynch, the League’s govt director, mentioned municipalities are prepared to be a part of the dialogue on how land-use modifications can enhance housing availability, however they don’t desire a top-down mandate from the state.

“There is not any flexibility in any respect – it simply says you shall do that,” she mentioned. “Lot sizes would be the dimension and setbacks would be the dimension. Regardless of the place you might be, it doesn’t matter what the problems are in your neighborhood.”

Lynch mentioned a variety of cities have acknowledged the seriousness of the housing difficulty and began making their very own zoning modifications. She mentioned lowering minimal lot sizes might be a part of the answer, however they’re not proper for each neighborhood.

Lynch mentioned the League is working with lawmakers on an alternate proposal. The invoice textual content is just not but obtainable, however she mentioned it could probably require cities and cities to undertake a number of insurance policies to help housing availability, out of an inventory of about 20 choices.

“We’ve taken the place that we’d slightly have a menu of choices after which have the communities choose from that checklist these reforms that work greatest for his or her communities,” mentioned Lynch.

Additionally up for a listening to Tuesday was Senate Invoice 194, sponsored by Sen. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena. It might supply landlords a tax credit score in the event that they lease a house to a long-term tenant at decrease than market charge.

Dunwell mentioned the proposal can be only one device to handle the housing difficulty, however doubtlessly one that might make an enormous distinction.

“It’s a win-win for everybody: It is win-win for renters to have the ability to keep of their leases and afford their rents, and it is win-win for landlords to allow them to keep in enterprise,” she mentioned.

SB 194 would set the credit score at $200 for each $100 they set lease under 110% of the federal authorities’s “truthful market lease” for the county. Within the preliminary fiscal breakdown of the invoice, finances analysts assumed that credit score can be for the complete 12 months, however Dunwell mentioned her intention was for the quantity to be month-to-month – so no less than $2,400 per 12 months.

Additionally on Tuesday, Democratic leaders within the Legislature launched particulars on their proposal to place $1.5 billion of the state’s finances surplus towards funding in a number of key priorities, together with workforce housing.

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Montana

Montana senators receive committee assignments for 119th Congress

Published

1 hour 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

10 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

21 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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