Montana

Montana Viewpoint: The Big (true) Beautiful (not really) Bill

Published

6 months ago

May 20, 2025

Montana Viewpoint: The Big (true) Beautiful (not really) Bill

Jim Elliott

After all the concern about runaway government spending and the hand wringing about the budget deficit why on earth would Congress want to pass a tax bill that cuts taxes for the 400-plus American billionaires, pays for it by penalizing sick and lower income people and STILL increases the deficit by $3 trillion?

And, why on earth would the administration want to cut the IRS, the people that actually collect the taxes and root out tax fraud?

There’s an easy answer—to cut government by lowering the amount of money available to spend.

And that doesn’t sound like a bad thing until you look at what the American people ask government to do. When I talked to people who decried government spending years ago, I would ask them what government programs that they used would they recommend for elimination. Oh, well, that’s different. Ask your own self that question.

There is, and has been for a long time, a movement that wants to reduce government to the point where they can “drown it in a bathtub”. That’s a cute way to put it, but they are serious and now they are being successful. The reason for doing that is to get government out of the way and let them make as much money as they want.

Billionaires don’t need government like regular people do. They do not need government health care insurance, they do not have to rely on local police, they can pay out of their own vast wealth for all the things that regular people need. They can hire their own security, live in gated communities, keep a doctor on their personal staff. Well, good for them, but why should they make it hard for the rest of us?

It is hard to find a calm analysis of the “Big Beautiful Bill” Most of the Republicans think it is wonderful, for the Democrats it will be the end of the world as we know it. In truth, there will be tax advantages for most people, but there will also be increased hardship for those Americans who are sick and poor. The “deserving” sick or poor, I mean.

There will be work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP (which used to be called food stamps). That’s to lower the cost to the government and to cut down on fraud. Perhaps that’s to make being sick and hungry more attractive. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana has claimed that there is an annual $50 billion in “fraudulent payments” to Medicaid. But that flies in the face of reality because such fraud as is being committed is committed by Medicaid providers, not patients. At the same time the President is cutting the number of Inspectors General who are the people who are supposed to ride herd on fraud. All this from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

So, America’s taxpayers with incomes over a million dollars a year will get a huge tax cut. They already award themselves an estimated $150 billion a year through tax evasion according to the IRS. In 2022 (the last year for which I can find information) the IRS estimated that there was $609 billion lost to tax evaders. Collecting that would offset the projected deficit in the bill in five years.

We will see what we will get, but I will always be amazed at those American billionaires for whom too much is not enough.

Montana Viewpoint has appeared in weekly and online newspapers across Montana for over 30 years. Jim Elliott served sixteen years in the Montana Legislature as a state representative and state senator. He lives on his ranch in Trout Creek.

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Montana

Showdown Montana offers discounts in exchange for canned food donations

Published

4 hours ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

Showdown Montana offers discounts in exchange for canned food donations

As ski season approaches and temps drop, Showdown Montana is once again turning the opening month into a chance to help the community while saving big.

Skiers can reduce the cost of a $70 lift ticket to $20 merely by contributing canned goods.

Katie Boedecker, President and General Manager of Showdown Montana, stated that the endeavor represents the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting local families.

Quentin Shores reports – watch the video:

Showdown Montana offers discounts in exchange for canned food donations

“It’s just a hard time of year for families and for people that need help. And we want to do everything we can to support this,” she explained. “We’ve been doing a food drive for at least 35 years up here.”

This year, the program is expanding. Rather than transporting donations up the mountain, visitors can now drop off 20 canned food items at participating food banks in Great Falls, Helena, Billings, Bozeman, and White Sulphur Springs.

In exchange, they will receive a certificate for a $20 lift ticket valid on any operational day in December.

“If you bring 20 cans of food to those food banks, you will get a voucher for a $20 lift ticket,” explained Avery Patrick, Showdown’s vice president and marketing director.

The new system also reduces the pressure on food banks. In earlier years, personnel had to drive trucks up the mountain to collect donations, which was a logistical nightmare during the winter. Donors can now go directly to the source.

Shaun Tatarka of the Great Falls Community Food Bank explained that bringing food to the food bank will result in a lift ticket. “There’s a limit of only ten per person.”

Donors may exchange up to 120 cans for reduced tickets while supplies last. The food bank is especially in need of cereal, canned chili, soups, and canned fruit, which help households get through the colder months.

“People really enjoy giving at this time of year,” Tatarka said. “We really rely on November and December for about 50 to 60% of our income and donations.”

Showdown plans to start on December 5, but vouchers can already be picked up during regular food bank hours.

Showdown Montana’s official opening date is December 12, though they may open on December 5 depending on conditions.

Showdown is about 65 miles southeast of Great Falls; click here to visit the website.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Lucky For Life, Big Sky Bonus results for Nov. 27, 2025

Published

22 hours ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 27, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Nov. 27 drawing

08-12-13-16-45, Lucky Ball: 13

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Nov. 27 drawing

05-14-15-21, Bonus: 15

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.

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

Montana State’s Brent Vigen says he’s staying as Bobcats football coach

Published

2 days ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

Montana State’s Brent Vigen says he’s staying as Bobcats football coach

Montana State University football coach Brent Vigen announced Wednesday he is staying in Bozeman.

The Bobcat coach, who led his team to a second consecutive Big Sky Conference title this season, wrote on social media that he spoke with the school’s athletics director, Leon Costello, and chose to remain in place.

“I’m honored for the opportunity to keep leading this team and to continue this journey as the head football coach,” Vigen wrote in a statement posted on Montana State social media platforms.

Vigen recently earned his third Big Sky Coach of the Year award after leading the Bobcats to the No. 2 seed in the upcoming FCS playoffs. The Cats will play the winner of the Yale-Youngstown State game on Dec. 6 in Bozeman.

According to multiple media reports, Vigen was a finalist for the head coaching job at Oregon State University.

At Montana State, Vigen has compiled 57-12 overall record, including a 37-3 record in Big Sky play. He guided the Bobcats to the FCS national championship game in 2024.

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