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In recent opinion pieces, Evan Barrett, a longtime Democratic consultant, and Mike Jopek, a former Democratic legislator, have repeatedly provided their “simple solution” to our high property taxes in Montana: just lower the residential property tax rate to 0.76%. If it truly was that simple, both Democrat and Republican legislators would have already done it. The reason it hasn’t happened is because it wouldn’t work like Barrett, Jopek, and others claim. Property tax rates don’t work like income taxes or sales taxes. If you have a 25% incom...
I’ll be taking a few days off during the week of Christmas and am excited to spend a lot of time doing little of anything. I have no plans to go any further than the grocery store and am completely fine with that. I know many people who, when they have time off, immediately get the itch to travel or plan a plethora of activities. Still, I’m perfectly fine with watching sports, reading a good book or two, and binge-watching a couple of seasons of a television show in 24 hours. One thing I’m looking forward to outside of creating a permanent inde...
It's once again time for one of the most popular local events of the year, the annual Three Forks Christmas Stroll. The Three Forks Chamber of Commerce's event, which will take place on Saturday, December 14, offers area residents the chance to come together for a truly family-friendly event. Much like "Rodeo Dayz" in July, the Three Forks Christmas Stroll is an excellent opportunity to get out and see Small Town America at its best. For those who might not have attended the Stroll in a while... Full story
I was chatting recently with one of my best friends from high school, and he asked me if I remembered something the two of us did. While I did draw a blank about this memory, I laughed as he described the chaos the two of us caused that day in detail. It's interesting to look back on growing up because while I had to be reminded of what happened that day, I have some core memories that never go away. Of the few that really stand out, there was the time when I was probably around four or five...
We as Montanans have a special sauce, a secret weapon, a social compact. Nobody gives you official Montanan status but you know a Montanan when you meet one. Whether you moved here last year or are fifth-generation, one learns how to be a Montanan from other Montanans, and from being on the land. In 1934, famous Western writer Zane Grey tried to put words to this unspoken “Code of the West” that guided the behavior of the hardy pioneers. The West is far less wild today, but the rules still ring true. Live each day with courage. Always fin... Full story
Airports and interstates were packed last week with people traveling for Thanksgiving. As much as it would have been nice to see family, I’m glad I wasn’t one of the millions traveling at one of the busiest holidays of the year. The older I get, the more I try to avoid that madness. I can’t even imagine the absolute chaos at the airport on the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Just thinking about the packed lines and the loud talkers on their phones making sure everyone within a 20-mile radius knows they have landed and are just waiting...
Each year, families and friends come together to celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. Over the past few decades, the day following the federal holiday has become synonymous with "Black Friday," as shoppers go in mass to larger stores to get a jumpstart on their holiday shopping. Black Friday has certainly become a cultural phenomenon, with crowds heading to "big box stores." Within the past two decades, it has been joined by "Cyber Monday," where online shoppers can take... Full story
I was young when my parents divorced, and it wasn’t too long after that my mom remarried. While I remember this being quite chaotic, it sure did make for one heck of a Thanksgiving, and that is a big reason why it is up there with my favorite holidays. I’ve heard people sometimes use the word “split” families, which I’m not fond of. It’s just how life goes sometimes, and on Thanksgiving, it allowed me to eat like a king. We would always start Thanksgiving morning a bit earlier than most, often leaving the house before 10 a.m. and heading to...
Since my never-ending senior year of college, I've had the opportunity to work for several different newspapers in various roles. Each one of these jobs has been a valuable learning experience and a chance to add to my tool belt while at the same time making some lifelong friends. There have been some papers I've liked a lot more than the others, but I would not trade any of those experiences because I'm better because of them. While most of my time since college has been spent at newspapers,... Full story
Are you like me, having had a Beaver Cleaver childhood in which the holidays were full of gifts, food and stress-free merriment? If yes, please join me in helping kids less fortunate have a festive Christmas by contributing in some way to Hope & The Holidays. Founded in 2010, this 100% volunteer-run program provides toys, games, crafts and a family-sized holiday meal basket for our neighbors that are struggling to afford working and living in our gorgeous mountain towns. Look for the toy donation boxes when you are shopping; do some Amazon...
In March, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the nation’s most stringent tailpipe emissions rules to date – a move that has been met with much pushback. To comply with these mandates from the EPA, two-thirds of all new vehicles will need to be electric by 2032. The impacts of this de facto gas car ban are distressing and are being blatantly overlooked, lacking any consideration for consumers. Without lawmakers taking immediate action to put a stop to this mandate, many concerning challenges will unfold across the nation, and...
She was 28 years old and dealt with aplomb the hordes of picture-taking tourists and repeated motherhood. When she was killed by a car a few weeks ago, the loss of Grizzly 399 left people all over the world shocked and saddened. Grizzly 399 wasn't just another wild bear in northwestern Wyoming; she was a window into the secret lives of grizzlies. Over nearly three decades she raised 18 cubs amidst the millions of visitors and residents of Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park. Her death...
How much pain does one need to experience before a revolution is needed? The burden of funding government always seems to begin with the question: “How should it be done?” A popular idea floated by one political party is to impose a tax on unrealized capital gains. Sadly, there’s nothing new or unique about this proposal. Property tax IS unrealized capital gains tax – not just imposed once, but annually, reassessed, and usually increased every two years. How did we get here? Whatever happened to the fundamental ideas of the American citizen...
Through everyday actions and shared moments, we have the opportunity to shape the world around us-whether through small acts of kindness, time spent with others, or the values we pass on to those close to us. In Gallatin County, each of us contributes to a legacy rooted not only in the land itself but also in deep connections, compassion, and a commitment to our community. With a unique blend of longtime residents and newcomers drawn by Montana's beauty, Gallatin County is constantly evolving....
Whenever the postseason arrives for baseball, it usually means a return appearance from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Whenever I watch a televised game at Dodger Stadium, I’m always transported back to a time and place when I once slipped and dumped an entire tray of beer and “Dodger Dogs” onto the hard concrete of the concourse. It was an epic disaster to watch four beers and four dogs go flying through the air in slow motion. What was worse was the look my sister gave me, as beer covered about 80 percent of my clothing. She had paid a ton of money...
The further I get from high school, the more I realize that I sure did think I knew it all when, in fact, I did not know much of anything. I feel awful for anyone who had to deal with my wrath of so-called knowledge. With the Presidential election nearing, I can vividly remember in 1992 trying to spark a debate with just about anyone who would listen about why incumbent President George H.W. Bush should be reelected instead of Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton. While I had zero life experience to speak of, I sure did think I was right. I was too...
Thank you for supporting the creation of Gallatin County's local government study commission. This once-in-a-decade opportunity allows us to evaluate and potentially improve how our county government serves the community. The last time our government structure was updated was in 1994, when Gallatin County had a population of just 32,000. Today, with over 124,000 residents, it's essential to ensure that our government is well-equipped to meet the needs of a much larger and rapidly growing...
My name is Jesse Swenson, and I am running for Broadwater County Commissioner for District 3. I am a fifth generation Montanan whose family homesteaded in the Dutton area. We moved to Townsend in 1995 when I was 8 years old. With the exception of going to college in Kalispell, where I earned my AAS in Land Surveying, and a brief time living in Helena where I was the Assistant Golf Professional for Green Meadow Country Club, Townsend is and always will be my home! I met my wife, LaReissa Swenson, while in high school here at BHS, we have 2 child...
I was driving on Montana's Highway 89 just as fall began showing up at one of my favorite spots for walking, a turn onto a two-lane country road. If you don't know busy Highway 89, it travels north from Yellowstone National Park to Glacier National Park, a 400-mile haul. Making my way through a tree-heavy section on the highway known locally as "deer alley," I saw wild turkeys in the road just ahead of me. I immediately put on my emergency lights as I always do when I see wildlife on the road...
If you’re like me, and you’ve been a Montanan for awhile (I was born and raised here), then you have likely seen some changes that, well, feel uncomfortable, and perhaps even unwelcome. One thing I think we can all agree on - lifetime Montanans and newcomers alike - is that Montana politics are broken. As a small-population state in a post-“Citizens United” country, much of our state political system is purchased for us by out-of-state money. It has become a national theme, but especially true in Montana: “The System Is Rigged.” I’ve seen s...
California has always been on the forefront of new fads. Ranked Choice Voting is the latest. San Francisco and Oakland currently use Ranked Choice Voting to run their elections. Let’s take a look at how this has worked out for them: The 2022 election for Oakland Mayor had 10 candidates on the ballot. 9 rounds of counting were required to determine the winner. With each round, the lowest vote getter was eliminated and the votes redistributed to their 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th choices. Loren Taylor was in 1st place for the first 8 rounds but did n...
Since we moved to Montana nearly ten years ago, we’ve always had at least one teenager in the house. While this has probably accounted for some of my gray hair, with what seems like a never-ending stream of sass and eye rolls, our kids have generally been well-behaved, and I’m thankful for that. The most significant issue we’ve ever encountered is with phones and the never-ending dangers of social media. I remember we found an unopened beer under our daughter’s bed on one occasion, and we confronted her about it. I almost laughed when she sai...
My name is Jesse Swenson, and I am running for Broadwater County Commissioner for District 3. I am a fifth generation Montanan whose family homesteaded in the Dutton area. We moved to Townsend in 1995 when I was 8 years old. With the exception of going to college in Kalispell, where I earned my AAS in Land Surveying, and a brief time living in Helena where I was the Assistant Golf Professional for Green Meadow Country Club, Townsend is and always will be my home! I met my wife, LaReissa Swenson, while in high school here at BHS, we have 2 child... Full story
Few decisions made in Washington impact Montanans more than those made about our nation's natural resources. Unfortunately, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' pursuit of radical environmentalism and a liberal climate change agenda is shutting down our state's energy and mining and threatening our Montana way of life. When it comes to mining, look no further than the 700 hard working miners laid off from Montana's own Stillwater Mine near Columbus this fall. Stillwater is a great employer for our...
I’ve run for office four times, and each time I’ve worked to reach all voters, not just those who closely identified with my own politics or political party affiliation. We call our elected officials “representatives” for a reason. Once elected, their primary job is to represent their constituents, and that means all of their constituents. To be clear, that doesn’t mean pleasing everyone all the time - that is impossible. In my view, it simply means pausing before taking a vote on legislati...
