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After more than a year of meetings and hundreds of hours of work per person, we're disappointed to report that the School Funding Interim Commission has fallen short of its
School Funding Commission Falls Short
After more than a year of meetings and hundreds of hours of work per person, we’re disappointed to report that the School Funding Interim Commission has fallen short of its legislatively-mandated tasks (House Bill 153, 2025). As members appointed to the Commission, we feel compelled to give the public our frank assessment of where the Commission succeeded and where it fell flat. We were able to identify a number of the student demographics that need better funding mechanisms.
Primary goals of the School Funding Interim Commission Original
During Montana’s 69th Legislative Session, HB 153 was enacted directing the School Funding Interim Commission (SFIC) to update laws focusing on our educational structure and funding. The seated SFIC membership consists of six senators, six representatives, and eight individuals representing expertise as educators and school administrators, trustees, educational economists and members of the community advocating on behalf of Montana’s roughly 155,000 students in about 400 school districts.
Primary goals of the School Funding Interim Commission
During Montana’s 69th Legislative Session, HB 153 was enacted directing the School Funding Interim Commission (SFIC) to update laws focusing on our educational structure and funding. The seated SFIC membership consists of six senators, six representatives, and eight individuals representing expertise as educators and school administrators, trustees, educational economists and members of the community advocating on behalf of Montana’s roughly 155,000 students in about 400 school districts.
Busy making Montana great
In our minds, Montana is already the greatest state in the nation. However, our state will be even greater by the end of the 2025 legislative session. At the halfway point of the session, the Senate is working harder than ever to move critical legislation across the finish line and keep Montana the Last Best Place. Tax reform has been a top priority this session; every lawmaker here can confirm that the people of Montana are eager to keep more of their hard-earned money.
Democrats gave Sen. Ellsworth more power
By now, everyone reading this has likely heard about the allegations of waste, fraud, and/or abuse of taxpayer money by Sen. Jason Ellsworth, a Republican from Hamilton who until recently was the president of the Montana Senate. I find myself in an interesting position on this matter, as I’m both the chair of the Senate Ethics Committee that could be called on to formally hear these allegations, and I’m also a member of Senate Republican leadership serving as a majority whip.
By now, everyone reading this has likely heard about the allegations of waste, fraud and/or abuse of taxpayer money by Sen. Jason Ellsworth, a Republican from Hamilton who, until recently, was the president of the Montana Senate. I find myself in an interesting position on this matter, as I’m both the chair of the Senate Ethics Committee that could be called on to formally hear these allegations, and I’m also a member of Senate Republican leadership serving as a Majority Whip.
Democrats propping up alleged corruption in legislature
By now, everyone reading this has likely heard about the allegations of waste, fraud and/or abuse of taxpayer money by Sen. Jason Ellsworth, a Republican from Hamilton who, until recently, was the president of the Montana Senate. Please subscribe to continue reading… Sen. Sue Vinton represent, SD20 Yellowstone County and is Senate Majority Whip and Senate Ethics Committee Chair. Love Funny Wow Sad Angry
Democrats Propping Up Alleged Corruption in Legislature
By now, everyone reading this has likely heard about the allegations of waste, fraud, and/or abuse of taxpayer money by Senator Jason Ellsworth, a Republican from Hamilton who until recently was the President of the Montana Senate. I find myself in an interesting position on this matter, as I’m both the Chair of the Senate Ethics Committee that could be called on to formally hear these allegations, and I’m also a member of Senate Republican leadership serving as a Majority Whip.
Valley Journal: Valley Views
Home > Opinion > Columns In a recent op-ed by Representative Eric Matthews, concerns were raised about the role of public charter schools in Montana’s education system. As a passionate advocate for high-quality education, I appreciate that Montana law now supports two different types of charter school options in public education: Community Choice Schools and Public Charter Schools.
The truth about public charter and community choice schools
In a recent op-ed by Rep. Eric Matthews (Don’t be fooled by public charter school deception, Aug. 25), concerns were raised about the role of public charter schools in Montana’s education system. As a passionate advocate for high-quality education, I appreciate that Montana law now supports two different types of charter school options in public education: Community choice schools and public charter schools.
Sue Vinton: The truth about public charter schools and community choice schools.
In a recent op-ed by Representative Eric Matthews (Gazette, Aug. 28), concerns were raised about the role of public charter schools in Montana’s education system. As a passionate advocate for high-quality education, I appreciate that Montana law now supports two different types of charter school options in public education: Community Choice Schools and Public Charter Schools.
Time for Legislature to act on illegal immigration
For years we have watched news reports of the porous southern border facilitating the illegal influx of millions of migrants under the Joe Biden presidency. To be clear, we support immigration — legal immigration. Knock and come through our country’s front door the right way. If you are here to chase the dream and embrace the love of our country and values, we welcome you. It is the illegal part with which we have trouble.
The Time is Now to Act on Illegal Immigration
Letter This is crucial for the safety and security of all Montanans By Matt Regier, Sue Vinton & Rhonda Knudsen May 9, 2024 For years we have watched news reports of the porous southern border facilitating the illegal influx of 10 million migrants under the Biden presidency (thehill.com, Jan.2024). To be clear, we support immigration – legal immigration. Knock and come through our country’s front door the right way.
Support Regier for Senate District 5
I am writing to share my enthusiastic support for Matt Regier for Senate District 5. I have had the opportunity to serve with Matt during my four terms in the Montana House of Representatives; and for the last two years as House Majority Leader, I had the honor to be part of the leadership team serving with Speaker Matt Regier. For the last gight years, I have observed that Matt is highly principled and steadfast in his desire to serve the citizens of Montana to the best of his ability.
Guest column: Ruling against housing legislation is misguided
A judge in Gallatin County recently blocked two bills aimed at addressing Montana’s housing crisis, siding with a radical anti-housing interest group. The decision to block Senate Bill 323 and Senate Bill 528 is misguided and unfortunate. These bills passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and were signed into law by Governor Gianforte. Housing affordability is a major issue in Montana. Many Montanans can no longer afford to live in the communities in which they grew up.
Matt Regier, Rhonda Knudsen and Sue Vinton: Protecting the Montana way of life
America’s enemies should not be able to purchase land in Montana. Republicans passed SB 203, which prohibits foreign adversaries, like China, from purchasing or leasing critical infrastructure, agricultural land, or land with a view of a military installation in Montana. This is an important step in protecting our national security from foreign influence. As we gear up for an election, the integrity of our election processes is a high priority.
Matt Regier, Rhonda Knudsen and Sue Vinton: Protecting the Montana way of life
America’s enemies should not be able to purchase land in Montana. Republicans passed SB 203, which prohibits foreign adversaries, like China, from purchasing or leasing critical infrastructure, agricultural land, or land with a view of a military installation in Montana. This is an important step in protecting our national security from foreign influence. As we gear up for an election, the integrity of our election processes is a high priority.
Matt Regier, Rhonda Knudsen and Sue Vinton: Protecting the Montana way of life
America’s enemies should not be able to purchase land in Montana. Republicans passed SB 203, which prohibits foreign adversaries, like China, from purchasing or leasing critical infrastructure, agricultural land, or land with a view of a military installation in Montana. This is an important step in protecting our national security from foreign influence. As we gear up for an election, the integrity of our election processes is a high priority.
Matt Regier, Rhonda Knudsen and Sue Vinton: Protecting healthcare providers and patients
Our frontline workers deserve freedom of conscience while helping Montanans. House Republicans passed major legislation to protect the freedom of healthcare providers this session. House Bill 706 will allow healthcare professionals to share information about off-label uses of medication and to practice innovative medicine, with certain guardrails.
Matt Regier, Rhonda Knudsen, Sue Vinton: Protecting health care providers and patients
Our front-line workers deserve freedom of conscience while helping Montanans. House Republicans passed major legislation to protect the freedom of health care providers this session.
Protecting health care providers and patients
Our frontline workers deserve freedom of conscience while helping Montanans. House Republicans passed major legislation to protect the freedom of health care providers this session. House Bill 706 will allow health care professionals to share information about off-label uses of medication and to practice innovative medicine, with certain guardrails.
Matt Regier, Rhonda Knudsen, Sue Vinton: Protecting healthcare providers and patients
Our frontline workers deserve freedom of conscience while helping Montanans. House Republicans passed major legislation to protect the freedom of healthcare providers this session. House Bill 706 will allow healthcare professionals to share information about off-label uses of medication and to practice innovative medicine, with certain guardrails.
Matt Regier, Rhonda Knudsen and Sue Vinton: Protecting the next generation
Montana children are our most precious resource. There has been an unprecedented push to sexualize our children. Forcing choices upon children regarding their sexual orientation or exposing them to sexual content before puberty is confusing and depressing Montana youth. We must let our kids be kids. That is why House Republicans passed laws that expand parental rights, increase school choice, and remove obscene materials from schools.
Guest column: GOP works to protect Montanans' freedoms
This last election cycle many Republicans campaigned and were elected on the promise to enhance freedom in Montana. This session, Republicans accomplished that mission. House Republicans continued to protect religious freedom in school settings, and passed HB 744, which allows students to discuss faith in school without fear of punishment. After all, our government funded education system exists for our students and they should be able to express their free speech.
Montana Republicans protecting freedom
This last election cycle many Republicans campaigned and were elected on the promise to enhance freedom in Montana. This session, Republicans accomplished that mission. House Republicans continued to protect religious freedom in school settings, and passed HB 744, which allows students to discuss faith in school without fear of punishment. After all, our government-funded education system exists for our students and they should be able to express their free speech.
Republicans put Montanan’s tax dollars to work
Republicans came into the 2023 session focused on how to ensure a large surplus was handled with the utmost respect for Montanans, as well as meeting the needs of state services. With a surplus estimated at over 2 billion dollars, this was a monumental undertaking. All of the surplus will benefit Montanans through direct refunds and rebates, SAFER roads and bridges, improved infrastructure and well-funded reserves and savings accounts for fire season and other needs.
Guest column: Montanans can be proud of the 68th Legislature
The 68th session of the Montana Legislature is one that every Montanan can be proud of. Voters sent a Republican supermajority to Helena and the first thing we did was return overpaid tax dollars to you as well as providing the largest tax cut in Montana state history. As Republicans our primary constitutional duty is to pass a balanced state budget.
Montana House Leaders Recap the 68th Legislative Session
The 68th session of the Montana Legislature is one that every Montanan can be proud of. Voters sent a Republican supermajority to Helena and the first thing we did was return overpaid tax dollars to you as well as providing the largest tax cut in Montana state history. As Republicans our primary constitutional duty is to pass a balanced state budget.
Conservative legislation moving forward
The Leadership of the Montana House of Representatives is proud of the accomplishments the Republican led Legislature has achieved on behalf of the people of Montana in the first half of the legislative session.
Reducing Regulatory Barriers to Housing
As Republican and Democratic legislators representing a mix of Montana’s cities and rural areas, we have our fair share of political differences. When the governor asked us to join a task force to address Montana’s housing crisis, we could have said no. We could have let our disagreement on other issues get in the way.
Montana housing status quo unacceptable
As Republican and Democratic legislators representing a mix of Montana’s cities and rural areas, we have our fair share of political differences. When Gov. Gianforte asked us to join a task force to address Montana’s housing crisis, we could have said no. We could have let our disagreement on other issues get in the way.
Montana must loosen regulations that stop affordable housing
As Republican and Democratic legislators representing a mix of Montana’s cities and rural areas, we have our fair share of political differences. When the Governor asked us to join a task force to address Montana’s housing crisis, we could have said no. We could have let our disagreement on other issues get in the way.
Guest column: Statewide problems demand statewide solutions
As Republican and Democratic legislators representing a mix of Montana’s cities and rural areas, we have our fair share of political differences. When the governor asked us to join a task force to address Montana’s housing crisis, we could have said no. We could have let our disagreement on other issues get in the way.
Guest view: Legislature must act to end anti-housing NIMBYism
As Republican and Democratic legislators representing a mix of Montana’s cities and rural areas, we have our fair share of political differences. When the Governor asked us to join a task force to address Montana’s housing crisis, we could have said no. We could have let our disagreement on other issues get in the way.
Working to get your money back to you
When you order a pizza and the total comes to $25 and you hand them a 50 dollar bill, have you ever had the restaurant tell you that they are going to keep your change in case their expenses are higher in the future? We know this sounds absurd, but not for the state government. Over the last two years, the state of Montana has over collected $1.6 Billion in unanticipated, unexpected, and unappropriated money from you, the Montana taxpayer.
Education Scholarships Support More Montana students - Flathead Beacon
The start of the 2022-23 school year marks the dawn of new educational opportunities for students across Montana. The Tax Credits for Qualified Education Contributions Program will send its largest ever number of scholarship recipients to high-quality K-12 nonpublic schools this fall. For these students, the start of this school year represents a new beginning – a new chance to succeed academically and pursue their dreams.
Education scholarships support more Montana students
The start of the 2022-23 school year marks the dawn of new educational opportunities for students across Montana. The Tax Credits for Qualified Education Contributions Program will send its largest ever number of scholarship recipients to high-quality K-12 nonpublic schools this fall. For these students, the start of this school year represents a new beginning - a new chance to succeed academically and pursue their dreams.
Guest column: Scholarships represent new way for Montana students to succeed
The start of the 2022-23 school year marks the dawn of new educational opportunities for students across Montana. The Tax Credits for Qualified Education Contributions Program will send its largest ever number of scholarship recipients to high-quality K-12 nonpublic schools this fall. For these students, the start of this school year represents a new beginning—a new chance to succeed academically and pursue their dreams.
Education scholarships support more Montana students
The start of the 2022-23 school year marks the dawn of new educational opportunities for students across Montana. The Tax Credits for Qualified Education Contributions Program will send its largest ever number of scholarship recipients to high-quality K-12 nonpublic schools this fall. For these students, the start of this school year represents a new beginning - a new chance to succeed academically and pursue their dreams.
Education scholarships support more Montana students
The start of the 2022-23 school year marks the dawn of new educational opportunities for students across Montana. The Tax Credits for Qualified Education Contributions Program will send its largest ever number of scholarship recipients to high-quality K-12 nonpublic schools this fall. For these students, the start of this school year represents a new beginning—a new chance to succeed academically and pursue their dreams.
Judicial activism at work in recent court ruling
“The Legislature shall provide by law the requirements for residence, registration, absentee voting, and administration of elections.” It doesn’t get much clearer than that line in Article IV, Section 3 of Montana’s Constitution. Unless of course you’re an activist judge who doesn’t like common sense laws duly passed by the people’s representatives, the democratically elected Legislature.
Judicial activism at work in recent court ruling Original
"The Legislature shall provide by law the requirements for residence, registration, absentee voting, and administration of elections." It doesn't get much clearer than that line in Article IV, Section 3 of Montana's Constitution. Unless of course you're an activist judge who doesn't like common sense laws duly passed by the people's representatives, the democratically elected Legislature.
Judicial activism at work in recent court ruling
"The Legislature shall provide by law the requirements for residence, registration, absentee voting, and administration of elections." It doesn't get much clearer than that line in Article IV, Section 3 of Montana's Constitution. Unless of course you're an activist judge who doesn't like common sense laws duly passed by the people's representatives, the democratically elected Legislature.
Montana Democrats are not who they claim to be
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Guest view: Montana Democrats are allied with those in Washington
You don’t have to look far in today’s America to see the damage Joe Biden has done to our nation in just 13 short months as president: skyrocketing inflation, surging crime, global instability, sky-high gas prices, massive illegal immigration, and erosion of our personal rights are just the beginning of the failures. And while Montana Democrats always try to give the appearance they are distinct from their “woke” national party, they are in lockstep with the disastrous Biden agenda.
Safeguarding Our Outdoor Heritage
The rights to hunt, fish and access our public lands are engrained in Montana’s Constitution, our state’s heritage, and in the hearts and minds of the people you elect to represent you in Helena. Republican legislators include landowners, avid hunters, fishermen and women, competitive shooters, hikers, ATV riders, boaters, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all types. Montana’s outdoor heritage is our way of life and policies that impact the outdoor experience are near and dear to our hearts.
Racial discrimination has no place in Montana schools
by Sue Vinton | June 27, 2021 12:00 AM A recent thoughtful and well-reasoned opinion on critical race theory from Attorney General Austin Knudsen has people on the left stamping their feet and pulling out their hair. The Montana Democrats’ spin machine is on full blast to justify racial discrimination in Montana schools, universities and workplaces.
AG and OPI are right: Racial discrimination has no place in Montana
By Rep. Sue Vinton R-Billings AG and OPI are right: Racial discrimination has no place in Montana Share Tweet 0 Comments June 24, 2021 A recent thoughtful and well-reasoned Attorney General's Opinion on "critical race theory" from Austin Knudsen has people on the left stamping their feet and pulling out their hair. The Montana Democrats' spin machine is on full blast to justify racial discrimination in Montana schools, universities, and workplaces.
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