Levine’s absence in Cascade County noticeable as she eyes election for district judge
Keith Schubert
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The State Senate’s historic decision not to confirm the nomination of Cascade County Judge Michele Reinhart Levine could have serious ramifications for a court with a small number of judges that was already struggling to keep up with a growing caseload, according to data provided by the Montana judicial branch.
Even before the Legislature denied Levine’s confirmation, data from Montana’s judiciary showed that Cascade County, which has heard an average of 5,453 cases per year since 2011, was short 2.59 judges in 2020.
Western Native Voice will fight Montana bill that limits ballot collection
Keila Szpaller
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Organizers for Western Native Voice are paid to collect ballots, but that’s just one part of their job, said Keaton Sunchild, political director for the nonpartisan voting and civic engagement nonprofit based in Billings.
But this week, those organizers have been handing out coronavirus survival kits, which include items such as masks, he said. They earlier completed health care appreciation drives.
“It’s just one small part of their job,” Sunchild said of ballot collection. “While there’s people who might say it’s the most important part of their job, and maybe it is, we can’t simply not pay them for the 30 days they’re collecting ballots.”
Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed into a law a bill that gives him mostly unfettered ability to fill supreme and district court vacancies.
Senate Bill 140, sponsored by Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, eliminates the Judicial Nominating Commission and gives the governor power to fill judicial vacancies. However, the appointments have to be approved by the Senate.
While the bill made its way through the legislature, the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by Regier, stalled on confirming three judges appointed by former Democratic Gov. Steven Bullock.
Opponents worried the eliminating the commission and giving the power directly to the governor would make the process too partisan. Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras, who helped draft the bill, said the commission process was already partisan because of the member’s history of almost exclusively donating to Democrat candidates.
Through incoming legislation, Gov. Greg Gianforte is looking to expand his office s fingerprints across more state government branches and agencies.
One recently introduced bill would give Gianforte, a Republican elected in November, immediate power to directly appoint state district court judges and state Supreme Court judges. Under another piece of legislation, Gianforte would also be able to appoint deputy directors of state agencies upon vacancies. In the last week or so, board appointments made by outgoing-Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, have also been cleared from the confirmation process to make way for Gianforteâs nominees.
Gianforte is the state s first GOP governor in 16 years.Â