The legislation from father-and-son Republican lawmakers both saw debate Tuesday.
One bill to give the governor direct appointment power over judicial vacancies cleared an initial reading in the Senate. That s Senate Bill 140, carried by Sen. Keith Regier, a Kalispell Republican. The vote fell on party lines, 31-19, with GOP support and Democratic opposition.
Sen. Diane Sands, D-Missoula, during the Senate floor debate called the bill a power grab to control the third branch of government. This is a bad idea, Sands said. What s it really about? Well in my view, this is a power grab by the current governor to be able to handpick judges without independent vetting or adequate public input or transparency.
The Governor s Office on Tuesday made its pitch to a Senate committee on why it should take over direct appointment of judges after a vacancy on the bench and do away with the nominating process that s been in place for 50 years.
Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras argued on behalf of Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Juras said giving the governor direct appointment power over state district and Supreme Court judges would merely pull back the curtain on partisanship in the appointment process, which she claimed was already well underway in the Judicial Nominating Commission.
The proposal is carried by Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, in Senate Bill 140.
Judge dismisses Gallatin County lawsuit against Rocking R Bar kbzk.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kbzk.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Judge dismisses county lawsuit against Rocking R Bar over COVID restrictions
MTN NEWS
and last updated 2021-02-06 14:28:20-05
BOZEMAN â A lawsuit filed on behalf of Gallatin County against the Rocking R Bar in downtown Bozeman over adherence to emergency health orders was dismissed on Friday.
The suit was initially brought in response to the barâs alleged, repeated violations of a 10 p.m. closing time rule put in place by the Gallatin City-County Board of Health due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a signed order, Gallatin County District Court Judge Rienne McElyea said the case was now moot â.in light of actions of the Governor, the Board of Health, and the Health Officer.â