Republicans and Democrats reflect on the 2021 Legislative Session
Last updated 5/3/2021 at 11:47am
Gov. Greg Gianforte held a press conference Friday to give a recap of the Montana Legislature’s accomplishments in advancing the agenda its Republican leadership shares with his administration, in the wake of Democratic leaders also discussing the session the previous day. Gianforte said with Republicans in control of the Legislature and executive branch they’ve seized the opportunity to make the state more competitive compared to its neighbors by lowering taxes and increasing exemptions for businesses, especially on equipment taxes, as well as simplifying the state tax code.
Montana lawmakers wrapped up the 2021 regular session here Thursday – but not without a technical glitch, delays on an aborted marijuana bill and some parting, partisan barbs.
Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte on Monday signed three bills to limit access to abortion in the state.
The bills Gianforte signed ban abortions after 20 weeks gestational age, require a woman be informed of the option to view an ultrasound before an abortion and require informed consent before a drug-induced abortion.
Gianforte is the stateâs first Republican governor in 16 years and campaigned on an agenda that included limiting access to abortions in the state. Legislation similar to the bills Gianforte signed into law Monday have advanced in past sessions but were vetoed by past Democratic governors. There were many who served in this building before us who champion the unborn, people who worked hard to advance the cause of life, Gianforte said during a bill-signing ceremony outside the Capitol on Monday. Unfortunately, their efforts were vetoed. But not today.
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Former Republican lawmaker Dave Lewis closely tracks what happens under the dome of the Montana Capitol through the 90 days lawmakers fill the building in odd-numbered years, and he s distressed by what s unfolded since the start of the month.
The Legislature, steered by a Republican majority, and the Supreme Court are in an escalating fight. At the end of last week, a newly formed committee led by GOP lawmakers said it would disregard a Supreme Court order and keep seeking emails from the judicial branch they claim show possible misconduct. One branch of government in Montana rejecting the power of another would be unprecedented, except this was the second time it d happened in less than a week.