What the Helena

Latest Episodes:

41. A Crash Course on Property Taxes with MTFP's Eric Dietrich Sep 30, 2023

Show notes

If you've been following the news in Montana for the last few months, it's likely you've seen a barrage of headlines about property taxes: how much they're rising, who's responsible, and what we ought to do about it. These conversations can be confusing, politically motivated, and full of opaque math and jargon-y terminology. On this month's episode, Montana Free Press's Eric Dietrich helps us see through the political messaging from across the spectrum and get at the heart of the question: what services to we expect from our government, and who should be financially responsible for those services?

PLUS, a bonus mini-interview with Brandon DeMars of Middle Fork Strategies, where we break down the math and message behind TaxShiftMT.com.

You can read Eric's reporting on property taxes (and more!) at this link.

Forward Montana is on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana. Learn more about us at www.forwardmontana.org.

This episode was hosted and edited by Izzy Milch.

40. Growing Pains in Glendive with Mayor Teresea Olson and Shannon Kadrmas Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

UPDATE: Shortly after recording this episode, Teresea resigned from the position of Mayor of Glendive. As we approach municipal elections this fall, we're taking some time to talk about local government - specifically, local government in Glendive, Montana. Over the last few months, tensions have mounted surrounding the Glendive City Council, Mayor Teresea Olson, and city's now-former Director of Operations. At the center of it all is are some big questions: Who has the right to participate in local government, and how far does that right extend? Joining us on the podcast this month are Mayor Teresea Olson - the first woman to hold that office in Glendive - and local veteran and engaged citizen, Shannon Kadrmas. We talk about transparency, accountability, and just how much the people of Glendive have a right to know about their government. You can follow Forward Montana on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana. Our website is www.forwardmontana.org. This episode was hosted and edited by Izzy Milch.

39. Queer, There and Everywhere: Pride in Small Town Montana Jul 29, 2023

Show notes

This week, we're joined by Cheyenne from Butte Pride and Kelly and Kayla from the Anaconda Pride Foundation to hear about their experiences planning and pulling off Pride events in small-town Montana earlier this summer. We talk about how unique and crucial these events are in smaller and more rural communities and share lessons we've all learned from organizing with and for LGBTQ2S+ Montanans.

You can keep up with Butte Pride on Instagram @butte_pride. Anaconda Pride Foundation is on Facebook at this link.

You can find Forward Montana on Instagram and Twitter (are we calling it X now? What's up with that?) @forward_montana. Our website is www.forwardmontana.org. You can learn more about our open positions at this link!

38. Young Montanans Are Making Climate History! w/ Sierra Club's Caitlin Piserchia Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

This week, we sat down with Caitlin Piserchia, Program Director at the Montana Chapter of the Sierra Club, to chat about Held v Montana-- the historic youth-led climate case currently making its way through Montana's courts. We talk through the unique protections of Montana's Constitution, how we can all best support youth climate advocates as they fight for our collective future, and so much more!

Join us and our friends at Families for a Livable Climate on June 21st from 7-8PM for a virtual Q&A with youth plaintiffs from the case! This is a great opportunity to hear directly from plaintiffs about what it’s like to participate in the FIRST youth-led and the FIRST constitutional climate lawsuit to go to trial in the nation. RSVP (and submit your questions!)at this link: https://www.livableclimate.org/events.

You can find the Montana Chapter of Sierra Club on Instagram @sierraclubmontana, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MontanaSierraClub, and online at https://www.sierraclub.org/montana.

To learn more about the Held v Montana case, head to youthvgov.org/held-v-montana.

Forward Montana is on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana, and online at forwardmontana.org.

37. SINE DIE! Reflecting on the 2023 Legislative Session May 10, 2023

Show notes

Well, we’ve made it. After five long months, a slew of national news headlines, and a nearly unfathomable number of bills and resolutions passed, the 68th Montana Legislative Session is finally, blessedly over. So what comes next?

First, we rest. Then, we continue– with municipal elections this fall, communities to build back up, and rulemaking processes that will determine how these new laws are implemented, there’s a long road ahead of us. We hope you’ll join us.

For this week’s wrap-up episode of What the Helena, we decided to focus less on the nuts and bolts of policy change (although that’s in here, too) and more on our advocacy team’s experience watching the legislative session unfold. In a system that can feel so dehumanizing, it feels more important than ever to bring everything back to what ought to matter most: the people of Montana. So, here it is: sine die!

Big shoutout to Montana rapper and producer, Farch, for blessing the world and our show with Party Rock Matt Regier.

This episode was hosted by Forward Montana's Legislative Advocacy Team: Kat Elam, Chloe Runs Behind, Zach Mangels, and Izzy Milch. This episode was edited by Cassidy Reeves and Izzy Milch.

You can follow along with our work and everything that comes next on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana and online at forwardmontana.org.

36. 4/20 Special - Weed Is for Everyone with Max Savage Levenson Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

We're thrilled to present a very special holiday episode of What the Helena! To celebrate 4/20, Izzy sat down with Max Savage Levenson, a journalist covering cannabis policy in the state and the man behind Big Sky Chat House. Topics include updates on the state of weed policy in Montana (and this legislature's proposed changes to that landscape), federal movement on cannabis regulation, and our legislative dream blunt rotations. Through it all, one thing is clear: weed has the power to unite us across difference.

You can follow Forward Montana on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana. Learn more about us at forwardmontana.org.

This episode was hosted by Izzy Milch, and edited by Cassidy Reeves and Izzy Milch.

35. Constitutional Changes and Another Zombie Bill Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

This week, we cover some of the legislature's proposed amendments to the Montana Constitution, updates on some of the anti-trans bills we've covered so far this session, and the attempted revival of the failed LR-131 measure that appeared on the 2022 ballot.

Read the full What the Helena newsletter & check out all our calls to action at this link.

What the Helena is hosted by Forward Montana's Advocacy Team and edited by Cassidy Reeves.

34. If It's Not Broken, Don't "Fix" It Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

We're back from transmittal break and off to the races! The second half of the session has already brought a handful of proposals to amend Montana's Constitution (a Constitution that Montanans overwhelmingly want to preserve). We discuss these amendments, partisan gerrymandering, some of the controversial bills already being heard in their second chamber, and more on this episode of What the Helena!

To read the full What the Helena newsletter and check out this week's calls to action, follow this link.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to make your voice heard in community, look no further! Forward Montana is hosting weekly Monday night “Write for our Rights” gatherings, where we discuss the bills moving that week and take action together. RSVP here for the Zoom link, and we’ll see you there!

You can follow Forward Montana on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana. Learn more about us at forwardmontana.org.

What the Helena is hosted by Forward Montana's Advocacy Team and edited by Cassidy Reeves.

33. No Place Like (A) Home with Nathan Dugan from Shelter WF Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

This week is all about the money! Where's it going, and who's putting it there? We're past the transmittal deadline for general bills, which means the next couple weeks will bring their share of revenue bills, budget fights, and attempts to change Montana's Constitution. We dig into some of those proposals this week.

Plus, we sat down with Nathan Dugan, co-founder of Shelter WF. We talk about some of the housing-related legislation moving through the legislature, how Shelter WF went from a homegrown organization to the driving force between one of the biggest housing reform bills of the session, and more!

Learn more about Shelter WF and their work at https://www.shelterwf.org/.

Forward Montana is on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana. You can learn more about us at forwardmontana.org.

What the Helena is hosted by Forward Montana's Issue Advocacy Team. This episode was edited by Izzy Milch (with immense gratitude for Cassidy's hard work doing this every week!).

32. Fast and Furious Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to another week of What the Helena! As we barrel toward transmittal, bills are flying through the legislative process at baffling rates and we're all trying our best to keep up. We're thrilled to report that, since the recording of this episode, SB 441, the attempt at reviving the Ballot Interference Protection Act, seems to have died a quiet, uneventful death. Take that, zombie!

Want more information about how to contact your legislators, testify on bills, and otherwise engage with this fast-and-furious process? Check out our Legislative Resource Guide!

You can view the full What the Helena newsletter along with this week's calls to action here.

Forward Montana is on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana; find us online at forwardmontana.org

What the Helena is hosted by Forward Montana's Advocacy Team and edited by Cassidy Reeves.

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