What the Helena

Latest Episodes:

31. "You Can't Legislate People's Feelings" with Meshayla Cox Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

This week, our Senior Organizing Manager Lyla Brown chatted with Meshayla Cox, the Founder and Principal Consultant at CoEquity Consulting. Meshayla and Lyla talked about SB 222, the state's unwillingness to grapple with an authentic version of history, and their hopes for a more honest and equitable future.

Check out the full What the Helena newsletter and all of this week's calls to action at this link.

Join us in Bozeman on March 11 for the Montana Youth Organizing Summit!

Looking for more tips and tricks for how to be involved in the legislative session? We've got you covered!

This episode was hosted by Forward Montana's Advocacy Team and our Senior Organizing Manager, Lyla Brown! What the Helena is edited by Cassidy Reeves.

30. Protect Trans Kids! with Senator Pat Flowers Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

This week in the session brought some exciting housing bills, threats to democracy, and (more) attacks on trans kids. We had the opportunity to sit down with Senator Pat Flowers to talk about his defense of Montana's trans youth, his take on the current political environment, and advice for other state legislators and everyday folks who are watching these anti-trans bills unfold.

You can view all of our time-sensitive calls to action and check out the full What the Helena newsletter at this link.

Join us in Bozeman on March 11th for the Montana Youth Organizing Summit: No Place Like (A) Home! RSVP here.

Stay in touch with Forward Montana on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana, and TikTok @forwardmontana. Learn more about us at forwardmontana.org.

This episode was hosted by Forward Montana's Issue Advocacy Team and edited by Cassidy Reeves.

29. Book Ban-Boozled with Martha Furman Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

This week, we got to sit down with Martha Furman, the former director of Imagine IF libraries in the Flathead. We talked about book bans, censorship, access to information, and more!

February always has us drowning in the good, the bad, and the ugly bills. To see which ones we're asking folks to take action on (and how), head to this link!

Remember - you can find step-by-step instructions for sending messages and giving public comment in our resource guide.

Join us in Bozeman on March 11 for the Montana Youth Organizing Summit: No Place Like (A) Home, where we’ll talk about all things housing in Montana! There’s no cost to attend, and limited lodging and travel assistance is available for folks who RSVP by February 10.

This episode was hosted by Forward Montana's Advocacy Team and edited by Cassidy Reeves.

28. Keep Showing Up! Feb 02, 2023

Show notes

We've made it a whole month into the legislative session, and y'all have shown TF up for the things that matter to you. We can't thank you enough!

This week, we talk money, freedom, trans rights, and more. Check out the full What the Helena newsletter and subscribe for weekly updates straight to your inbox at this link. No matter when you're listening to this episode, you can find all of this week's time-sensitive calls-to-action there, too!

We know the session moves fast, and it can be hard to know how and when to be involved. To find all of our tips, tricks, and resources in one place, check out our brand new Legislative Session Resource Guide!
Watch Sen. Susan Webber's in her opening statement where she talked about her own experience as a boarding school survivor...watch here.

You can follow Forward Montana on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana (check out our live-tweeting from the SB 99 hearing on Friday!) and on TikTok @forwardmontana. Learn more about us at forwardmontana.org.

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

27. The Problem with Party Politics ft. Former Rep. Mallerie Stromswold Jan 22, 2023

Show notes

In this week's episode, we talk about all kinds of power grabs: book bans, invasions of privacy, and decidedly undemocratic hearings. Plus, a special interview with Former Representative Mallerie Stromswold, one of the state's youngest elected officials who resigned her seat in the legislature last week.

Find out who your representatives are and how to contact them at this link. Then, ask them to support efforts to address Montana's crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People by voting YES on HB 163 and HB 18.

Send the House Judiciary Committee a message opposing HB 234 at this link.

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

This episode of What the Helena is hosted by Forward Montana’s advocacy team, with featured guest Mallerie Stromswold. This episode was edited by Cassidy Reeves.

26. Priority Check! Jan 15, 2023

Show notes

As we wrap up the second week of the legislative session, our lawmakers’ priorities are starting to crystallize. While these priorities fluctuate wildly from legislator to legislator, one thing’s for certain *Smash Mouth voice*: the bills start comin’ and they don’t stop comin’.

Don't have time to listen, but want to take action? Head to this link to check out our top 4 action items for the week!

Join us in Helena on January 20 for Protect Our Home: A Climate Advocacy Day! RSVP here, and we'll see you there!

Check out this article from Helena's KVTH about Gov. Gianforte's Red Tape Relief Plan and HB64.

Send a message in support of HB 163, which would extend the state's Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force, at this link.

Sign up at this link to give testimony or send a written comment in support of HB 233 - run, don't walk! You only have until 5PM on Monday to sign up.

Use this form to send the DPHHS a message opposing their functional ban on abortion for Medicaid recipients, or send them an email at hhsadminrules@mt.gov!

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

This episode of What the Helena is hosted by Izzy Milch and Kat Elam, and edited by Cassidy Reeves.

25. Here We Go Again! Jan 08, 2023

Show notes

Well, folks, we’ve made it through the first week of the 2023 legislative session! Buckle in, friends; this session’s going to be a wild one.

Toplines for this episode: rules fights, harm reduction, Indigenous justice, and, already, attacks on transgender youth.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Join us on January 20th for Protect Our Home: A Climate Advocacy Day-- RSVP at this link, and we’ll see you there!

Find out who your representatives are and how to contact them at this link: https://leg.mt.gov/map/

Read Dr. Shaawano Chad Uran's article on tribal sovereignty here: https://indiancountrytoday.com/archive/professor-breaks-down-sovereignty-and-explains-its-significance

Learn more about fentanyl exposure and the police-generated hysteria around it here: https://healthandjusticejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40352-021-00163-5

Send the Senate Judiciary Committee a message urging them to vote NO on SB 99 at this link: https://secure.everyaction.com/cFi2jFNEBUqL84J6sNRCfg2

Sign up for our NO on SB 99 phone and text bank here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdb2wpv547CrcgS5ggKaVwOqcqWc11BSZG19WgNJCAGmNqa2w/viewform

Finally, you can sign up to get What the Helena delivered to your inbox every week at https://forwardmontana.org/what-the-helena/

Stay up-to-date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana, and on TikTok @forwardmontana!

24. Lessons from MT's Most Interesting District with Jonathan Karlen Dec 18, 2022

Show notes

This week, we sat down with Representative-Elect Jonathan Karlen, who's getting ready to start his first term as the representative of Missoula County's House District 96. We chat about his experience running for office in one of Montana's most competitive districts, finding common ground with folks across the political spectrum, and how Montana's political landscape informed his campaign and his plans for the 2023 legislative session. The next time we talk to y'all, it will be to report out on the first week of the session!

You can follow Forward Montana on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana, and on TikTok @forwardmontana, or find us online at forwardmontana.org.

What the Helena is hosted and edited by Izzy Milch. The cover art for What the Helena was designed by Angie Hoàng.

23. The Election's Over. Now What? Nov 26, 2022

Show notes

As the dust settles from the 2022 election and we anxiously await the start of the legislative session, we thought we'd take a beat and reflect on the work we did this election cycle, our hot takes and lessons learned, and what it all means for the future of Montana. Here to chat through these big questions are Forward Montana's Executive Director, Kiersten Iwai, and our Director of Voter Engagement, Courtney Smith!

22. WTH Are LR-131 and C-48? Oct 26, 2022

Show notes

As we barrel toward the 2022 midterm election, you may be asking: WTH are these ballot initiatives? Where did they come from? How would they affect Montana? Great questions! To help us demystify LR-131 and C-48, we called in Hillary-Anne Crosby from the No LR-131 Campaign and Montana State Senator JP Pomnichowski.

To learn more about what's on your ballot and check out our independent, nonpartisan voter guide, head to forwardmontana.org/voterhub/.

Read the full text of HB 167, the bill that led to LR-131, at this link: https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2021/billpdf/HB0167.pdf

Hear the stories of families and healthcare providers who would be affected by LR-131 at NoLR131.org.

As always, you can find Forward Montana on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana, and on Tiktok @forwardmontana.

What the Helena is hosted and edited by Izzy Milch. The cover art for What the Helena was created by Angie Hoàng.

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