What the Helena

Latest Episodes:

11. Decorum, Personhood, and Regulation Rollbacks ft. Brian Hoffman Mar 21, 2021

Show notes

Folks, we have a LOT to talk about this week. In this episode, we get into the legislature's decorum debate, a big bad law-and-order bill, the "personhood amendment," hate-based legislation, and MORE. Plus, we chat with Forward Montana's Flathead Lead Organizer, Brian, about organizing in the time of COVID-19, anti-vaxxers, homeoprophylaxis (what?!), and legislative attacks to public health.

Events this week:

Tuesday, March 23 -- Voting Rights Happy Hour

Wednesday, March 24 -- Climate Justice and Public Lands Happy Hour

Take action on the bills mentioned in this episode!

NO to SB201 and SB237

NO to HB176

NO to HB406

NO to HB112 and HB427

10. Separation of Church and Hate ft. Laura Terrill Mar 14, 2021

Show notes

As we launch into the second half of the legislative session, there are still plenty of bills on the chopping block. In this episode, we cover updates on discriminatory "religious freedom" bills, the Native American Voting Rights Act, Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, and (more) bills benefiting only the wealthiest Montanans. PLUS, we talk with Laura Terrill from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana about her hopes, fears, and what this session could mean for reproductive healthcare in the state. If you already read our written newsletter and want to jump straight to this interview, skip to 12:30!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

March 15 - Rainbow Rally at the Capitol (masks required!)

March 16- We’re Here, We’re Queer, We’re Really F*cking Tired - a space for LGBTQ+ Montanans to vent, dream, and plan together

March 17 - Town Hall with Rep. Alice Buckley and Rep. Emma Kerr Carpenter

To support Indigenous-led organizations doing the work to address our state's MMIP epidemic, check out MMIP Montana Reporting, Sisters United, Western Native Voice, or theSnowbird Fund.

Follow these links to take action on all of the bills mentioned this week:

9. BONUS EPISODE: What Is Climate Justice? ft. Gallatin County's Sunrise Movement Mar 03, 2021

Show notes

We have a very special midweek episode for you! While the legislature takes its transmittal break, FMT climate geniuses Madison and Eliza are talking all things climate justice with Lila Waters and Lucy Hochschartner from Gallatin County's Sunrise Movement. You don't wanna miss this one.

Follow Gallatin County's Sunrise Movement on Instagram.

8. Silencing Protests, Superfunds, and Sunrise! ft. Gallatin County Sunrise Movement Feb 28, 2021

Show notes

We're rapidly approaching the halfway point of this legislative session, and things are WILD in Helena. Headlines this week include the good, the bad, and the ugly of voting rights, First Amendment encroachments, and housing bills galore. Stick around for a teaser of a very special upcoming bonus episode: a conversation with Lila and Lucy from Gallatin County's Sunrise Movement, facilitated by FMT's very own climate superstars, Madison and Eliza! Catch the full interview this Wednesday. RSVP here to attend our Town Hall with Representatives Alice Buckley and Emma Kerr-Carpenter this Tuesday! To check how your representative voted on HB320, click here; if they voted NO, send them a quick thank-you! Send Sen. Chris Pope a virtual high-five for his climate advocacy. Send messages to representatives and committees here.

7. Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Robin Hood! Feb 21, 2021

Show notes

We're comin' at ya this week with updates on the slew of anti-LGBTQ bills moving through the legislature, attempts to define who is welcome on the stolen land that is Montana, problematic bison bills, and more. But don't worry, it's not ALL bad news! We also get to talk about a GOOD tax bill, plus a legislator who's going above and beyond to keep their constituents in the loop this session.

Donate to mutual aid networks in Texas and follow our affiliate, MOVE Texas, to support folks on the ground.

Send your legislators a message here.

Check out Montana Wilderness Association’s slick one-click tool to send your representatives a message to keep public lands in public hands.

See Montana Audubon’s action alert on these tricky bison bills.

Donate to the InterTribal Buffalo Council to support tribal bison restoration!

Subscribe to Rep. Kelly Kortum's weekly newsletter!

Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860 - A confidential, 24/7 hotline to talk with a trans peer

TrevorLifeline: (866) 488-7386 - For LGBTQ+ folks to talk to a trained counselor, available 24/7

6. Tribal Sovereignty and Tax Trickery ft. Keaton Sunchild Feb 14, 2021

Show notes

It may be sub-zero in Montana right now, but it's getting HOT in Helena! If you thought we were coming in with candy hearts and sweet nothings, think again, lovebugs. This week, we talk voter suppression (STILL!), tribal sovereignty, and tax cuts for the rich (booooo!). Plus, an interview with Keaton Sunchild from Western Native Voice, where we talked about some of the barriers to voting that Indigenous people in Montana face. -Xoxo, FMT.

Send a message to your legislators here.

Sign this petitionto speak out against irresponsible budget cuts!

Follow Western Native Voice on Twitter and Facebook.

Check out some of the organizations leading the fight against suicide and gun violence: Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Montana, andSuffer Out Loud Montana. The number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-TALK.

5. Voter Suppression, Monopolies, and Indigenous Peoples' Day! ft. The Leg Crew Feb 07, 2021

Show notes

On this week's episode, we dive into the incessant attacks on voting rights, energy monopolies, and a sneaky attempt to revive the death penalty. Plus, we'll talk about some folks who are fighting the good fight for Indigenous Peoples' Day in Montana! Featuring a very special guest appearance from the voices behind What the Helena: Forward Montana's legislative team!

4. A Glimmer of Hope! ft. Derek Hitt and James Burrows Jan 31, 2021

Show notes

This week, we get to bring you some GOOD NEWS! Plus, updates on voting rights, student debt, MMIP, and right-to-work legislation. Derek Hitt of the Missoula Carpenters Union and Central Labor Council and James Burrows of the Montana AFL-CIO join us for the lowdown on workers' rights and union power. Solidarity forever!

Drop your legislators a line here.

Follow the Indigenous Organizers Collective on Facebook.

Sign up for our Helena Huddle, taking place February 4th from 6-7pm!

3. Healthcare, Voting Rights, and LEAVE TRANS KIDS ALONE! ft. Steven-Bear Twoteeth, Maris Fessenden, and August Payton Jan 24, 2021

Show notes

This week, we talk reproductive rights, voting access, (good!) climate bills, and, AGAIN, attacks on trans kids. Plus, we hear from Steven-Bear Twoteeth, Maris Fessenden, and August Payton about their experiences with community, identity, and being transgender in Montana. You don't wanna miss it. Follow the Indigenous Organizers Collective. Drop your legislators a message at http://leg.mt.gov/web-messaging/. Follow us on Instagram @forward_montana for all the most up-to-date calls to action.

2. Guns, Wind, and MONEY MONEY MONEY ft. Heather O'Loughlin Jan 17, 2021

Show notes

What a week! On this episode of "What the Helena," we talk concealed carry, equality for transgender youth, reproductive health, voting rights, and MORE. Plus, we get the lowdown on the budget from Montana Budget and Policy Center co-director, Heather O'Loughlin. Spoiler alert: the budget is, like, SUPER important!

Care about reproductive healthcare? (Trick question, of course you do!) Contact your Representative ASAP at 406-444-4800 or drop them a line here, urging them to vote NO on HB136, HB171, HB140, and HB167.

If you're interested in submitting public comment on HB102, the bill that would allow concealed carry on campuses, contact Grace: grace@forwardmontana.org.

You can subscribe to the written version of our "What the Helena" newsletter here.

For all our most up-to-date calls to action, follow us on Instagram @forward_montana

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