Tag: legislature
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Op-Ed: Judge Russ Fagg on why he’s voting yes on CI-132
Guest Column | By: Russ Fagg I’ve had the honor of serving as a District Court Judge in Yellowstone County for 22 years and, before that, as a Republican state legislator in Billings. When I served as a legislator, my job was to make policy. But when I served as a Judge, my job was…
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Montana Supreme Court Opinion: Ellingson v. State, 2026 MT 233
On Oct. 6, 2026, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that four provisions of SB 93, the 2023 law on citizen ballot initiatives, are unconstitutional and void. They include a $3,700 filing fee, a four-year ban on refiling similar measures, and legislative committee votes placed on petitions. Justice Beth Baker wrote the opinion. Read the full…
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What is Judicial Independence?
During the Montana Trial Lawyers Association’s Annual Convention – Seminar of the Masters – 2026 one of the panels addressed “Judicial Independence, Public Confidence, and Political Polarization: What Is Going On and What Can We Do”. Presenters were former Montana Associate Justice Pat Cotter; The Hon. Dana Christensen of the US District Court, and former governors…
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Free Press election guide now available
Montana Free Press has released its comprehensive election guide. From MTFP, “In the 2026 election, Montana voters will select candidates to fill six federal and state offices, plus 100 House seats and 25 Senate seats in the state Legislature. Elections can be baffling to track even for voters who diligently follow political news. This digital election…
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Legislative Assaults on State Courts in 2025
State legislatures retaliated against state courts that had struck down partisan gerrymanders, safeguarded direct democracy, and exerted independence from state political branches.