AGP Executive Report

School Choice Fight: The Trump administration rolled out rules for a new federal school choice tax credit, but some states are opting out while teachers’ unions and Democratic governors warn it drains money from public schools. Montana Ballot Process: Montana’s Constitutional Initiative 133 would tighten protections for the initiative process, aiming to stop the Legislature from making it harder to put measures on the ballot. Local Elections: Prairie County voters will weigh a nearly $2 million Terry Public Schools bond and a county road levy increase, with absentee ballots going out Oct. 9. Data Center Court Battle: The Montana Supreme Court declined to rehear an order that would have required Butte-Silver Bow to add a data-center initiative question to the general election ballot. Rural Health: Gov. Gianforte and CMS/DPHHS announced $8.7 million for rural EMS agencies, including 4 new ambulances. Public Lands: A River Runs Through It Act seeks a negotiated approach to managing parts of western Montana’s forests and recreation, including wilderness and roadless-related changes. Death Penalty Scrutiny: A botched Tennessee execution is renewing national scrutiny of lethal injection practices.

Death Penalty Scrutiny: Tennessee’s botched execution of Christa Pike has prompted Gov. Bill Lee to halt executions and order a third-party review, raising fresh legal and policy questions about lethal injection drugs and process. Immigration Enforcement in Montana: A Montana law firm and nonprofit estimate more than 250 ICE/CBP arrests in the state this year and are pushing court action over alleged warrantless arrests and coerced due-process waivers. Montana Ballot Fight Over Dark Money: A new “Montana Plan” initiative would bar corporate funding of campaigns and political action committees, aiming to force more election spending to be traceable to real people; Republicans warn it could chill small businesses. Medicaid Work Rules Confusion: Montana’s early rollout of Medicaid work requirements is drawing confusion and anxiety among patients as the state clarifies when people must prove compliance. Courts & Environment: A Montana judge vacated the Clearwater gravel mine permit, citing constitutional flaws in DEQ’s public participation process. Energy & Wildlife Policy: Legal challenges are heating up over proposed Endangered Species Act changes that critics say could weaken protections and enable broader development. Local Governance & Services: Rural Montana EMS agencies are set to receive $8.7 million for ambulances and lifesaving equipment, while mortgage rates are climbing and squeezing homebuyers. Election Watch: Montana’s hottest House race is seeing heavy attack-ad spending and “poll fishing,” with independent voters emerging as a key swing bloc.

School Choice Push: The Trump administration proposed a new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit that would let families use taxpayer-backed funds for private school and homeschooling in at least 30 states, with public-school students able to use money for extra learning expenses. Montana Courts & Elections: Montana’s ballot measures are heating up, including CI-132’s push to keep judicial elections nonpartisan and I-194’s attempt to curb “dark money” that critics say could punish ordinary political speech by businesses and nonprofits. Data Centers Backlash: A new poll finds nearly 75% of Montana voters oppose new data centers in their area, with the issue shaping how people decide who to vote for. Healthcare Politics: Medicare For All is getting a fresh critique from Dr. Roger Stark, while the Trump administration begins mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states. Public Safety & Local Governance: Montana voters also face election coverage tied to county offices and forums, while Wolf Point’s council discussed local ordinances ranging from chickens to cannabis licensing. National Security: Sen. Tim Sheehy says the Pentagon is moving toward a centralized drone and robotics structure, as Congress debates how to organize autonomous warfare.

Montana Politics & Courts: A retired U.S. marshal backs CI-132, arguing Montana courts must stay free of politics and money. Election 2026: Battleground Democrats are distancing themselves from AOC and other 2028 contenders, signaling tighter messaging as midterms approach. Public Safety & Immigration: A new lawsuit seeks to stop warrantless immigration arrests in Montana, after a federal judge ordered releases tied to constitutional limits. Health Care & Cost of Living: Trump’s administration is mailing $500 Obamacare rebate checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, while Montana’s Medicaid work rules rollout is drawing confusion. Environment & Energy: Montana officials praised EPA’s rollback of power-plant emissions rules, even as watchdog groups challenge the move; a court vacated a Clearwater gravel mine permit over DEQ’s process. Local Government & Infrastructure: Billings firefighters will rappel to remove graffiti on the Rims; Beaverhead reopened the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway with burn-area hazard warnings. Economy & Jobs: TSA is hiring in Montana as passenger growth continues, including at Bozeman.

Medicaid & health access: Montana’s Medicaid work requirements are rolling out, and patients say the rules are confusing—highlighting how state policy can collide with real-life coverage needs. Rural emergency response: Montana sent nearly $9 million for rural EMS upgrades, including new ambulances and equipment for dozens of agencies, a practical boost ahead of winter. Elections & political spending: A new ballot measure on political spending (I-194) targets corporate money in Montana elections, while local groups push for nonpartisan judicial elections and debate “dark money” in courtrooms. Wildlife governance: The Trump administration’s “safety net” plan for grizzly delisting puts Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming in the driver’s seat—raising stakes for how predator management is handled. Public lands & Yellowstone: Commentary warns Yellowstone’s ecosystem is at risk if federal wildland protections shrink, tying national policy to Montana’s wildlife future. Data centers: DEQ is taking public comment on Quantica’s water supply plan for a major data center project, as rural communities elsewhere fight the broader impacts of data-center growth. Federal politics: The U.S. Senate blocked a measure demanding a West Bank violence report, underscoring ongoing partisan friction over Israel policy.

AI Guardrails in Montana Politics: A new push is forming against relying on AI self-regulation, with a growing slate of November candidates backing stricter government oversight and safety rules—an issue already shaping how voters sort candidates. Rural EMS Funding: Montana is sending nearly $9 million for rural and frontier emergency medical services upgrades, including new ambulances and equipment for dozens of agencies. Kratom Derivatives Crackdown: Montana leaders are calling for clearer rules on 7-OH, citing overdose deaths and arguing the legislature needs definitions that make enforcement easier. Wildlife Management Fallout: Fish, Wildlife and Parks euthanized 14 black bears near Bozeman after investigators found them “extremely food conditioned,” underscoring the risks of illegal supplemental feeding. Election & Campaign Finance: In a Montana Senate race forum, Alani Bankhead and independent Seth Bodnar traded barbs over outside spending and “dark money” claims. Data Privacy Alert: A Montana pharmacy, Ridgeway Pharmacy in Victor, is facing a reported data breach tied to a vendor-built website, with potential exposure of sensitive health and payment information. Local Government Race: Bozeman resident Dan Hill announced his run for Gallatin County Commission, pitching integrity, transparency, and affordability.

Montana Courts & Elections: A new push to keep partisan politics out of Montana courtrooms is tied to support for Constitutional Initiative 132, arguing business needs judges who stay nonpartisan and consistent. Montana Wildlife & Public Lands: The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission rejected two citizen petitions—one seeking 24-hour trap checks and another requiring bear spray in grizzly habitat—while advancing a draft predator management policy for more public review. Medicaid Work Rules: Confusion and anxiety are growing after Montana’s early rollout of Medicaid work requirements, with at least one Missoula resident saying state letters gave conflicting timelines. Butte Data Center Ballot: Montana Supreme Court action vacated a prior decision and again put the Butte data center issue in flux, with ballots already sent. Energy & Federal Policy: Montanans are weighing a federal proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, raising stakes for wildfire management, water, and wildlife around Big Sky. National Politics & Money: Senate Democrats accuse Tether’s USDT of playing a “pervasive” role in Iran-linked shadow banking, while separate federal moves tied to a Tether-linked payment processor could affect tens of millions. Tech & Campaigns: New campaign disclosures show how much federal candidates and committees spend on AI tools, even as many campaigns stay quiet about how they use them. Wildfire Tech: Drones and AI are increasingly central to wildfire response, shifting from mapping to more active firefighting roles.

Montana Politics & Elections: AARP polling in North Carolina shows Democrat Roy Cooper leading Republican Michael Whatley 53%-42% with younger and Black voters driving the gap, a reminder that Montana’s own 2026 Senate and ballot fights are part of a wider national map. Wildlife & Federal Policy: An internal U.S. Fish and Wildlife memo reportedly narrows Endangered Species Act “take” rules to intentional harm only, raising alarms that it could weaken protections for Montana wildlife. Outdoor Recreation Governance: The U.S. Forest Service is moving to open most national forest trails to dirt bikes, ATVs, and 4x4s unless designated otherwise—sparking pushback from sportsmen and conservation groups. Montana Fish & Wildlife: The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to draft a predator management policy after earlier wolf quota controversy, while rejecting two citizen petitions on trap checks and mandatory bear spray. State & Local Government: Governors including Montana’s Greg Gianforte oppose a federal Missouri River water provision that would require basin-wide approval for diversions and exports. Economy & Daily Life: Montana unemployment held at 3.2% in August, while GasBuddy reports midgrade gas prices hovering around the mid-$4 range statewide. Community & Civic Life: Gov. Gianforte opened his fifth annual Youth Hunting Story Contest for ages 10-17, inviting young Montanans to submit stories and photos from legal hunts.

Montana Education & Elections: A new push for consistent Indian education is in the spotlight after Montana settled an ACLU-linked lawsuit over uneven implementation of the state’s Indian Education for All law, with tribal advocates saying districts have acted inconsistently despite clear legal duties. Public Safety & State Capacity: The Montana National Guard held “Headquarters for a Day” in Kalispell, bringing community leaders and state programs together to brief missions and capabilities. Health Policy: Nationally, HHS left more than $100 million of a $101 million teen pregnancy prevention pot undistributed before Sept. 30, with Montana grantees warning of layoffs and scaled-back classes. Energy & Reliability: The DOE announced major grid upgrade funding through SPARK, aiming to cut congestion and boost reliability—an issue that matters for Montana’s power planning. Courts & Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court’s sports ruling continues to ripple, while Montana’s own courts remain active on ballot and governance questions.

Energy Policy: The U.S. Department of Energy renewed an emergency order keeping Colorado’s Craig coal plant running through the end of the year, citing regional reliability concerns tied to wind and hydro variability and delayed battery storage buildout—an issue that directly affects the broader Northwest power region that includes Montana. Montana Civic & Military: Montana National Guard and the Department of Military Affairs held “Headquarters for a Day” in Kalispell, bringing senior leaders and community partners together to brief missions and priorities and showcase Guard capabilities. Montana Courts & Ballots: Montana Supreme Court action around the Butte data center ballot fight continues to move the measure on and off the ballot, underscoring how quickly election rules can shift late in the process. Wildlife & Federal Regulation: A leaked U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service memo would narrow how accidental killings are treated under the Endangered Species Act, potentially reshaping protections that Montana conservation groups say support grizzlies and bull trout. Sports & Culture: A Supreme Court ruling on transgender participation in women’s sports keeps the national debate hot, while Montana’s own sports coverage includes a big Grizzly football win over UC Davis. Local Costs: Gas prices in multiple Montana counties hit notable lows in the week ending Sept. 19, with regular and midgrade figures varying sharply by county.

Montana Elections & Courts: A major fight over “dark money” is heating up under Initiative 194 (“The Montana Plan”), which would bar corporations, unions, and other artificial entities from spending in state elections—an effort rooted in Montana’s long skepticism of money in politics and aimed at testing whether local rules can survive national scrutiny. Federal Environment: A leaked U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service memo would exempt accidental killings from the Endangered Species Act, potentially dismantling the incidental take permit system that helps regulate development impacts on species like grizzlies and bull trout. Public Lands & Recreation: The U.S. Forest Service is seeking to treat most national forest trails as open to ATVs, dirt bikes, and 4x4s unless specifically marked closed, a shift critics say could harm wildlife habitat and shared recreation. State Government & Labor: Montana’s neighbors are watching Washington’s bargaining deadline for union contracts that drive big parts of state and local budgets—raising transparency questions about deals struck behind closed doors. Montana Politics & Culture: Gov. Greg Gianforte launched his fifth Youth Hunting Story Contest for ages 10–17, pushing outdoor heritage through a 500-word story and photo submission. Energy Costs: New polling shows Trump’s net approval slipping in major beef states, including Montana, while GasBuddy price reports track steady regional fuel volatility across Montana counties.

Montana Courts & Governance: A settlement is nearing in a lawsuit over how Montana schools teach Native American history, with a judge granting preliminary approval and requiring clearer oversight and tribal involvement as schools show IEFA is integrated across curriculum areas, with final approval set for December. Local Government: A secession push is gaining momentum in rural northeastern Missoula County to form “County No. 57,” arguing for leaner, more responsive local control for Swan Valley and nearby communities. State Politics: Gov. Greg Gianforte launched the fifth annual Youth Hunting Story Contest for Montana youth ages 10–17, asking participants to submit up to 500-word stories and a photo for a chance at one of 10 awards. Energy & Cost of Living: GasBuddy reports show Montana regular gas averaging about $4.53 per gallon in the week ending Sept. 19, with some counties hitting lower single-station lows like Park County at $4.39 and Gallatin County at $4.29. Federal/Legal Watch: ExxonMobil’s fight with the Montana Department of Transportation over cleanup costs continues, with the company previously suing multiple parties tied to the Yale Oil area.

Native American Education Settlement: A Montana schools case over teaching Native American history is nearing the finish line, with a judge granting preliminary approval to a settlement that will require clearer oversight, curriculum integration, and tribal involvement; a final approval hearing is set for December. Local Government Power Shift: A secession push in Missoula County’s rural northeast is gaining steam as residents seek to form County No. 57, arguing for leaner, more responsive governance. County Budget Pressure: Park County commissioners postponed a decision on reallocating mills away from the public library, as the library warns reserves could be strained if funding is cut. Immigration Detention Waste: A federal watchdog report says the Trump administration wasted millions while rapidly expanding immigration detention, including unused tents and costly warehouse purchases. Exxon vs. MDT: ExxonMobil’s Montana cleanup fight continues, with the company pursuing cost recovery tied to the state transportation agency after earlier court moves. Border Crossing Timing: Canada’s Chief Mountain port of entry will close for the winter next week, with travelers directed to other crossings that stay open. Community Grants: Blaine County Community Foundation is accepting Montana Community Foundation grant applications through Oct. 15 for projects benefiting local residents.

Montana Courts & Ballot Access: The Montana Supreme Court vacated a Butte-Silver Bow data center initiative injunction after learning some ballots had already gone out, then put the measure back on the ballot—an unusual scramble that highlights how election timing can decide outcomes. Housing & Homelessness: Great Falls groups say homelessness is rising alongside housing costs and low vacancy, with a recent count of 231 unhoused people and advocates pointing to limited mental health services and too few Section 8 vouchers. Immigration Detention Oversight: A watchdog report says ICE wasted millions expanding detention without a strategic plan, including unused tents at Guantánamo and costly warehouse purchases later slated for sale—raising new questions about how federal dollars are spent. Gun Rights & Voting in the Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to take up cases that could reshape semiautomatic rifle bans and access to justice, including disputes tied to voting rules and who can sue over constitutional violations. State Politics & Campaign Integrity: A Montana-focused report alleges a candidate claimed she returned Planned Parenthood’s endorsement questionnaire when confirmations say she did not, while another story spotlights how Democrats are trying to win working-class voters with candidates from blue-collar backgrounds. Local Governance & Civic Trust: The Kalispell Chamber endorsed CI-132 to keep Montana judicial elections nonpartisan, arguing businesses need predictable, impartial rulings.

Public Health: Flathead County officials reported a measles exposure tied to a person who visited Glacier Highland (West Glacier), Logan Health Primary Care (Columbia Falls), and Amtrak Train No. 8 (eastbound) from Sept. 8–11, asking potentially exposed people to monitor symptoms for 21 days. Elections & Civic Trust: A Park County “Community Conversation” panel tackled health care, housing, data centers, public lands, dark money, and election integrity, with a League of Women Voters president urging residents that Montana elections are safe and fair. Montana Courts & Data Centers: The Montana Supreme Court vacated an injunction affecting Butte’s data center initiative after ballots had already been printed and mailed, keeping the measure in play. State Government Oversight: Montana lawmakers pressed for more transparency from Lottery Director Bob Brown over withheld emails tied to the Intralot contract. Energy & Regulation: The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission rejected a rule that would have required hunters and trappers to carry bear spray. Immigration Detention Watchdog: A GAO report says ICE wasted millions in a rushed detention expansion, including costly warehouse purchases and impractical sites. Local Development: Flathead County commissioners tabled the final plat for Lakeside’s luxury “Territory 1889” golf and lake club phase, citing concerns about meeting water and sewer district standards.

Capitol Renovation: The Capitol Complex Advisory Council voted to retire the aging “Lady Montana” statue and commission a replica after experts found major cracking and structural damage, with a current replica estimate of about $790,000. Courts & Ballots: The Montana Supreme Court vacated an injunction tied to Butte’s data center initiative, but the fight isn’t over—406 People First is seeking reconsideration after ballot-printing and mailing complications. Education Funding: A state K-12 funding study says Montana is short about $213 million statewide, with $433 million needed overall to meet basic “free quality” education costs. Energy Regulation: The Montana PSC sent NorthWestern Energy’s integrated resource plan back for deficiencies in modeling, documentation, load forecasting, and demand-side assumptions. Native Communities: A new report says tribal colleges face chronic federal underfunding and uneven philanthropy, threatening programs and support services. Immigration Detention Oversight: A GAO report says ICE’s detention expansion wasted millions and failed to plan for standards, including costly warehouse conversions. Election 2026 Politics: A Montana Free Press-Rutgers Eagleton poll finds cost of living and jobs/economy top voter concerns heading into midterms. Campaign Finance Debate: Initiative 194 (“The Montana Plan”) continues town halls aimed at limiting corporate political spending, arguing dark money drives outsized influence.