AGP Executive Report

Rural Politics Watch: A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds President Trump’s approval among rural Americans fell to 50% in June, down from 60% in February 2025, as voters cite higher gas and grocery costs and frustration with the Iran conflict—an early warning for GOP midterm hopes. Federal Voting Data Fight: The DOJ is pressing states to hand over voter registration details (including names, addresses, and partial Social Security numbers) under “confidential” agreements, while multiple judges have dismissed parts of the effort and some Republican-leaning states have refused. Montana Public Lands & Courts: A federal judge ordered the Interior Department to restore interpretive exhibits removed from national parks, calling the changes an attempt to “rewrite” history. Medicaid Work Requirements: CMS released final rules for Medicaid work requirements, setting new expectations for millions of enrollees and forcing states to update systems. Montana Policy & Oversight: Rep. Ryan Zinke highlighted border-security and conservation progress in recent posts, keeping Montana’s federal-agenda ties in view.

Rural Politics: A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds Trump’s approval among rural Americans fell to 50% in June, with disapproval rising to 48% as fuel and food costs bite and anger grows over the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. Federal Voting Data: The DOJ is pushing states to share voter registration details (names, addresses, birth dates, and partial SSNs) under “confidential” agreements, while multiple judges have dismissed the effort as a “fishing expedition.” Health Policy: CMS issued final rules for Medicaid work requirements, setting new expectations for millions of enrollees and raising concerns about coverage losses tied to paperwork and portals. National Parks & History: A federal judge ordered the Interior Department to restore interpretive exhibits removed from national parks, calling the removals an attempt to “rewrite” history. Montana Governance: A Montana-focused op-ed warns Section 504 protections for disability access are at risk, arguing rural communities can’t afford to lose the civil-rights promise. State & Local Watch: Montana’s homelessness count rose on a single-night measure in 2025, though other data suggests the trend may be more mixed. Energy & Permitting: An opinion piece argues Congress must tackle permitting reform to speed energy infrastructure.

Federal Civil Rights: A Montana op-ed warns Section 504 protections for people with disabilities are at risk, arguing the rural state can’t afford to lose access guarantees in schools, clinics, housing, and local government. Public Lands & Wildlife: Another Montana voice pushes back on rescinding the Roadless Rule, saying fragmentation by roads is hard to reverse and that protections matter for the next generation. Medicaid Policy: The Trump administration’s final Medicaid work requirement rules are out, setting up a Jan. 1, 2027 rollout that states must enforce while trying to avoid coverage losses from paperwork hurdles. Immigration Enforcement: Reporting from Texas spotlights the scale and human impact of ICE operations in South Texas, with attention on detention practices and family separations. Montana Politics: State GOP Chairman Art Wittich urged Republicans to keep out “interlopers” and rally around conservative candidates, including Supreme Court races. State Courts & Ballots: A Montana Supreme Court ruling on ballot language for a “Montana Plan” initiative keeps election rules in focus. Environment & Federal Land Management: A BLM-related move lifts a national ban on M-44 “cyanide bombs” on BLM land, reigniting controversy over predator control and non-target harm. Local Governance: A Grangeville city dispute over building permit fee waivers highlights how municipal code limits what councils can do.

Montana Politics & Courts: Former Senate President Jason Ellsworth’s official misconduct case heads toward trial after a judge rejected his bid to dismiss the charges, while lifting his Senate suspension. Public Lands & Federal Policy: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to stop National Park Service censorship and restore removed interpretive materials and signs. Housing & Homelessness: New federal reporting shows Montana’s single-night homelessness count rose sharply from 2024 to 2025, even as other data suggests declines—highlighting how housing costs and undercounting complicate the picture. Immigration Enforcement & Health: Reporting on ICE detention operations spotlights slow public-health communication tied to measles concerns, raising risks for communities connected to Camp East Montana. State Government & Seniors: Montana leaders are pushing for stronger state oversight of Medicare Advantage, arguing current limits leave seniors without timely protection. Environment & Conservation: Conservation groups are challenging federal decisions affecting Montana bison grazing, keeping pressure on how public lands are managed. Local Governance: Grangeville officials say the city can’t waive double building permit fees under current code, and discuss airport-area land options. Sports & Community: The Great Northwest Challenge brings 2,000 high school rugby players from 35 states to Bozeman, underscoring Montana’s growing sports hub.

PFAS Litigation: 3M and DuPont asked a Montana federal judge to toss amended PFAS claims over firefighter turnout gear brought by out-of-state cities, arguing the new plaintiffs lack a Montana connection. Medicare Advantage Oversight: Montana leaders urged stronger state authority to protect seniors in Medicare Advantage, pushing federal changes that would let states intervene faster when plans fail on coverage, networks, or compliance. Elections & Ballot Language: The Montana Supreme Court approved new ballot language for I-194, the “Montana Plan,” tightening limits on political spending by “artificial persons” like nonprofits and corporations. Courts & Accountability: Former Senate President Jason Ellsworth heads toward trial on official misconduct; a judge rejected dismissal but lifted his Senate suspension. Immigration Enforcement: A federal jury convicted a Honduran woman in Montana on immigration-related charges after a traffic stop led to claims of illegal reentry and transporting an unlawfully present passenger. Public Safety & Military: A multinational exercise wrapped up at Fort Harrison, with scenarios spanning defense, border security, humanitarian response, and cybersecurity. Local Governance: Grangeville City Council debated airport-area land and permit fees, with city attorneys saying the council can’t waive double building permit fees under current code. Health & Food Access: Montana’s SUN Bucks summer program is set to distribute $120 per eligible child for groceries, with eligibility tied to school meals, Medicaid, SNAP, foster care, and homelessness. Environment & Data: A new Montana tool, TroutCast, aims to predict river conditions and future fish populations, potentially reshaping how anglers plan and how the state manages trout habitat.

Montana Elections: The Montana Supreme Court approved revised ballot language for I-194, “The Montana Plan,” a measure that would restrict political spending by “artificial persons” like corporations and nonprofits, with penalties tied to forfeiting business privileges. Federal Courts: Montana’s federal courthouses will close June 19 for Juneteenth, pushing hearings and court services to later dates. Border & Immigration: A new wave of reporting and watchdog findings keeps spotlighting detention conditions and waste, including alarms tied to Camp East Montana at Fort Bliss and other ICE facilities. Public Lands & Wildlife: Conservation groups are appealing bison grazing decisions on Montana public lands, arguing impacts to habitat and management. State Budget & Schools: Montana’s trust land permanent investment fund hit the $1 billion milestone, with earnings dedicated to K-12 funding. Local Governance: Missoula approved $945,000 in grants to help formerly homeless residents maintain housing through its Pathways to Housing Stability program. Animal Health: New World screwworm has been detected in Texas, triggering quarantine and tightened interstate animal movement rules. Energy/Tech & Land Use: Missoula-area residents are organizing against a proposed Bonner data center, citing water use and tax incentive concerns.

Medicaid Work Rules: The Trump administration released final federal rules requiring many Medicaid enrollees to document work or other qualifying activities, with most states facing a Jan. 1, 2027 rollout and major scrambling to update systems. DNI Pick: Trump announced Jay Clayton as his next director of national intelligence, setting up a June 17 Senate confirmation hearing. ICE Oversight Failures: A new GAO report says mismanagement at a Texas ICE detention camp led to detainee deaths, with “missing or destroyed” materials tied to one case and millions wasted on contractors. Bison Grazing Fight: American Prairie and conservation groups are appealing federal decisions ending bison grazing on Montana BLM parcels, arguing the agency’s interpretation is unlawful and politically driven. Nonpartisan Courts Ballot Drive: Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts submitted signatures for a constitutional amendment to keep judicial elections nonpartisan, aiming for a November vote. Montana Politics & Elections: A Montana ballot initiative effort also targets campaign finance transparency, while a separate push seeks to add nonpartisan judicial elections to the state constitution. Public Safety Hearings: Missoula County held a packed hearing on feral horses at Miller Creek, with residents pressing for humane management and clearer authority.

Inflation Watch: New May data shows Americans paying 4.2% more for food, energy, and other essentials than a year ago, with energy costs rising after U.S. military strikes on Iran and shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. Foster Care & Finance: First Lady Melania Trump announced “Fostering the Future Accounts,” letting states open $1,000 investment accounts for eligible foster children, with Montana among the participating states. Immigration Oversight: A federal GAO report blasts Camp East Montana’s management, citing “millions of dollars of waste,” weak oversight, and safety and medical lapses at the Texas ICE facility. Montana Elections & Spending: The Montana Supreme Court certified ballot language for a “Transparent Election Initiative” aimed at limiting corporate election spending, keeping the fight over Citizens United-style rules alive. Medicare Advantage Accountability: Montana officials and seniors’ advocates are pushing for stronger state enforcement of Medicare Advantage rules, arguing CMS delays leave consumers exposed. Public Lands & Wildlife: American Prairie and conservation groups appealed BLM’s decision to end bison grazing leases on Montana parcels, saying the reversal is political and harms prairie restoration. Defense Training: CENTCOM will wrap its 30th Regional Cooperation Exercise at Fort Harrison, Montana, after two weeks of multinational readiness training.

Immigration Enforcement & Oversight: A new federal watchdog report says ICE’s Camp East Montana at Fort Bliss was rushed into operation, wasting $11.5 million on meals before detainees arrived and citing security and medical failures, including missing or destroyed records tied to deaths. Border Security Funding: Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a 22-state coalition urging Congress to pass long-term funding for CBP and ICE, arguing shortfalls have already disrupted operations. Election Integrity Push: DHS directed ICE to pursue stricter penalties for noncitizens who illegally vote, tying the move to Trump’s election-integrity order. Montana Ballot & Courts: The Montana Supreme Court approved revised language for the Transparent Election Initiative after Knudsen flagged wording that could mislead voters; meanwhile, a judicial election ballot measure submitted signatures, while property tax measures reportedly won’t advance. Local Montana Politics: Valley County primary results show U.S. Senate contests moving to November, and Lake County’s HD 13 race is set after Finley Warden’s win. Energy & Land Use: Dawson County voters backed a wind-energy height limit, while Montana continues grappling with climate and rural infrastructure tradeoffs. Public Safety & Accountability: Separate reporting highlights safety questions around Aramark’s Teton Tour Company after two fatal snowmobile trips in four days.

Immigration Oversight: A new GAO watchdog report says ICE’s Camp East Montana in Texas suffered serious safety and management failures, including millions wasted before detainees arrived, medical neglect, and missing or destroyed evidence tied to a detainee death. Montana Politics & Governance: Montana’s Supreme Court certified a ballot measure on corporate election spending, a reminder that campaign finance fights are moving from courts to the ballot. Wildfire Policy Conflict: ProPublica reports Sen. Tim Sheehy pushed to loosen Forest Service airworthiness inspections for firefighting aircraft even as a Forest Service inspector flagged a crack in a Bridger Aerospace scooper—raising questions about oversight and conflicts. Public Lands & Wildlife: Conservation groups won a partial legal victory over Montana grizzly and bull trout habitat impacts tied to road access changes, though the judge said more arguments are needed on next steps. Energy & Cost of Living: GasBuddy price reports show scattered Montana lows for diesel and gasoline in late May, while broader national prices remain volatile amid Middle East shipping risks. National Security: The U.S. carried out strikes on Iran after a helicopter crash near the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran vowing retaliation and water infrastructure claims adding to regional stakes.

Public Lands Under Pressure: A new analysis says the 119th Congress has introduced 81 “antiparks” bills, with a small caucus driving most of them—ranging from weakening protections to pushing land sales and loopholes in conservation law. Montana Courts & Immigration Records: Gallatin County is fighting the Montana AG in a Montana Supreme Court dispute over access to court records tied to immigration enforcement, with Knudsen calling it a “political question.” Election Integrity in Montana: Montana has kicked off its post-election audit for the 2026 primary, with random race/precinct selections and county hand-count reviews starting June 16. Missoula Cold Case: Prosecutors filed deliberate homicide charges in the 1990 murders of two Riverside Health Care Center residents, using modern DNA testing. Detention Oversight Fallout: A GAO report says Camp East Montana wasted up to $11.5 million before detainees arrived and cites serious medical and security failures. Statewide Governance & Services: The SSA commissioner is set to testify before Congress amid scrutiny over staffing cuts and long waits, arguing service is improving.

Immigration Oversight: A new GAO report says the Trump-era Camp East Montana detention center at Fort Bliss in Texas was rushed into operation, failed required inspections, and suffered unsafe conditions—unsanitary housing, weak tuberculosis controls, inadequate medical care, and a lost loaded firearm—while also flagging missing or destroyed material tied to a detainee death. Montana Politics & Courts: Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell asked the Montana Supreme Court to keep her dispute with Attorney General Austin Knudsen moving, arguing the fight is about statutory interpretation over criminal-justice information requests. Border Funding Push: Montana AG Austin Knudsen joined a coalition urging Congress to pass the Secure America Act to provide long-term funding for CBP and ICE, warning against “political bargaining chips” that leave agencies under-resourced. Medicaid Enforcement: New York AG Letitia James and partners secured a $36.5 million CVS settlement over Medicaid insulin overbilling. Property Tax Ballot: Sen. Wylie Galt suspended his effort to cap local property tax increases at 2% per parcel, citing feedback and a push for a broader legislative solution. Federal Services: The SSA commissioner is set to testify before a House committee as lawmakers press on staffing cuts, long waits, and benefit-payment performance. Energy Prices: GasBuddy data shows Montana premium and midgrade prices easing slightly in the week ending May 30, with county-by-county lows reported across the state.

Montana Legal Fight: Gallatin County attorney Audrey Cromwell is asking the Montana Supreme Court to rein in Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s “supervisory control” takeover of her office, arguing the state law interpretation could force her to give incorrect legal advice and expose the county to penalties. Public Lands & Wildlife: Western Watersheds Project has appealed a Bureau of Land Management decision revoking American Prairie’s bison grazing permits in northeastern Montana, saying the agency flipped course using a new standard without defining it. State Government & Health Policy: Montana Auditor James Brown announced support for Congressman Troy Downing’s PARTNERS Act, aimed at giving states more enforcement power over Medicare Advantage requirements. Education & Tech: Montana school boards are starting to consider adopting generative AI guidelines, using Montana School Board Association language that stresses student privacy and cautions against feeding student data into free AI tools. Agriculture & Community: Missoula’s Farm Connect Montana launched the Western Montana Food and Farm Trail, linking 80+ farms, restaurants, and breweries along Highway 93. Wildfire Preparedness: Missoula County is updating its Community Wildfire Protection Plan, shifting from pure suppression toward living with recurring smoke and building safer homes. National Politics With Montana Stakes: Senators asked the DOT inspector general to investigate Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s corporate-donor-funded road trip video series, raising ethics and spending questions.

SNAP Restrictions: USDA lists 23 states, including Montana, rolling out limits on SNAP purchases of non-nutritious items like soda and candy, with staggered start dates through summer and fall. Food Insecurity in Montana: Livingston’s “21 Cows” initiative is mobilizing ranchers and meat processors to replace protein lost after federal commodity cuts, as pantry visits surge. Montana Senate Race: Democrat Alani Bankhead won her primary and will face Republican Kurt Alme and independent Seth Bodnar in the general election. Property Tax Fight: GOP Sen. Wylie Galt suspended a proposed 2% property tax cap ballot initiative just weeks before signature deadlines. Forest Service Shakeup: A whistleblower letter says Montana could see major staffing impacts from the Forest Service reorganization, far beyond official projections. Public Lands & Wildlife: Conservation groups appealed BLM’s eviction of 940 bison from Montana public lands, calling it politically driven. Wildfire Planning: Missoula County is updating its wildfire protection plan, shifting toward living with fire risk and emphasizing individual responsibility. Grizzlies & Federal Logging: A federal court challenge targets a Helena-area logging and burning project in grizzly connectivity habitat. Health Policy: A CNN roundup notes Montana’s medical aid in dying option exists via court ruling, with terminal-illness requirements. Energy & Prices: GasBuddy reports show volatile fuel costs in Montana counties, with several “lowest price” listings tied to limited station counts.

Montana Defense & Federal Presence: A specialized U.S. Air Force jet (Venus 71) landed in Missoula for a training mission, with no temporary airspace restrictions reported—raising questions about who was aboard and why the stop mattered. Public Safety & Military Readiness: German Bundeswehr personnel trained alongside the Montana Army National Guard through the Military Reserve Exchange Program, including weapons qualification and public affairs unit updates. Health Policy: A new push to enforce Medicaid work requirements threatens coverage for millions, with critics warning states could terminate benefits through paperwork-heavy verification. Courts & Rights: Federal judges are facing threats after rulings against the Trump administration, underscoring the political heat around the judiciary. Environment & Public Lands: Viewpoints and policy debate continue over Montana’s land management and access fights, including concerns tied to federal permitting and sovereignty. Education: Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Matt Jensen was named regional Superintendent of the Year, now in the running for statewide recognition. Economy Watch: Gas prices stayed volatile, with multiple Montana counties reporting the week’s lowest midgrade and diesel deals.

Public Lands & Energy: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren unveiled a plan to end new oil and gas leasing on federal lands, promising a first-day moratorium on new drilling and a rollback of Trump-era rules. Montana Land Policy: A Montana opinion piece argues state land swaps are getting more political after authority shifted toward the Land Board, raising concerns about access and protections for public parcels. Wildlife Management: Yellowstone’s wolf count fell to 84 wolves in eight packs in 2025, with low pup survival and disease suspected; Wyoming meanwhile cut its wolf hunt by half after a distemper outbreak. Courts & Access: Montana Backcountry Hunters and Anglers filed suit over “corner crossing,” saying hundreds of thousands of acres rely on it for public access. Local Government: Kalispell City Council is considering Safe Haven Baby Boxes at fire stations after public lobbying. Military & Community: Montana’s Army National Guard 103rd Public Affairs Detachment welcomed new specialists, while a German officer trained with Montana Guard troops through an exchange program. Economy Watch: Montana’s motor vehicle license tax collections rose in 2024, according to Census data.