Tag Archives: Montana

Via press release from the SPLC: The Southern Poverty Law Center, along with its Montana co-counsel, filed suit in federal court today against the founder of a major neo-Nazi website who orchestrated a harassment campaign that has relentlessly terrorized a Jewish woman and her family with anti-Semitic threats and messages. The lawsuit describes how Andrew Anglin used his web forum, …

Montana Public Radio reports: A Montana legislative panel has rejected a bill that called for a statewide vote on whether to bar transgender people from using bathrooms and locker rooms that don’t match their gender at birth. The House Judiciary Committee voted 11-7 against the bill today. It is likely dead, though it could be revived if enough votes flip …

The Flathead Beacon reports: On Jan. 9, the city received a cover page of the required application for a march on Second Street from Memorial Park to City Hall on Jan. 16 from 4-7 p.m. A $65 money order was attached to the application, well short of the city’s required $125 fee for parades. Also, the application did not include …

Law News reports: The neo-Nazi website, The Daily Stormer, is advertising an “armed protest” in the city of Whitefish, Montana “against Jews, Jewish businesses and everyone who supports either.” The event is being organized by the site’s publisher Andrew Anglin as a result of ongoing controversy involving white nationalist Richard Spencer, and his mother who lives in Whitefish. The announcement, …

At the same moment he was telling his California supporters that he intends to take his battle to the Philadelphia convention, news outlets declared Bernie Sanders the winner of the Montana primary. At this writing he leads Hillary Clinton by five points. Montana awards 27 delegates. Earlier tonight Sanders was declared the winner of the North Dakota caucus.

NBC Montana reports: Following PayPal’s decision to cancel its expansion plans in North Carolina, Sen. Jon Tester and Gov. Steve Bullock today invited the multi-billion dollar company to open up shop in Montana. Tester and Bullock’s letter to PayPal President and CEO Dan Schulman outlined the many reasons why Big Sky Country is best place to do business and create …

JMG reader Mike points us to the above message from Democratic Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, who slams North Carolina and plugs tourism to his state in one tweet. Bullock is running for reelection against nutjob software mogul and anti-LGBT activist Greg Gianforte, who is a major donor to Focus On The Family and the Heritage Foundation. In addition to funding …

Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau has announced her bid for the US House. If elected, she will become the nation’s first openly gay Native American in Congress. The Great Falls Tribune reports: When Denise Juneau, the first Native American woman to win a statewide elective office in the country, introduced a woman she is dating at a Democratic political …

Via press release: In a press conference earlier today Governor Bullock celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. day by noting that it is time to “recommit to King’s values of compassion and equity” by expanding protections for LGBT people in Montana. He also spoke to Montana’s private business owners, stating “while an executive order applies to state government only I encourage …

Via the Associated Press: It took more than 10 years, several proposals and countless stories from young people who have suffered, but on Tuesday, Montana joined every other state in the nation with an anti-bullying law. Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock signed the Bully Free Montana Act at Jefferson Elementary School in Helena. Bill sponsor Rep. Kim Dudik, Superintendent of Public …

The attorneys general of fifteen states have filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in which they predictably argue that a ruling in favor of same-sex marriage will “irretrievably” destroy their right to self-government. From the brief:  The Constitution takes no sides on same-sex marriage, and therefore leaves the issue up to the free deliberations of state citizens. The …

Politics USA reports: After a heated floor debate, the Montana House failed to pass a “religious freedom” bill, deadlocking on a 50-50 vote, effectively defeating House Bill 615 on Friday. H.B. 615, sponsored by Rep. Karl Glimm (R-Kila), would have placed a legislative referendum on the November 2016 ballot that, if approved by voters, would have legalized discrimination, if it …

Via the Associated Press: A Montana lawmaker is seeking to strengthen the state’s indecent exposure law, stopping just short of his wish to outlaw yoga pants. Rep. David Moore on Tuesday introduced House Bill 365 in the House Judiciary Committee in response to a group of naked bicyclists who rolled through Missoula in August. The proposal would expand indecent exposure …

Clip recap: We picked up three states with marriage this week. But in one of those states, some clerks are refusing to issue licenses. Alabama’s attorneys are using a discredited anti-gay researcher to build a case for banning marriage. And we have more bad news for what’s left of the National Organization for Marriage.

Via Montana’s CBS affiliate: A few clerks in Yellowstone County have decided not to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples because of their religious beliefs. The county anticipated the ruling and the human resources department had told Clerk of District Court Kristie Boelter that employees can choose not to issue marriage licenses for religious reasons. The County cited Title VII …

(Via JMG reader Sam)

Same-sex marriage technically began late yesterday afternoon in Montana after a federal judge struck down that state’s ban. But the true rush to clerks’ offices begins today. Gay couples were expected to line up for marriage licenses Thursday at county courthouses across Montana after a federal judge tossed out the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. At least two counties — …

Ellen has 34 million Twitter followers.

“I am heartbroken for the people of Montana who have had the redefinition of marriage forced on them by an out-of-control federal judiciary. I am also grieved for the children of same-sex couples who have no chance of growing up with a mom and a dad. While we mourn the direction of a misguided judiciary, we’re encouraged by the fact …

“It is the attorney general’s sworn duty to uphold and defend Montana’s constitution until such time as there is no further review or no appeal can be made in a court of law. Fulfilling that duty, the state of Montana will appeal this ruling in light of the fact that there are conflicting federal court decisions and no final word …