state budget

At a moment when employers nationwide are seeking guidance to create safer work environments, Montana’s state agency tasked with enforcing discrimination protections is losing funding for trainings and investigations. 

The Montana Human Rights Bureau investigates complaints of harassment and discrimination in a variety of settings. The Bureau also provides education and training for employers and housing providers.

A few days before Christmas the state health department announced it would end contracts with non-profit companies that help people with developmental disabilities. Now, an online petition posted last week protesting the cuts has gathered more than 11,000 signatures.

Montana officials say the tax overhaul passed by Congress could mean a $46 million loss in state revenue, resulting in a possible special legislative session. There's also the chance the state could get sued by taxpayers.

But there is no consensus yet on the federal law’s impact in Montana.

There’s a “strong possibility” that Montana will have to call a special legislative session if the state is correct in how it's interpreting recently-passed changes to federal tax laws. That’s according to state Department of Revenue Director Mike Kadas.