Montana legislator proposes creating new state trust to fund future programs

Bills targeting Montana’s child care challenges maintaining steam

With the 2025 legislative session shifting into its final weeks, early childhood care and education advocates throughout the state are closely watching a string of policy proposals still alive in the Montana Legislature to address ongoing challenges in the child care sector.Workforce shortages have continued to drive much of the debate over those measures. According to a state health department report from 2023, employee turnover was the top con…

Montana legislator proposes creating new state trust to fund future programs

As the Montana Legislature puts together the final state budget plan, lawmakers are now considering one bill that would eventually put more than $1 billion into a new state trust intended to tackle everything from property tax relief to infrastructure to child care.The Senate Finance and Claims Committee held its first hearing Tuesday on House Bill 924, sponsored by Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad.(Watch the video for a closer look at how the trust wo…

Amid spending concerns, Montana budget advances, major new trust proposed

The debate over spending is taking place alongside a discussion about how the state can keep paying for its needs — and whether legislators can keep adequate oversight and control over state dollars.