Capitol Talk

Montana Public Radio

Montana Public Radio's weekly legislative news and analysis program appears on Fridays throughout the legislative session. MTPR's Sally Mauk is joined by Capitol Reporter Holly Michels and UM Political Science Professor Rob Saldin to discuss the week's legislative news.

  • 15 minutes 26 seconds
    Capitol Talk: Taking stock of the 2025 session
    The 2025 session has adjourned and delivered on its promises of tax relief — but will taxpayers think they did enough? Republican leaders vow retribution for those in their ranks they felt betrayed the party. And the Capitol Talk team gives their biggest takeaways from this session.
    3 May 2025, 12:07 am
  • 15 minutes 3 seconds
    Capitol Talk: Budget work continues, lawmakers call out sexism
    The "bathroom" law remains stalled in the courts. Lawmakers appear poised to pass the state budget. Sen. Daines gets a presidential endorsement. And female senators call out sexism in the chamber.
    26 April 2025, 12:07 am
  • 15 minutes 59 seconds
    Capitol Talk: People power, due process and property taxes
    Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez bring their "Fight Oligarchy" tour to Missoula, and their populist message has a familiar ring. Republican leaders criticize the tour as being out of touch with Americans' real concerns. Lawmakers continue to grapple with how best to keep a campaign promise to lower your property taxes.
    18 April 2025, 11:36 pm
  • 14 minutes 3 seconds
    Capitol Talk: Protests, partisan judges and party loyalty
    Opposition to Trump 's policies draw thousands of Montanans to protests. The state Republican party tries to excommunicate nine legislators. Bills aimed at making judicial races overtly partisan appear to be failing. And members of the Blackfeet Nation sue over Canadian tariffs.
    12 April 2025, 12:20 am
  • 14 minutes 21 seconds
    Censure in the Senate; Pain in your pocketbook; Public lands in whose hands?
    Sen. Ellsworth gets his punishment. Montana's congressional delegation stands behind the Trump tariffs. Humanities Montana becomes a victim of the DOGE cuts. And, the old fight over who should own public lands resurfaces.
    5 April 2025, 1:24 am
  • 13 minutes 48 seconds
    Exhaustive debate; Bathroom bills; God & government; Honoring Chuck Johnson
    Two Republican Senate leaders continue to battle allegations of ethics violations. The governor signs two anti-trans bills into law. The House takes up the main budget bill. A Kalispell Republican loses his effort to name Jesus the ruler of all nations. And the late, great journalist Chuck Johnson is honored at the Capitol.
    29 March 2025, 2:30 am
  • 15 minutes 12 seconds
    Capitol Talk: Ethics, education and the missing delegation
    The state Senate is mulling an ethics report about one of its own. Lawmakers hope to pass bills to boost teacher pay. The state school superintendent supports eliminating the federal Department of Education. And Montana's congressional delegation has no desire to hold public town halls.
    22 March 2025, 12:21 am
  • 15 minutes 29 seconds
    Republicans back Trump cuts and tariffs; Lawmakers return to Helena
    Montanans voice mounting concern about the impact of federal budget cuts and tariffs. Montana's governor and congressional delegation don't seem to share those concerns. And the Montana Legislature faces a busy, and possibly contentious second act.
    15 March 2025, 2:08 am
  • 15 minutes 18 seconds
    Another ethics probe; An early departure; A DUI; Chromosome cops?
    Another state senator faces an ethics investigation. A state rep. suddenly resigns. A Missoula senator pleads guilty to a DUI. And a controversial "bathroom bill" awaits the governor's signature.
    7 March 2025, 11:49 pm
  • 14 minutes 9 seconds
    Capitol Talk: Exemptions, inclusion, infighting, confusion
    Confusion reigns at colleges like the University of Montana as they struggle to interpret presidential executive orders to erase diversity, equity and inclusion. The Montana Republican party's split continues to play out publicly. And several bills to cut your property taxes are moving toward a climax.
    1 March 2025, 12:20 am
  • 13 minutes 46 seconds
    Medicaid expansion advances; U.S. reps praise Trump's cuts; Church & state remain separate
    Senate Republicans continue to split votes on key issues; Medicaid expansion is well on its way to passage; Montana's congressional delegation isn't concerned — yet — about federal workers being fired; And Montana public school classrooms won't be displaying the Ten Commandments.
    22 February 2025, 2:38 am
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