Capitol Talk is MTPR's weekly legislative news and analysis program. MTPR's Sally Mauk is joined by Montana Free Press State Editor Holly Michels and Lee Banville, Director of the University of Montana School of Journalism and Professor of Political Reporting. Tune in during the legislative session online Friday afternoons and on-air Saturdays at 9:44 a.m. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Subscribe
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Campaign Beat is Montana Public Radio's weekly political analysis program. It's hosted by Sally Mauk and features Lee Newspapers State News Bureau Chief Holly Michels and Rob Saldin of the University of Montana’s Mansfield Center and Political Science Department.
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Capitol Talk: Taking stock of the 2025 session
15:26
15:26
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15:26The 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.By Sally Mauk, Lee Banville, Holly Michels
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Capitol Talk: Budget work continues, lawmakers call out sexism
15:03
15:03
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15:03The "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.By Sally Mauk, Lee Banville, Holly Michels
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Capitol Talk: People power, due process and property taxes
15:59
15:59
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15:59Bernie 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.…
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Capitol Talk: Protests, partisan judges and party loyalty
14:03
14:03
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14:03Opposition 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.By Sally Mauk, Lee Banville, Holly Michels
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Censure in the Senate; Pain in your pocketbook; Public lands in whose hands?
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14:21
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14:21Sen. 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.By Sally Mauk, Lee Banville, Holly Michels
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Exhaustive debate; Bathroom bills; God & government; Honoring Chuck Johnson
13:48
13:48
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13:48Two 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.…
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Capitol Talk: Ethics, education and the missing delegation
15:12
15:12
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15:12The 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.By Sally Mauk, Lee Banville, Holly Michels
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Republicans back Trump cuts and tariffs; Lawmakers return to Helena
15:29
15:29
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15:29Montanans 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.By Sally Mauk, Lee Banville, Holly Michels
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Another ethics probe; An early departure; A DUI; Chromosome cops?
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15:18
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15:18Another 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.By Sally Mauk, Lee Banville, Holly Michels
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Capitol Talk: Exemptions, inclusion, infighting, confusion
14:09
14:09
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14:09Confusion 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.…
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Medicaid expansion advances; U.S. reps praise Trump's cuts; Church & state remain separate
13:46
13:46
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13:46Senate 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.By Sally Mauk, Lee Banville, Holly Michels
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The Gulf of What? Bathroom laws take priority; Republicans take aim at climate rules
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14:15Press freedom and press access are at stake in the fight over the Gulf of Mexico's name. Legislators want to make sure you use the right bathroom. A climate change court ruling is behind several bills to change Montana's environmental laws. And Republican lawmakers join Vice President Vance in making fun of climate activist Greta Thunberg.…
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Drama in the Senate; Trans sports ban resurfaces; Sheehy backs Musk
13:44
13:44
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13:44More hard feelings erupt in the state Senate. State lawmakers appear poised to ban trans women from competing in women's sports. And Sen. Tim Sheehy says Elon Musk is doing a great job.By Sally Mauk, Lee Banville, Holly Michels
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Federal funding in limbo; Senate opens ethics probe; Medicaid expansion debate begins
13:44
13:44
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13:44Threatened cuts to federal funding have Montana organizations anxious. The state Senate gears up for an ethics investigation. Medicaid expansion bills advance. The Democratic party is looking for a new leader. And state workers — and legislators — would get a pay raise under a proposed new pay plan.By Sally Mauk, Lee Banville, Holly Michels
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No-bid contract exposed; Court affirms public's right to know; Jan. 6 rioters go free
13:02
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13:02A Republican state senator is in trouble for a questionable no-bid contract. Courts side with the Montana press in legislative transparency case. And Montanans imprisoned for attacking the Capitol on January 6th are freed by the new Administration.By Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Lee Banville
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Capitol Talk: Lawmakers debate bathrooms and homesteads. Sheehy wedges-in his joke
14:11
14:11
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14:11Gender identity and anti-trans legislation are a repeat focus this session. Lawmakers begin work on property tax changes. The governor is quiet about Medicaid expansion. Sen. Sheehy wants to know how many pushups the Secretary of Defense nominee can do.By Edward F. O'Brien
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Capitol Talk: Week 1 brings a contentious start and familiar themes
19:42
19:42
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19:42The first week of the 2025 Legislature gets off to a contentious start. Gov. Gianforte invites Elon Musk to Montana. Legislative leaders plan to revive efforts to change the judiciary. Newly sworn-in Senator Tim Sheehy is wasting no time making a splash. Retiring Congressman Matt Rosendale makes a quiet exit.…
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Republicans sweep to victory in Montana's top races. Montana's newly elected Senator promises to bring people together. Voters say ‘yes’ to protecting the right to an abortion. "Campaign Beat" wraps up for the year.By Sally Mauk
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Early voting, tight races and relief from all the ads. Election day is almost here
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14:00Polls and pundits will soon be proven right or wrong. Last-ditch ads stray further from the facts. Early voting is higher in some counties than others.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Knudsen sanctions; Bullet wounds and business deals; Courts and the culture war
13:59
13:59
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13:59Montana’s attorney general faces an unprecedented sanction, but he still expects to be re-elected. A former park ranger insists Senate candidate Tim Sheehy accidentally shot himself in Glacier Park, despite the candidate’s denials. An outside group tries to insert the debate over trans athletes into a Montana Supreme Court race.…
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Top contenders for House and governor focus on hot-button issues in recent debates
13:59
13:59
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13:59The two main candidates for governor spar over property taxes, housing costs, and abortion. And the two candidates for the western district congressional race tussle over the same issues in recent debates.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Campaign Beat: Politics, courts and professional misconduct
12:04
12:04
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12:04State Attorney General Austin Knudsen is making headlines — but not the kind you want when you're seeking reelection. Two state Supreme Court candidates are hoping to get voters' attention.By Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
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No surprises in the Senate debate; A shotgun enters the chat
13:10
13:10
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13:10Jon Tester and Tim Sheehy land the punches they want to land in their debate. And U.S. House candidate Monica Tranel turns to the time-honored Montana campaign tradition of shooting something out of the sky.By Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
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A ballot blunder, border bluster and a broken bibliography
14:00
14:00
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14:00A quickly corrected ballot error raises questions; A new ad questions Monica Tranel's stance on the border; Controversial South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem stumps for Tim Sheehy, who has no comment on evidence he plagiarized portions of his memoir.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Governor candidates agree to debate; Housing costs are in the spotlight; NRA enters the fray
13:54
13:54
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13:54Voters will get one chance to see candidates for governor debate. Housing costs are in the spotlight. The NRA enters the fray in the U.S. Senate race.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Crow Tribe calls out Sheehy; Dems keep quiet on Harris; Ads focus on borders, gender & race
13:58
13:58
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13:58Montana Democratic candidates are not anxious to ride Kamala Harris's coattails. Monica Tranel vows to make the border safer, while her opponent Ryan Zinke vows to protect girls sports from trans athletes. Tim Sheehy remains silent about insulting Montana's Crow Tribe. And Republicans accuse Jon Tester of bias against white farmers.…
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Campaign Beat: New poll puts Sheehy in the lead, new audio puts him in the hot seat
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14:00Tim Sheehy leads Jon Tester in a new Senate race poll. Audio of a racist comment from Sheehy surfaces. Campaign ads feature familiar themes. And, the two leading candidates for governor may soon square off to debate. Campaign Beat is back for the general election!By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Primary election wrap-up; Candidates roll out new attack ads; We'll be back in the fall!
14:03
14:03
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14:03The primary election had few surprises — but laid the groundwork for some bruising general election races. New ads in the Senate and gubernatorial races come out swinging. Campaign Beat will return in September.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Republicans rush to Trump's defense; Don't forget about dark money! The primary is on June 4
14:01
14:01
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14:01Montana's Republican congressmen stick with Trump, despite his criminal conviction. Democrat Jon Tester is well ahead of his Republican opponent Tim Sheehy in fundraising. Dark money groups are also spending heavily in that Senate race. Tuesday's primary features intriguing contests in the eastern district Republican congressional race, and in the …
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Property tax blame game; Gianforte weighs-in on legislative races
13:30
13:30
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13:30Voter outrage over high property taxes is a big campaign issue, but how will that translate at the polls? Gov. Gianforte's primary endorsements aren't sitting well with some Republicans. Jon Tester unveils a new hard-hitting ad against his opponent Tim Sheehy. Tim Sheehy has a new ad with a powerful message about his military service.…
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Migrant family draws ire in the Flathead; Tester backs immigration bill; Will there be a special session?
13:59
13:59
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13:59Republicans clamor over the arrival of a migrant family in the Flathead. Tester signs on to a Republican immigration bill. And calls for a special legislative session are racking up.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Shying away from the spotlight; Ducking the debates; Trashing transplants
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13:55
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13:55Tim Sheehy seemed to shy away from the spotlight when Don Jr. came to campaign. Congressional candidates who showed up to debate talk immigration, climate change and transplants; Schools superintendent candidate faces legal troubles.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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The best of times, the worst of times; One of these ads is not like the others
13:56
13:56
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13:56A Republican candidate's new ad stands out for its subtlety. Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy says times are bad and change is needed, while Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte argues times are good and he should get another term. A national group opposed to abortion is going door-to-door in Montana. Rep. Zinke votes no on more …
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