Beer, Buds, and the Big Sky Podcast

Senator Dave Fern and Representative Mike Jopek join the Buds to unpack Montana’s latest legislative session.

Topics include:

• Property tax reform and revenue neutrality

• Income tax cuts and long-term budget concerns

• Behavioral health funding and jail overcrowding

• The failed luxury vehicle registration bill

• Montana’s film/media tax credits

• Supreme Court partisanship debate

• Styrofoam veto

• And a candid grade for Governor Gianforte

This episode dives deep into how state policy actually impacts working Montanans — beyond the headlines.

If you care about taxes, housing, healthcare, and Montana’s political direction, this one’s worth the full listen.

Whitefish City Attorney Angie Jacobs joins Ed and Ryan to talk local political drama, online misinformation, and how public officials handle social media attacks.

Then Rep. Mike Jopek breaks down what’s happening in the final month of Montana’s legislative session, including:

• Judicial reform bills

• Public land sale proposals

• Property tax battles

• Budget maneuvering

• Transgender bathroom legislation

• Tariffs and impacts on Montana agriculture

Plus a candid discussion about due process, federal overreach, and whether the culture war is just political theater.

If you want a real-time snapshot of Montana politics — with a few laughs along the way — this is the episode.

This episode is a must-listen for Montana homeowners.

Rep. Mike Jopek joins the Buds to explain what’s happening with property tax reform in Helena — and why the fight over Bill 542 could reshape how much you pay in 2026.

We cover:

• Why lawmakers didn’t “fix” reappraisal in 2023

• How rising valuations shift tax burdens

• The death of Bill 528

• What Bill 542 changes

• The $400 credit and tiered rate system

• Why some homeowners could see 40%+ increases

• The role of lobbyists in shaping the outcome

• What this means for school funding

• Why 2026 elections could revolve around property taxes

This isn’t partisan spin — it’s a breakdown of the math.

Unfiltered. Unscripted. Montana.

Former U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich joins the Buds in Helena to talk about being abruptly removed from office and what that moment reveals about today’s political climate.

Alongside strategist Erik Nyland, we discuss:

• The first 100 days of the Trump administration

• Institutional norms and the rule of law

• January 6th and presidential power

• Social Security and the “Ponzi scheme” debate

• Dark money, Citizens United & billionaire influence

• Montana’s tax structure and legislative battles

• Housing affordability and rural decline

• The Electoral College and national popular vote

This episode blends national politics with Montana perspective — and doesn’t pull punches.

Recorded on the final day of the Montana legislative session.

This episode ranges from Montana’s exploding property tax valuations to the national Epstein scandal — and everything in between.

With Steve Quinnell and Rep. Mike Jopek, we break down:

• Montana’s reappraisal shock

• The $400 rebate and who really benefits

• Income tax cuts vs. property tax hikes

• Urban-rural redistribution

• Culture wars & media narratives

• The deficit debate

• Young voters and socialism

• The Epstein scandal and political fallout

Is America drifting toward oligarchy?
Are Democrats missing the message?
Is Trump politically vulnerable for the first time?

It’s messy. It’s blunt. It’s real Montana conversation.

This episode covers the full political spectrum — from Whitefish city governance to Helena’s Republican civil war and the state’s high-stakes property tax debate.

Topics include:

• The Whitefish Government Review Commission

• Public input & charter reform

• Montana GOP censuring its own members

• Moderates vs. party hardliners

• Property tax reappraisal fallout

• The “Spirit of 76” rate debate

• Tariffs and national economic instability

Local, state, and national politics collide in one conversation.

Montana perspective. No script. No filter.

This week on Beer, Buds & The Big Sky, Kelly joins us all the way from San Francisco and we dive straight into the chaos.

We break down:

• The myths (and realities) about San Francisco

• MAGA politics, media narratives & culture wars

• The Epstein fallout & conspiracy culture

• Medicaid cuts, tribal colleges & Montana politics

• Elon Musk, third parties & the billionaire influence problem

• The Oakland A’s disaster & baseball’s corruption problem

• Why beers cost $18 and nobody’s doing anything about it

It’s unfiltered, unapologetic, and occasionally hilarious.
Politics, baseball, culture, and the absurdity of modern America — all with a drink in hand.

New episodes weekly.

Congressional candidate Russell Cleveland joins us to discuss why he’s running — and what he sees happening in Montana and Washington.

We cover:

• The projected healthcare losses in Montana

• VA job cuts and veteran access

• Tax policy & deficit growth

• Immigration enforcement in the Flathead Valley

• The asylum system and ICE detentions

• Public land sales & royalty rollbacks

• AI deregulation and federal power expansion

• Why working-class voters feel unheard

Russell shares personal stories, including driving a detained immigrant home after release — and explains why he believes this election will be decided in the middle.

Local politics meets national stakes.

https://www.russellcleveland.org/

This week on Beer, Barbs & Big Sky, we sit down with Tanya Horn and the leadership team from the Flathead Warming Center for a candid conversation about homelessness, housing, and the lawsuit that put the organization in the national spotlight.

The Warming Center faced an attempt to revoke its permit — sparking debate across the Flathead Valley about property rights, compassion, and the role of local government.

We discuss:

• What a low-barrier shelter actually is
• How many people the Warming Center serves
• Mental health and chronic homelessness
• Myths about “out-of-state” homeless populations
• Government overreach vs. community responsibility
• Why housing affordability is driving the crisis
• Faith, politics, and finding common ground

This episode moves beyond headlines and social media noise to explore what’s really happening on the ground — and what it means for the future of our community.

Whether you agree or disagree, this is a conversation worth hearing.

https://www.flatheadwarmingcenter.org/

This week on Beer, Buds & the Big Sky, we sit down with Calispell City Council member and mayoral candidate Ryan Hunter to talk about the future of the city — and the bigger political currents shaping Montana.

We cover:

• Why Calispell leads the valley in new housing

• Supply vs. affordability — what actually works

• Short-term rental caps

• Mixed-use neighborhoods & downtown vitality

• Why zoning laws may be the real barrier

• Why pulling the permit was a mistake

• Leadership failures at City Hall

• Homelessness myths vs. data

• Mental health, jail, and long-term solutions

• Are inmates being released due to lack of space?

• Should jail expansion be the solution?

• Mental health care vs. incarceration

• The Iran bombing

• Iraq déjà vu

• Why Democrats struggle with messaging

• Is Congress irrelevant on war decisions?

• Four lanes vs. two lanes

• Parking myths

• Why vibrant downtowns matter

• Growth vs. sprawl

It’s a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, growth, and whether Montana communities can plan smarter instead of louder.

Local politics meets national chaos — with beer in hand.

🏘 Affordable Housing & Zoning Reform🏛 The Warming Center Lawsuit🚔 The County Jail Levy🌎 National Politics & War Powers🏙 Downtown Calispell