This week we give you all your legislative updates, from the nasty nine, to a handful of folks who seem to have forgotten what our constitution says. Zuri & John tell us all about this pretty exhausting week.

Something you hear make you mad... me too...want to do something about it? Maybe share your story or message your representative!

Events:

TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY - Monday, March 31 

Join Forward MT and our Free and Fair coalition partners on Monday, March 31 from noon-1pm at Montana Capitol Flag Plaza in Helena. Join us at the State Capitol to Rally for Trans Rights to celebrate trans joy, resilience, and community! This year’s focus: trans people fighting back against attacks from the legislature. This legislative session, we’ve seen 20+ bills that have attempted to block access to gender-affirming care, remove essential social services, and strip away our rights. RSVP here. 

Join Catalyst Montana, Butte Pride Foundation and BT Livermore from 6 to 9 pm for this exciting community event. The art made at this event will contribute to the Montana Trans Quilt Project! Pizza, drinks and supplies provided. Attendees should plan to create an art piece with personal meaning on an 8x8 square of fabric (provided, or bring your own piece!)

Join TransVisble and The Western Montana LGBTQ Center from 5pm at The Center for pizza and community. Starting at 7pm at the Missoula County Courthouse for speakers and rally. 

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Friday, April 4th. Join Forward Montana UM Meeting from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM at The Branch Center, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula. Forward Montana's UM Student Group meetings are a place to decompress, talk out strategies, and for organizers and activists of all different realms to come together to a political home, and be in solidarity and community. Join us!

Monday, April 7, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wilson Hall, Wilson Hall, Bozeman, MT 59715 Come join the Forward Montana club for community, crafts and civic engagement! We will meet in Wilson 2105 from 6-7pm every other Monday!

Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠!

Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! 

Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant 

Edited by Ashley Lobao

Music by Cowboy Calamity

Our representatives have not lost momentum in the the transmittal break. Let’s jump back in.

Sage, from our FMT legislative team joins us again to give us a little update on some housing bills that we have been watching! Zuri and John share some ethics committee drama and tell us all about how some folks just don't really understand our Montana constitution.

SEND COMMENTS, SHARE STORIES & REACH OUT TO YOUR LEGISLATURE HERE.

Capitol Events: 

Monday, March 31 from noon-1pm at Montana Capitol Flag Plaza in Helena. Join us at the State Capitol to Rally for Trans Rights to celebrate trans joy, resilience, and community! This year’s focus: trans people fighting back against attacks from the legislature. This legislative session, we’ve seen 20+ bills that have attempted to block access to gender-affirming care, remove essential social services, and strip away our rights. RSVP here. 

Community Events: 

Saturday, March 22nd from 4:30-7:30pm at Uptown Hearth in Columbia Falls. Join us for The Making Place’s Art Café Night! This is a perfect chance to engage with the community, support civic participation, and enjoy a creative, welcoming atmosphere. Come for the art, stay for the impact, and help us ensure everyone’s voice is heard before the school board election.

Monday, March 24th from 5:30-7:30pm at Shine Beer Sanctuary in Bozeman. Join us for the Bozeman Housing Happy Hour. If you are a renter, your food or drink is on us! This month, we are focused on stories -- What is your housing story??

Join us at The Center on Monday, March 24th from 6-7:30pm as we partner with the Western Montana Community Center to bring you a MONTHLY Stitch and Bitch! Bring your current project (or start a new craft!) while you gather in an environment of support, create community, and build collective power through arts n’ crafts! A hodgepodge of embroidery, knit/crochet, and collage supplies will be available.

Monday, March 24 from 6-7pm Wilson Hall, Bozeman- Come join the MSU FMT Club Meeting for community, crafts and civic engagement! We will meet in Wilson 2105 from 6-7pm every other Monday!

Join the Billings Forward Montana team at the Billings Public Library community room from 530-730 pm on Tuesday, March 25th  for another fun stitch and bitch event! We’ll be talking about what’s going on in Billings, up in Helena at the legislative session and anything else YOU want to talk about with us and other community members. This will be a relaxed stitch and bitch style event so bring a craft to work on while we talk! Free food and drinks provided.

Saturday, March 29, 2025 6:30-8pm, Trans Day of Visibility - Pre Event in 732 S 1st St W, Missoula. We’ll have a Know Your Rights training,  a discussion on the history of TDOV, and sign making supplies for Monday’s TDOV events. Free food and drinks provided. RSVP here. 

Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠!

Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! 

Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant 

Edited by Ashley Lobao

Music by Cowboy Calamity

This week didn’t make us cry! Yay!! Oh also, John and Zuri have some guests! But before that… This week was transmittal - hope you got your rest. We are now diving into the second half of our legislative session! 

On to our guests!! We are so happy to be joined this week by Carl Anderson & Tess Rosbarsky from MontPIRG! They share what they have been keeping an eye this leg session. 

Want to learn more about MontPIRG? Head to their website, give them a call (406) 243-2908 and, follow them on instagram @montpirg.

Events:

• On Wednesday, March 19th at 11am, the Montana Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) is holding a Rally Day at 11am in the Capitol Rotunda. This rally is a great opportunity for ANYONE to come show support for legislation that helps people living with disabilities in Montana.
• On Thursday, March 27th, MontPIRG will be hosting a Lobby Day at the Montana State Capitol in Helena advocating for students, tenants and general consumer protection issues. Deadline is soon, so sign up ASAP! 
• Queer Skillshare: Vision boarding with Transvisible Montana  on March 18, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM at the Headwaters Confluence Center, 119 W Main St Fl 1, Missoula, MT 59802
• Forward Montana UM Student Group Meeting on March 21, 2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM at The Branch Center, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812
• Art Craft with the Making Place on March 22, 2025 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM at Uptown Hearth, 619 Nucleus Ave, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠!

Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! 

Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant 

Edited by Ashley Lobao

Music by Cowboy Calamity

Well we made it! Halfway through the legislative session. This week John & Zuri are joined by the rest of the legislative team: Morgan, Sage, & Taryn. Together they update us on where we are at in regards to Repro rights, housing, & LGBTQ+ rights!

Here is the link to our bill tracker, and the Montana Bill Explorer!

If you are curious about any of the other bills we have mentioned be sure to check out the What the Helena blog!

Want to watch whats going on in Helena? Here is the link to stream live or access a recording!

Events:

• MSU FMT Student Group Meeting 

• Wilson Hall, Bozeman, MT 59715

• March 10, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM 

• Craft and Act with Wheelhouse 

• Studio Wheelhouse, 10 Evergreen Dr Ste B, Bozeman, MT 59715

• March 11, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM 

• Come to Wheelhouse to craft, build community, learn about current events, gain resources, and participate in calls to action. 

• Queer skillshare: Vision Boarding with Transvisible 

• Headwaters Confluence Center, 119 W Main St Fl 1, Missoula, MT 59802

• March 18, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM 

• Amidst the ongoing attacks on trans, non-binary, and two-spirit Montanans in the current legislative session, we will learn how to use vision boarding as a tool for clarifying our goals as a community, envisioning success, staying motivated, and strengthening our focus through our art. All supplies will be provided!

Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠!

Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! 

Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant 

Edited by Ashley Lobao

Music by Cowboy Calamity

The pressure is on with transmittal coming up! This week some updates on the judiciary attacks as well as some good and bad bills we have been watching!

Feeling lost with all these bills here is the link to our bill tracker! And the link to the Montana Bill Explorer.

Want to listen to committee meetings and other going ons in the capitol? Here is the link to the Watch and Listen page.

Finally, we want YOU to reach out to your representatives! Stay engaged this session and make your thoughts known to your legislators! Looking for some pointers on giving public comment? We've got you covered with a handy one pager on best practices.

EVENTS:

Saturday, March 8th at 3pm to 5pm - our partners at Empower MT will be holding a LGBTQ+ Teen Clothing Swamp at the Center in Missoula. 

MSU FMT Club Meeting Community Building March 10, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wilson Hall, Wilson Hall, Bozeman, MT 59715 Come join the Forward Montana club for community, crafts and civic engagement! We will meet in Wilson 2105 from 6-7pm every other Monday!

Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠!

Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! 

Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant 

Edited by Ashley Lobao

Music by Cowboy Calamity

This week we dive right in with a vibe check. Couple new contenders including an anti -vaxx bill and a couple focusing on voter rights (aka your rights). Rounding out the episode is a villain you've all been waiting for...

Struggling to keep track of all these bills? (TBH me too) here is a link to our Bill tracker!

Psssst!!! We really want you to call your representative!!! Looking for some pointers on giving public comment? We've got you covered with a handyone pager on best practices. 

Forward Montana legislative team will have our final zoom event next week. We’ll walk you through what’s happening at the Legislature around housing policy, share how to give public comment, and answer any questions you have about the session! Join us on Thursday, Feb 27th at 6pm for our Housing issues session with Sage, our Housing and Voter Engagement Organizer

Monday, February 24 at 6pm to 7pm  - MSU FMT Club Meeting Wilson Hall

Tuesday, February 25 at 5:30pm to 7pm - Bozeman Black History Month Celebration at the The Cultured Community Center, 1520 W Beall St, Bozeman, MT 59715 Come join the Forward Montana team as we learn about the history and significance of quilting in the African American community! We will end the evening with an update from the legislative session and how the community can get involved! (We will not be sewing a quilt, but will be coloring one smaller squares of quilt to make one larger version!)

Saturday, March 1st 12:30-2:30PM at Bozeman Public Library (virtual option available!) Join Forward Montana and Queer Bozeman for an informative session and panel discussion on how you can find your power during this uncertain and challenging Montana legislative session. This event will provide valuable insights on how to stay informed, get involved, take care of yourself, and advocate for the issues that matter most to you. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and learn how to make your voice heard! RSVP Here

Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠!

Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! 

Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant 

Edited by Ashley Lobao

Music by Cowboy Calamity

This week Zuri & John give us the update on the anti-trans bills, medicaid bills, and some of the wins we saw this week! We were also introduced to a few bills that attack MEPA (Montana Environmental Protection Agency). An agency and upholds the our constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment!

How to leave public comment:

As with most things related to the State of Montana there are always changes. If you want to submit a public comment or virtually testify this session it works a bit different. Here are the steps you need to take!

• Make an account by going here
• You’ll see several options to select, throughout this session we will be directing you to the Standing Committee section to either testify remotely and/or submit testimony (public comment).
• We will direct you to specific bills or committees to address either as an opponent or proponent. We will do our best to make it clear what we are supporting and what we strongly oppose.  

Stay engaged this session and make your thoughts known to your legislators! Looking for some pointers on giving public comment? We’ve got you covered with a handy one pager on best practices. 

EVENTS:

Public Lands Rally  Wednesday, Feb. 19  •  Noon — 1 p.m.  at the Capitol Rotunda, Helena

Forward Montana legislative team will be hosting a series of zoom events. We’ll walk you through what’s happening at the Legislature around LGBTQ+ Rights, Reproductive Rights and Housing! 

• LGBTQ+ Rights Session: 2/18/2025 with Morgan, our LGBTQ+ and Voter Engagement Organizer

• Reproductive Rights Session: 2/20/2025 with Taryn, our Reproductive Rights and Voter Engagement Organizer

Housing issues session: 2/27/2025 with Sage, our Housing and Voter Engagement Organizer

February Housing Happy Hour 

• Bring your current project while you gather in an environment of support, create community, and build collective power through arts n’ crafts! A hodgepodge of embroidery, knit/crochet, and collage supplies will be available.

• February 24, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM 

• The Center, 500 N Higgins Ave Ste 105, Missoula, MT 59802

  
  

Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠!

Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! 

Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant 

Edited by Ashley Lobao

Music by Cowboy Calamity

This week ended with some drama!! like, "tmr we're gonna duel" type drama. In this episode we chat about some important legislative bills, a villain who is scared & petty, and a hero who stood up for the health of montanans.

Remember, folks these senators and representatives, represent YOU. and so we REALLY REALLY want you to reach out to them so that they don't forget that.

And hey, maybe this weekend you do something that brings you joy!

Here is that link for the online portal where you can message you legislator!

Capitol Events: 

• On Thursday, February 13, join us and our partners at the I <3 Montana Constitution Rally. Gohere to learn more and RSVP. 

• On Friday February 14 through Saturday February 15, join our partner Catalyst MT at their annual Policy Leadership Institute. The 2-day conference will cover a wide-range of policy issues, and include skill building sessions. Learn more and sign uphere!

FMT Events: 

Forward Montana legislative team will be hosting aseries of zoom events. We’ll walk you through what’s happening at the Legislature around LGBTQ+ Rights, Reproductive Rights and Housing! 

• LGBTQ+ Rights Session: 2/18/2025 with Morgan, our LGBTQ+ and Voter Engagement Organizer

• Reproductive Rights Session:2/20/2025 with Taryn, our Reproductive Rights and Voter Engagement Organizer

• Housing issues session: 2/27/2025 with Sage, our Housing and Voter Engagement Organizer

Local events: 

• Missoula Community Soup Night 

• Come decompress, be in community, and talk shit about your legislators all while eating some mouth watering soup. BYOB (bring your own bowl) 

• Feb 9th, 7-9pm 

422 W Alder St, Missoula, MT 59802  

• Commissioners Chat: Bozeman Growth 

• Come and join the Forward Montana team in chatting with two of our city commissioners! We will have two commissioners in the room who want to hear more from our young community members who are renters! 

• February 10, 2025 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 

• Bozeman Office, 125 W Mendenhall St, Bozeman, MT 59715 

• MSU FMT Club Meeting 

• Come join the Forward Montana club for community, crafts and civic engagement!

• February 10, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM 

• Wilson Hall, Wilson Hall, Bozeman, MT 59715 

Stay engaged this session and make your thoughts known to your legislators! Looking for some pointers on giving public comment? We've got you covered with a handy one pager on best practices. 

Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠!

Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! 

Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant 

Edited by Ashley Lobao

Music by Cowboy Calamity

I think someone forgot to tell us that they were recording Mean Girls 3 in Helena this week?

We were SO disappointed in the anti-trans bills that reared their ugly faces this week. These bills are just more of the same discriminatory b.s. we've seen in the past. On the brighter side of things, we saw the housing fairness tax credit bill (HB 154) pass through committee and is headed to the House Appropriations for a hearing next week!

Want to listen to our hero of the week showing us what it means to be bold: CLICK HERE.

EVENTS:

Local events: 

As with most things related to the State of Montana there are always changes. If you want to submit a public comment or virtually testify this session it works a bit different. Make an account by going here!

Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠!

Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! 

Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant 

Edited by Ashley Lobao

Music by Cowboy Calamity

Week three down! The capitol is buzzing with hectic energy. From medicaid bills, pro-housing billing, judicial attacks, and another anti-trans bill. Our hosts give you all the details - brace yourself - this one might get spicy.

HOW TO SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENT

As with most things related to the State of Montana there are always changes. If you want to submit a public comment or virtually testify this session it works a bit different. Here are the steps you need to take!

Make an account by going here

You’ll see several options to select, throughout this session we will be directing you to the Standing Committee section to either testify remotely  and/or submit testimony (public comment).

We will direct you to specific bills or committees to address either as an opponent or proponent. We will do our best to make it clear what we are supporting and what we strongly oppose.  

Stay engaged this session and make your thoughts known to your legislators! Looking for some pointers on giving public comment? We've got you covered with a handy one pager on best practices. 

Want a deep dive in tax policy? Go to our partner’s at Montana Budget and Policy Center.

EVENTS: 

Bozeman Stich and Bitch: 2025 Visioning Edition Friday, January 31st from 6-7:30PM at the Bozeman Office. Join Forward Montana at our first Stitch and Bitch of the year! Bring your own craft to work on or use provided collage supplies to create a 2025 vision board. Join us to craft, discuss the legislative session and build community, and eat FREE snacks! 

 MSU FMT Club Meeting Monday, January 27th from 6-7:30 PM Wilson Hall. Looking to get involved on campus? Join the MSU Forward Montana Club for our first meeting of the semester! Come hang out, make some fun crafts, write comments to your legislators and get to know more about Forward Montana! 

Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠!

Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! 

Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant 

Edited by Ashley Lobao

Music by Cowboy Calamity