As the dust settles from the 2022 election and we anxiously await the start of the legislative session, we thought we'd take a beat and reflect on the work we did this election cycle, our hot takes and lessons learned, and what it all means for the future of Montana. Here to chat through these big questions are Forward Montana's Executive Director, Kiersten Iwai, and our Director of Voter Engagement, Courtney Smith!

As we barrel toward the 2022 midterm election, you may be asking: WTH are these ballot initiatives? Where did they come from? How would they affect Montana? Great questions! To help us demystify LR-131 and C-48, we called in Hillary-Anne Crosby from the No LR-131 Campaign and Montana State Senator JP Pomnichowski. 

To learn more about what's on your ballot and check out our independent, nonpartisan voter guide, head to forwardmontana.org/voterhub/.

Read the full text of HB 167, the bill that led to LR-131, at this link: https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2021/billpdf/HB0167.pdf

Hear the stories of families and healthcare providers who would be affected by LR-131 at NoLR131.org.

As always, you can find Forward Montana on Instagram and Twitter @forward_montana, and on Tiktok @forwardmontana. 

What the Helena is hosted and edited by Izzy Milch. The cover art for What the Helena was created by Angie Hoàng. 

First things first, rest assured: Montana’s legislature is not, in fact, in session (yet). BUT, the consequences of the messy AF 2021 Legislative Session (and the lawsuits it triggered) are still reverberating through the state. That’s why we decided to relaunch What the Helena.

Here’s what we’ve got in store for you with this relaunch: an exclusive conversation with Rylee Sommers-Flanagan, the Executive Director of Upper Seven Law and one of the incredible lawyers representing Forward Montana Foundation in our voting rights lawsuit against the state. We talk about the importance of youth leadership, the shadiness of last-minute lawmaking, and what it’s been like to fight the state’s attempts to keep young people away from the ballot box.

You can find Upper Seven Law on Twitter @UpperSevenLaw, and online at www.uppersevenlaw.com.

You can find Forward Montana on Instagram at Twitter @forward_montana, on Tiktok @forwardmontana, and online at forwardmontana.org (where you can find the job descriptions for our open positions!). 

This episode was hosted and edited by Izzy Milch. The cover art for What the Helena was designed by Angie Hoàng.

Oh hey! Did ya miss us? We wish we were coming back with better news, but unfortunately, the government is once again up to some bullsh*t. 

In this episode, we talk with the incredible Akilah Lane from the ACLU of Montana about the Department of Health and Human Services' recent emergency rule that made it impossible for transgender people to update the gender on their birth certificates in Montana. Listen to find out how this happened, what comes next, and what you can do about all of it.

To send a comment to the DPHHS, email [email protected] or head to this link: https://secure.everyaction.com/RqYHYQ4lGESsDtp2fYy-zw2 

You can also mail written comments to: 

Kassie Thompson

DPHHS Office of Legal Affairs

PO Box 4210

Helena, MT 59604-4210

For information about how to attend the June 30 hearing, head to this link: https://rules.mt.gov/gateway/ShowNoticeFile.asp?TID=11048

This episode was written, hosted, and edited by Izzy Milch with help from Kiersten Iwai and Meghan Hegedus. The cover art for What the Helena was designed by Angie Hoàng. 

Keep up with the ACLU of MT on Instagram @aclu_montana and at aclumontana.org. 

You can follow Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana. To learn more about our work and get involved, head to forwardmontana.org. 

Well, friends, we did it. The session is over, the Capitol building is eerily empty, and we're all ready for a several-month-long nap. Before we crawl into bed, we thought we'd leave you with this: a very short, very giggly conversation with our legislative organizing team. To learn more about what happened this session and where we stand now, read our wrap-up issue of What the Helena. 

Be sure to follow us on Instagram for updates on where we go from here.

Now, take a break. Recoup. Then, we keep fighting. 

Well, friends, we made it. The legislative session has come to a close. All that's left to do is make one last round of phone calls to Governor Gianforte before we pack up, regroup, and continue the work in our communities. This is our final regular episode, but tune in next week for one last hurrah, where we'll talk about what things look like for us moving forward-- featuring some very, very special guests. Thanks for coming on this wild ride with us-- we'll miss ya.

Take action on the bills mentioned in this episode:

NO to HB112

NO to HB506, HB651, and HB530.

If you've enjoyed What the Helena and want to support us in continuing this work, consider making a donation. 

Well folks, we've reached the point in the session where lots of bills, most of them bad, are being signed into law. BUT! There's still time to make your voice heard on some VERY important issues. Today, we're bringing you updates on the last big pushes before the end of the session to protect trans Montanans, tribal sovereignty, and corporate accountability. We're so close; let's finish strong!

Check out this list of Montana housing resources, and connect with the Montana Housing Coalition to keep working towards an affordable future.

Take action on the bills mentioned in this episode: 

NO to HB112 and SB280

NO to HB651

NO to SB214

NO to HB695

NO to SB399 and SB159

We are THRILLED to bring you some exciting news about big bad bills going down! Of course, there's still work to do: we also have updates on voting rights attacks, tax codes, NorthWestern Energy trickery, and which bills are awaiting their fate on the Governor's desk. Plus, climate organizer Eliza Donahue and FMT intern Brianna Shadle interview David Samollow from Earthtone Outside MT about working to create space and community for people of color in Montana's great outdoors. 

Sign up to submit artwork to our collaborative economic justice project by the end of the day today!

Check out the upcoming protest at the Capitol against the anti-trans sports ban, HB112.

Take action on the bills mentioned in this episode:

NO to HB651

NO to SB399

Thank your senator for voting NO on SB100

NO to SB379

NO to HB273, HB481, and HB576

Thank your senator for voting NO on HB244

We are coming at you with another very special, very important episode! As if this legislative session weren't wild enough, we are now witnessing an unprecedented attempt from Republicans to undermine the nonpartisanship and power of the Montana judiciary. The courts exist to check the power of the executive and legislative branches. If that power check is jeopardized, we could find ourselves (and our rights) in some very sticky situations. Rep. Laurie Bishop joined us to discuss the details of what's going down in Helena, and what's at stake for all Montanans. 

It's no secret that cities and towns across Montana are experiencing an affordable housing crisis. In this very special bonus episode, Forward Montana intern David Ailanjian interviews Missoula City Councilperson Heidi West about some of the tools local government has to address this problem, as well as the challenges posed by this legislative session.