For the first time, the Associated Students of the University of Montana has developed lobbying coalitions aimed at helping interested students gain lobbying experience at the state legislature.
ASUMâs Student Political Action Director Maggie Bornstein said the coalitions will be focused on legislation that aligns with ASUMâs five legislative priorities: higher education funding, protecting student renters, expanding mental health services, protecting students from discriminatory legislation and reproductive rights.Â
Bornstein said students are typically an underrepresented group at the legislature, and their voices often go unheard.Â
âEven the voice of a few students just shows the tip of an iceberg,â Bornstein said.
Turner students take advantage of dual enrollment
Last updated 1/28/2021 at 11:42am
Junior and senior students at Turner High school have been attending dual enrollment courses this school year, earning both high school and college credits. Dual enrollment is offered every year in Montana and many students earn general education credits at a free or discounted rate while in high school. The classes are general education classes and in Montana the first two are free, after that the classes are reduced price from regular tuition. Turner Public Schools Superintendent Tony Warren said dual enrollment gives students a chance to take an entry level class in a field they are.
Montana House Bill 102 has the potential to allow guns on Montanaâs university campuses.Â
The bill has been moving quickly through the stateâs legislature. It has already passed the House of Representatives in a vote of 66 to 31. All yes votes on the bill were cast by Republicans; the no votes were all cast by Democrats.Â
On Jan. 20, the bill had its first reading in the Montana Senate, being heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee. If the bill passes in the committee, it goes to the entire Senate for readings and a vote.Â
Officer Croft outside the University Police station the morning of Jan. 25, 2021. The current campus policy on firearms states that only police officers and Federal authorities licensed to be armed are allowed to carry guns on campus. HB102 would change that.Matthew Tryan / Montana Kaimin
HELENA, Mont. – While most of the country’s attention diverted toward the nation’s capital, a controversial bill took a step forward inside the State Capitol Wednesday, with its first hearing
New bill being considered would allow guns on MT college campuses
KXLF
and last updated 2021-01-15 16:34:16-05
BUTTE â A bill will be presented in the Montana Legislature that will change state gun laws and allow open and concealed carry in public places like college campuses.
Kevin McRae, Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education, said that the Montana University System testified as opponents to the bill. According to the best available data that we have been able to ascertain in the states that are experimenting with guns on campus there have been substantially more instances of accidental shootings, gun misfires, and other dangerous mishaps with guns then there have been instances of guns being the solution to many problems on campus, said McRae.