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PNS - Thursday, May 15, 2025 - Trump administration's proposed 2026 budget would cut housing programs for millions of low-income rural Americans from Maine to Iowa, independent medical practices and physicians are becoming rare, and New Mexico maintains its democratic governance of acequias.
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PNS - Thursday, May 15, 2025 - House Republicans get closer to enacting billions in Medicaid cuts. The Israeli government says it'll resume humanitarian aid in Gaza, and Montana's governor signs a law tightening the voter registration window.
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PNS - Thursday, May 15, 2025 - Kennedy defends downsizing, clashes with Democrats in tense hearings; Under budget plan, KY would face large gap in SNAP funding; MI corrections officers rally over stalled pension bills; 1000 Women Strong mobilizes Black women in NC to get engaged locally; Trump's proposed budget threatens Chesapeake Bay Restoration efforts in PA.
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By Kathleen Shannon - Producer, Contact - News
Big Sky Connection - The ink is drying on the last Montana laws that Governor Greg Gianforte finalized in the 2025 legislative session. Among them is a bill creating limitations on voter registration that opponents say is unconstitutional. Comments by Zuri Moreno (ZURR-ee moh-RAY-no) (they/them), state legislative director, Forward Montana.
Click on the image above for the audio. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a law shortening the time frame for voter registration, despite a 2024 Montana Supreme Court ruling a 2021 law banning same-day voter registration was unconstitutional. (MK Photo/Adobe Stock)
Kathleen Shannon
May 14, 2025 - Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has seen the last few bills of the 2025 legislative session cross his desk and as the ink dries, policy experts reminded Montanans some bills will face the courts before they take effect.
Gianforte signed Senate Bill 490, which changes the Election Day cutoff for same-day voter registration from 8 p.m. to noon. It also eliminates early registration the Monday before Election Day, shifting the deadline to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Zuri Moreno, state legislative director for the advocacy group Forward Montana, said the change especially affects Montanans who drive long distances to vote.
"We've already heard from the courts that you're not supposed to mess around with same-day voter registration," Moreno pointed out. "It just takes away that opportunity for working folks and young folks and rural people across the state."
Montana's Supreme Court ruled last year banning same-day voter registration is unconstitutional. In January, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the decision.
Laws passed this session may still be challenged in court, including those centered on the LGBTQ+ community, which was targeted by at least 23 bills. Moreno noted the "community really showed up this session."
"We saw so many folks sharing personal stories and public testimony, so many folks showing up for lobby days and rallies," Moreno recounted. "Thousands of people engaged in the legislative process, which is essential."
In a win for renters, Gianforte also signed House Bill 311 , which requires rental application fees to be returned to people who do not end up signing a lease.
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