skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Some South Dakota farmers are unhappy with industrial ag getting conservation funds; Texas judge allows abortion in Cox case; Native tribes express concern over Nevada's clean energy projects.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The Colorado Supreme Court weighs barring Trump from office, Georgia Republicans may be defying a federal judge with a Congressional map splitting a Black majority district and fake electors in Wisconsin finally agree Biden won there in 2020.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Texas welcomes more visitors near Big Bend but locals worry the water won't last, those dependent on Colorado's Dolores River fear the same but have found common ground solutions, and a new film highlights historical healthcare challenges in rural Appalachia.

Facing Criticism, Group Forms to Educate Public about MT Constitution

play audio
Play

Monday, December 26, 2022   

Fifty years after its creation, and under increasing criticism from some lawmakers, an organization has been created to increase awareness of the Montana Constitution.

Mae Nan Ellingson, one of the founding members of the Friends of the Montana Constitution, was the youngest delegate at the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention.

The group it is set to replace, the Constitutional Convention Society, was formed after the 1972 convention wrapped up, and is set to dissolve after the death of the final delegate. Only 10 of the original 100 are still alive.

Evan Barrett, co-founder and vice chair of the group said the new organization will take up the society's mantle.

"We just felt there was a need, given the import of the Constitution, its 50th anniversary, the reducing size of the society, to go ahead and get something that was open to the broader public to participate in support of the Constitution," Barrett explained.

The organization is a nonprofit and nonpartisan, and aimed at educating and increasing the public's understanding of the 1972 Constitution. Critics countered the organization is not nonpartisan, as it claims, and has a political agenda.

Barrett noted the state Constitution guarantees 17 protections to Montanans not in the U.S. Constitution.

"Power was shifted in the new Constitution from corporate dominance to citizen power, and that's what makes it a really particularly unique Constitution," contended.

Rep. Derek Skees, R-Kalispell, among the constitution's detractors, called it a "socialist rag" in need of changes.

But Barrett argued Montana's constitution is renowned around the country for its robust protections.

"Some constitutional change is OK, some is needed," Barrett acknowledged. "A lot is not, and when there's nefarious purposes for things that would not serve the interests of the broader population of Montana, many Montanans will rise up and speak against those."

References:  
Mont. Constitution 1972

get more stories like this via email
more stories
More than 2,000 patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities have received dental care in group home day center settings across North Carolina, according to Access Dental. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Most people probably never give a second thought to their visits to the dentist, but not everyone can navigate this process with ease. People with …


Social Issues

play sound

Christmas is a little more than two weeks away, and toy drives around the country are in full swing. A North Dakota organizer shares some things to …

Social Issues

play sound

A federal judge in Nevada has dealt three tribal nations a legal setback in their efforts to stop what could be the construction of the country's larg…


A study on earth.org reveals a 6 1/2-foot artificial Christmas tree would have to be used for at least 12 years for it to be more ecofriendly than a real Christmas tree. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Hoosiers could get their holiday trees from any of about 200 tree farms in the state, according to the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association…

Social Issues

play sound

Reports from the Insurance Commissioner's office and the state Attorney General reveal an analysis of what they call "the true costs of health care" i…

Environment

play sound

Connecticut lawmakers are reluctant to approve new emission standards that would require 90% cleaner emissions from internal-combustion engines and re…

Environment

play sound

While lawmakers and environmental groups strive to lower vehicle emissions and the nation's carbon footprint, many truckers see unrealistic …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021