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Van Hollen introduces federal 'climate superfund' legislation; Trump campaigns in Western states as Harris focuses on critical Pennsylvania; Stalled Child Tax Credit leaves Ohio families in limbo; Federal funding drives PA's increase in electric school buses.

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Marjorie Taylor-Greene condemns remarks by a right-wing activist, immigrants to Ohio spark conspiracy theories and heated campaign controversies, and the Children's Defense Fund pushes for more attention to child poverty.

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Rural voters weigh competing visions about agriculture's future ahead of the Presidential election, counties where economic growth has lagged in rural America are booming post-pandemic, and farmers get financial help to protect their land's natural habitat.

55 Years Later, Fair Housing Act Could Go Further

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Monday, April 3, 2023   

April is national fair housing month and this marks 55 years since the federal Fair Housing Act was signed into law.

The Act gives people an avenue to address discrimination that prevents them from securing housing.

Pam Bean, executive director of Montana Fair Housing, said the law could go further and protect people regardless of where they get their income.

"For instance, folks that might be lower income but their sources of support," said Bean, "such as having food stamps - might be able to be blended in as income and allowing them, then, to qualify for the housing product they're looking at."

Montana has passed its own housing anti-discrimination rules with the Montana Human Rights Act. Bean said her organization has events planned throughout April to celebrate fair housing month.

Montana lawmakers have passed bills this session that target members of the LGBTQ community, including legislation that bans gender affirming care for youth.

Bean said it's disappointing.

"It's very hard for me to wake up every day, sometimes," said Bean, "and think that a state that I love this much and a country I love is putting so much effort into minimizing the rights of people."

Another measure making its way through the Capitol would define sex in a way that prohibits people from bringing claims of sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination in areas such employment and housing.

But Bean noted that it's still illegal to discriminate against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity when it comes to housing.

"Even though victims of discrimination that are LGBTQ+ may not have state protections," said Bean, "they still have federal protections and complaints could still be filed at that level."



Disclosure: Montana Fair Housing contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Disabilities, Housing/Homelessness, Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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