Hello October! Today is Monday, October 2, 2023, and here are the topics for today’s commentary:

• Rally for Tax Fairness
• Montana Marijuana
• Shutdown Averted
• MLB Postseason

RALLY FOR TAX FAIRNESS:

TODAY, October 2nd, citizens are meeting at the Capital to rally for tax fairness. The rally is from noon until 1:00 p.m. Former Governor Brian Schweitzer, former Cascade County Commissioner Jane Weber, and Chair of Big Sky 55+ Terry Minow will speak at the event.

Speakers will address the tax shift taking place in Montana, which has led to average residential property tax increases of 43%, while large corporations in the state receive tax cuts at Montanans’ expense, event organizers said. (Source)

MONTANA MARIJUANA:

MTN News reported last week that during a meeting of the Montana Legislature’s Economic Affairs Interim Committee, state legislators got an update from the Montana Department of Revenue, which regulates the marijuana industry through its Cannabis Control Division.

The article also reported on the SAFER Banking Act, a bill that could expand marijuana businesses’ access to banking services. That bill is being considered in the U.S. Senate. (Source)

But buried at the end of the article was the sales that marijuana has generated for Montana:

Montana has recorded more than $516 million in marijuana sales since the start of 2022, with roughly three-quarters of that in adult-use sales and the remainder in medical sales. August 2023 saw the highest sales of any month so far: about $28.7 million.

With the taxes generated from marijuana sales, Montanans could feed a lot of kids, help the homeless, and fix a lot of potholes.

SHUTDOWN AVERTED:

The Associated Press (AP) and several other sources reported that the threat of a federal government shutdown suddenly lifted late Saturday as President Joe Biden signed a temporary funding bill to keep agencies open with little time to spare after Congress rushed to approve the bipartisan deal.

The AP also reported that after chaotic days of turmoil in the House, Speaker Kevin McCarthy abruptly abandoned demands for steep spending cuts from his right flank and instead relied on Democrats to pass the bill, at risk to his own job. The Senate followed with final passage closing a whirlwind day at the Capitol.

So now with the U.S. House impeaching Biden, we can watch an additional circus of the MAGA Republicans in the House trying to get rid of Speaker McCarthy.

The U.S. House vote was 335-91, with Montana House members Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke, both MAGA Republicans, voting “NAY.” (Source)

The U.S. Senate vote was 88-9, with Democrat Jon Tester and Republican Steve Daines voting “Yea.” (Source)

The bill only funds the federal government until Nov. 17.

MLB POSTSEASON:

The Major League Baseball postseason starts Tuesday, October 3. Six teams from the American League and six teams from the National League will play for the World Series title.

The American League teams are:

• Baltimore Orioles
• Houston Astros
• Minnesota Twins
• Tampa Bay Rays
• Texas Rangers
• Toronto Blue Jays

The National League teams are:

• Atlanta Braves
• Los Angeles Dodgers
• Milwaukee Brewers
• Philadelphia Phillies
• Miami Marlins
• Arizona Diamondbacks

Check out the playoff bracket and when/where to watch your team HERE.

## HAVE A GREAT WEEK ##