Welcome! Here are the topics for today’s column:

• Update-Utility Rate Hikes
• Hi-Line Immigration Arrest
• House Republicans & Medicaid
• NFL Schedule Release
• One More Thing

UPDATE-UTILITY RATE HIKES:

As I mentioned in yesterday’s column, The Electric reported that the Great Falls City Commission is “considering a substantial increase to water, sewer and stormwater fees for the upcoming budget year.”

The Electric has a Facebook page, and when the rate hike article was posted, it received many comments, and very few were positive. There were 150 comments as of the posting time of this column. One comment hit the nail on the head: “Remember this when we vote for the next commission people.” Another comment had this observation: “Our commissioners rubber stamp every rate increase that are presented to them. We need to stop voting for them get new blood in there who stand up for the citizens and stop increasing everything.”

I’ve said many times that I am tired of paying more taxes and fees. We need commissioners who will stand up for the taxpayers.  

Check out The Electric’s Facebook post HERE. 

HI-LINE IMMIGRATION ARREST:

The Montana Free Press (MTFP) has an interesting story posted about American children being among a group deported following a Hi-Line immigration arrest. The MTFP reports that immigration officials deported the children along with their mothers and other family members. The children’s fathers remain in the United States to face immigration charges.

Check out the story HERE. 

HOUSE REPUBLICANS & MEDICAID:

The Associated Press (AP) is reporting that  House Republicans have unveiled the cost-saving centerpiece of President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” at least $880 billion in cuts largely to Medicaid to help cover the cost of $4.5 trillion in tax breaks.

The AP also reported that while Republicans insist they are simply rooting out “waste, fraud and abuse” to generate savings with new work and eligibility requirements, Democrats warn that millions of Americans will lose coverage. A preliminary estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the proposals would reduce the number of people with health care by 8.6 million over the decade.

I usually believe what the Congressional Budget Office says about bills.  If this proposal reduces the number of people with health care by 8.6 million over the decade, that worries me. I am all for rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse, but these rich people in Washington need to understand that Medicaid helps people with limited income and resources. They must be careful. 

This bill is a long way from becoming law. 

NFL SCHEDULE RELEASE:

Don’t forget that the NFL will unveil the entire 2025 schedule at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday on NFL Network, NFL.com, the NFL app, and NFL+.

They have already announced a few games. The Cowboys will take on the Super Bowl Champion Eagles in the NFL opener. My Kansas City Chiefs will host the Denver Broncos on Christmas night.

There may be some more releases before the entire schedule is released, so check your team’s page often. 

More information can be found HERE. 

ONE MORE THING:

I’ve opened a can of worms. They just sit there, the worms. Hardly the chaos that’s been advertised. (Source)

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