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

• Great Falls Commission Meeting
• Daines’ Token Visit
• Trump’s Math Skills
• Texas Politics
• One More Thing

GREAT FALLS COMMISSION MEETING:

On the agenda for tonight’s (Tuesday, August 5) City Commission meeting is a public hearing about fireworks:

Resolution 10596, Referring Ordinance 3278, an Ordinance Amending Title 9, Chapter 9, Section 030, of the Official Code of the City of Great Falls to Restrict Permissible Fireworks for Sale and Discharge, to a Vote of the People at an Election to be Held on November 4, 2025.

According to reporting from The Electric:

The proposed ordinance would prohibit the use of aerial devices, such as shells, rockets, and cakes, and devices designed to explode, such as Roman candles, salutes, firecrackers, and similar items. The ordinance would continue to allow the use of novelty and other consumer fireworks as defined by Montana law, such as sparklers, fountains, snakes, and other non-explosive, non-aerial fireworks.

If this makes it to the ballot, I would probably vote for it. I wish the commission had given voters three choices: 1. Ban all fireworks, 2. Ban aerial fireworks, or 3. Keep it the way it is. 

It just makes common sense to give the voters more choices, but common sense is something this current commission is lacking. 

By the way, there is also another important item on the agenda:

Resolution 10580, An Intent to Increase Property Tax. Action: Conduct a public hearing and adopt or deny Res. 10580. 

This commission raises taxes or fees about every month, and I expect them to approve the tax increase. Remember this during the November election. 

You can read the complete agenda HERE. The commission meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at the Civic Center. It will be broadcast live HERE. 

DAINES’ TOKEN VISIT:

It’s election time for U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), so he made a token appearance at Malmstrom AFB to get some press. 

Daines always looks out of place when he is talking about the military and appearing with the Patriots, who defend our nation. 

Daines issued a press release, and I was impressed that his press people spelled Malmstrom correctly. He did interviews with MTN News (CBS) and NonStop Local (ABC/Fox). 

I did not hear about any town hall meetings. I bet there was a fundraiser somewhere, because, as I said, it is election time for Daines.   

TRUMP’S MATH SKILLS:

I think the President’s math skills are lacking, along with many other skills: 

The Associated Press (AP) reported that days after he sent letters instructing top pharmaceutical manufacturers to use a “most favored nation” pricing model for prescription drugs, President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday that he had cut costs by up to 1,500%. But Trump’s grandiose claim is mathematically impossible.

The AP fact-checked the claim and explained it this way:

This is false. Cutting drug prices by more than 100% would theoretically mean that people are being paid to take medications.

It’s going to be enjoyable going to the pharmacy and picking up my prescription and getting paid…

TEXAS POLITICS:

The Associated Press (AP) reported that dozens of Democratic state lawmakers in Texas have scattered to points across the country in a last-ditch effort to prevent Republicans from adopting U.S. House maps that President Donald Trump wants in place before the 2026 midterm elections.

The AP further reports that by leaving the state, Democrats are beyond the reach of Texas law enforcement, and they can effectively block any votes by ensuring the 150-member House does not have the quorum required to do business.

The Texas Tribune reported that the Texas House voted Monday afternoon to track down and arrest more than 50 Democratic lawmakers who were not present when the chamber gaveled in. After the 85-6 vote, House Speaker Dustin Burrows said he would immediately sign civil warrants for each of the legislators, empowering the chamber’s sergeant-at-arms and state troopers to arrest and bring them to the Capitol.

But here is the funny part:

The Texas Tribune also reported that they will not face civil or criminal charges from the arrests. The warrants apply only within state lines, making them largely symbolic as most of the legislators in question decamped to Illinois, New York and Massachusetts to forestall passage of the GOP’s proposed redraw of Texas’ congressional map.

This situation is interesting. I look forward to seeing how it ends. 

ONE MORE THING:

Birthdays are good for your health. Studies have shown that people who have more birthdays live longer…

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