Welcome to The Western Word! Here are the topics for today’s column: 

• Educational Savings Accounts
• Political Party Spending
• High School House Program
• One More Thing

EDUCATIONAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS:

A press release from Upper Seven Law, a Montana-based nonprofit law firm, announced that plaintiffs Montana Quality Education Coalition (“MQEC”) and Disability Rights Montana prevailed in invalidating House Bill 393, a 2023 bill that created an unconstitutional school voucher program for students with disabilities, taking money from public schools to give to private individuals. 

Upper Seven Law says the First Judicial District Court granted plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment, finding that HB 393 failed to appropriate funding as required under the Montana Constitution, Article VIII, Section 14.

“Our schools do not take lightly the constitutional imperative to provide Montana children with quality, equal education,” said Doug Reisig, MQEC’s Executive Director. “Taking money from public schools for vouchers without clear limits on how much and where that money will be spent is unconstitutional, pure and simple.”   

The Daily Montanan covered the story HERE. 

The order from the court can be found HERE.

The press release from Upper Seven Law can be found HERE. 

POLITICAL PARTY SPENDING:

The Associated Press (AP) is reporting that Conservative Supreme Court justices on Tuesday appeared to back a Republican-led drive that would erase limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates for Congress and president and overturn a quarter-century-old decision.

The AP also reported that the case is the latest in which the conservative majority could upend congressionally enacted limits on raising and spending money to influence elections. The court’s 2010 Citizens United decision opened the door to unlimited independent spending in federal elections.

I believe that we have too much money in politics. It’s becoming the wild, wild west. We are harming our country. 

If the Supreme Court allows this, then we will have more money thrown into elections. Of course, both sides have their millionaires and billionaires to be their sugar daddies. We all get sick of the endless campaign ads, phone calls, fliers in our mailboxes, and knocks on our doors. It seems the First Amendment is very much alive and well in our political world – this is one of the arguments in allowing the political parties to spend more money. The Republicans contend that not allowing more money in elections impedes our First Amendment right to free speech. Silliness. 

HIGH SCHOOL HOUSE PROGRAM:

According to a press release from the Montana Governor’s office, on the seventh day of his 12 Days of Giving, Governor Greg Gianforte today contributed a quarter of his annual salary to the NeighborWorks Great Falls High School House Program, which gives Montana students hands-on construction experience while building affordable homes for first-time homebuyers.

“As Montanans, we believe in hard work, opportunity, and giving back to our neighbors,” Gov. Gianforte said. “The High School House Program brings all three together as students learn in-demand skills, families achieve the dream of homeownership, and our communities growing stronger. As I continue my commitment to donating my annual salary, I am proud to support the work of these Great Falls students.”

The High School House Program is a wonderful way for young people to learn how to build a home. They can use these skills to get a job or just to save money by doing their own home repairs. 

Programs like this have been around for years. I participated in a similar program during my senior year of high school and then continued the next year in college. We built two homes, and I earned a Certificate in Construction Technology. I was able to quickly obtain employment with the skills I learned in the program. 

ONE MORE THING:

If you see someone crying, ask if it is because of their haircut. 

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