Standing firm for rural Montana friends and neighbors

The 69th legislative session has concluded — a session marked not only by strong convictions but also by a deep responsibility to speak up for the voices of rural Montana. From the timberlands to the ranches, our communities deserve fair representation, honest leadership, and policies that work for working people. 

I’ve always believed that your conscience should come before political intimidation and ideology— and during this session, nine of us in the Senate stood up for exactly that, even when it came at a political cost.

The tone was set on day one. The majority’s initial rules proposals would have stifled open debate, marginalized qualified senators and blocked the governor’s agenda. We fought to protect a system where bills — your ideas — can still get a fair hearing. Thanks to successful challenges to these rules, we preserved the right to “blast” bills stuck in committee gridlock out onto the floor for a vote. Without that, many rural issues would have been silenced. 

One of my top priorities was HB 245, which reauthorized Medicaid Expansion. In our rural areas, hospitals are lifelines. This isn’t about expanding bureaucracy — it’s about keeping the doors open in places where private insurance doesn’t fill the gap. Medicaid Expansion is largely self-funded, supports over 76,000 working Montanans and helps over 20,000 employers — especially in sectors like agriculture, timber, hospitality and manufacturing. This legislation wasn’t about dependency — it was about protecting our workforce and keeping rural Montana healthy and productive. 

Every voter I spoke to back home voiced concern over rising property taxes. We delivered. Residential property tax relief was passed, alongside HB 337, which lowered the state income tax to give Montanans more breathing room. We also worked to shield single-homeowners and low-income families from being overwhelmed by tax shifts. 

Now, is it perfect? No. Tax reform is a delicate balance — when one group pays less, another often pays more. But we fought to ensure that full-time Montanans got the relief, not out-of-state speculators buying up second homes. 

Montana can’t thrive without strong schools. That’s why I backed HB 252, which increases starting teacher pay, and HB 357, which expands career and technical education — from mechanics to welding to forestry sciences. These aren’t just school bills — they’re economic development for our region. 

With the STARS Act framework moving forward, we’re ensuring kids graduate with credentials that matter, and teachers are finally paid what they’re worth — especially in small schools that have been hit hardest. 

We passed a balanced budget that remains below the curve of inflation and population growth. Despite pressures to spend more, we prioritized outcomes — not just outlays. The budget includes expanded mental health investments, improved correctional capacity, and strategic funds for fire suppression, safeguarding both communities and timber resources. 

This session reminded me why we serve. Not to curry favor with political machines, but to stand for honest representation. Our rural values — freedom with accountability, stewardship of land and resources and respect for the working person — guided every vote I cast. We may have faced political pressure, but we answered to you, not to party bosses. 

Looking Ahead I’m grateful for your continued trust and support. I’ll keep working for a Montana that values faith, family, freedom — and fairness. Whether it’s safeguarding our rural hospitals, defending our property rights, or standing up for working-class Montanans, I’m committed to serving with both courage and common sense. If you have questions or ideas — or just want to talk over coffee — I’m here. Because Montana doesn’t get better unless we fight for it together. 

Sen. Denley Loge, R- St. Regis.