What the Helena

In our final legislative session episode of the year, Zuri & John are joined once more by the rest of the team. They chat about all the highs and lows in: LGBTQ+, Repro, Housing, Climate, and Voters rights. We want to thank ALL our listeners for following along with us! We love you! Want to read our final newsletter on the entire session? ⁠Click here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

We are so fortunate to be joined this week by Representative Karlen from house district 98 in Missoula! OH and ALSO this week was sine die: meaning it was the last week of the 69th Montana Legislative session - we made it. Take that deep breath in and out! Want to learn more or reach out to Rep. Karlen: jonathankarlen.net Call them at: (406) 851-9226 Email them at: Jonathan.Karlen@legmt.gov Our next episode will be in 2 weeks! Events: City Council Candidate Info Session! May 7, 2025 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Black Dog Coffee X 10th Ave, 3115 10th Ave N, Billings. Dreaming of a better future for Billings? City Council makes crucial decisions for our city! Join us and come learn how they can make that vision a reality! Billings needs responsible, forward thinking community members who want a safe, thriving future for our city. Join us to hear why new City Council candidates are urgently needed for the upcoming election! Light food and drinks provided! May Stich and Bitch: Sewn and Seen-Trans Quilt Project Edition! May 8, 2025 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM 406 Pride Resource Center, 310 N 27th St, Billings. Join us 406 Pride for our May Stitch and Bitch: Sewn and Seen Montana Trans Quilt Project edition! Thursday, May 8th 530-830pm. We’re taking our monthly(ish) Stitch and Bitch and combining it with a wonderful project starting with Butte artist BT and Catalyst Montana. Attendees will create an art piece with personal meaning on an 8x8" square of fabric. There will be assorted fabrics provided, but attendees can bring fabric that might be meaningful to them. Same with art supplies, we’ll provide some, but feel free to bring anything you love to work with. You don't have to consider yourself an artist or think you're "good at art" to contribute your own unique piece to this project! These squares will be sewn together, with pieces from other communities, to create a living textile that will travel to as many Prides in Montana as possible. Craft and Act with Wheelhouse May 15, 2025 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM Studio Wheelhouse, 10 Evergreen Dr Ste B, Bozeman. Forward Montana and Wheelhouse are partnering to bring you a monthly Craft and Act event! Every second Tuesday of the month from 5-6:30pm, come to Wheelhouse to craft, build community, learn about current events, gain resources, and participate in calls to action. Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

Another week has gone by and we wanted to have more friends on the show. So this week we are joined by some folks from Catalyst Montana! Julia and Dillion share with us how they got into organizing and what they have been up to this leg session. Looking to catch up on those bills? Be sure to check out our bill tracker AND read about it on our newsletter. Want to learn more about Catalyst Montana? Check out their website and follow them on social @catalyst_mt Events Missoula Stitch and Bitch April 28, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM The Center, 500 N Higgins Ave, Ste 105, Missoula, MT 59802 Forward Montana and the Western Montana Community Center are partnering up to bring the community of Missoula a MONTHLY Stitch and Bitch! Join us at The Center on the 4th Monday of each month from 6 - 7:30 pm. Bring your current project (or start a new craft!) while you gather in an environment of support, create community, and build collective power through arts n? crafts! A hodgepodge of embroidery, knit/crochet, and collage supplies will be available. Forward Montana UM Meeting May 2, 2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM The Branch Center, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812 Forward Montana's UM Student Group meetings are a place to decompress, talk out strategies, and for organizers and activists of all different realms to come together to a political home, and be in solidarity and community. Join us! May Stich and Bitch: Sewn and Seen-Trans Quilt Project Edition! May 8, 2025 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM 406 Pride Resource Center, 310 N 27th St, Billings. We’re taking our monthly(ish) Stitch and Bitch and combining it with a wonderful project with Butte artist BT and Catalyst Montana. Attendees will create an art piece with personal meaning on an 8x8" square of fabric. There will be assorted fabrics provided, but attendees can bring fabric that might be meaningful to them. Same with art supplies, we’ll provide some, but feel free to bring anything you love to work with. You don't have to consider yourself an artist or think you're "good at art" to contribute your own unique piece to this project! These squares will be sewn together, with pieces from other communities, to create a living textile that will travel to as many Prides in Montana as possible. Transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit people are centered for this event and allies are welcomed. Light food and drinks will be provided. Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

We love our friends at MEIC and how lucky Derf was able to join us this week. Zuri and John chat with Derf about how the session so far has looked for MEIC and what they were watching and working on. Check out MEIC and all their amazing work - they even have a bill tracker! Curious about some of our other bills we have been checking? Head to this weeks newsletter for more updates. Events: Rally to Oppose HB 121 April 21, noon to 1pm at the Missoula County Courthouse. Join Forward Montana, along Free and Fair coalition to rally our support for ACLU MT and plaintiffs in their first day in court to challenge unconstitutional law, HB 121. Bring a sign and get ready to cheer for trans rights! School Board Candidate Forums! Gallatin County School Board Meet and Greet April 22, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Bunkhouse Brewing, 7715 Shedhorn Dr, Bozeman, MT 59718 Come and join us in chatting with our school board candidates in Bozeman and Belgrade! We will be at Bunkhouse Brewing and will be getting to know our candidates ahead of the upcoming School Board Election on May 6th! We will provide everyone's first drink! See you there! Sign Up Now Flathead School Board Candidate Forum! April 24, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Bias Brewing (new location!), 412 Main St, Kalispell, MT 59901 Want to be a part of an exciting, impactful event in our community? Join us at the Flathead School Board Candidate Forum on April 24th from 5-7 PM at Bias Brewery! This is a great opportunity to get involved in local elections and make sure the voices of our young people are heard! Come grab a cold one, some snacks, and all the tea! Sign Up Now Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

You might need the bill tracker for this one! If you're eyeing our title yeah... we know... we're nerds! Zuri & John are joined by FMT's Morgan Syring - our LGBTQ + Organizer! Morgan shares what this first legislative session has been like for them. We then launch into an update on a handful of the bills we have been watching as this is the second transmittal of the session. Events School Board Candidate Forums! Billings School District #2 Candidate Forum/Meet and Greet! April 16 from 6 to 8 PM at the Art House Cinema and Pub, 109 N 30th St, Billings, MT 59101 Billings! It’s that time of year again and there are 2 competitive school board trustee seats up for election in School District #2 with the election coming up on May 6th. Please join Forward Montana and League of Women Voters for a candidate forum/meet and greet. We’ve invited all candidates in the two competitive districts #5 and #7 and look forward to a night of hearing from them about their plan for the school board + hearing from YOU so you can learn more and make an informed vote! This event will be part classic forum with Q and A with the candidates and part meet and greet so community members can get face time with candidates! We’ll have light food and drinks and cannot wait to see you there. Gallatin County School Board Meet and Greet April 22, 2025 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Bunkhouse Brewing, 7715 Shedhorn Dr, Bozeman, MT 59718 Come and join us in chatting with our school board candidates in Bozeman and Belgrade! We will be at Bunkhouse Brewing and will be getting to know our candidates ahead of the upcoming School Board Election on May 6th! We will provide everyone's first drink! See you there! Sign Up Now Flathead School Board Candidate Forum! April 24, 2025 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Bias Brewing (new location!), 412 Main St, Kalispell, MT 59901 Want to be a part of an exciting, impactful event in our community? Join us at the Flathead School Board Candidate Forum on April 24th from 5-7 PM at Bias Brewery! This is a great opportunity to get involved in local elections and make sure the voices of our young people are heard! Come grab a cold one, some snacks, and all the tea! Sign Up Now Forward Montana UM Meeting April 18, 2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM The Branch Center, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812 Forward Montana's UM Student Group meetings are a place to decompress, talk out strategies, and for organizers and activists of all different realms to come together to a political home, and be in solidarity and community. Join us! MSU FMT Club Meeting April 21, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wilson Hall, Wilson Hall, Bozeman, MT 59715 Come join the Forward Montana club for community, crafts and civic engagement! We will meet in Wilson 2105 from 6-7pm every other Monday! Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

406-444-4800. Call the Capitol Switchboard! Zuri is running things solo this week! They cover everything from Trans Visibility Day, to Climate, housing and repro updates. Also they tell us about one of the most important bills HB2 - the budget. Curious about the temporary restraining order on HB121? Read more about it here. You can call the governor’s office at 406-444-3111. Events: Capitol Events Friday, April 18 from noon to 1pm Defend the Montana Supreme Court Rally. Some legislators are trying to play politics with the State Supreme Court – but we won’t let that happen! Join Catalyst Montana, Forward Montana, Northern Plains Resource Fund, and Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund at the Montana State Capitol to defend the Montana Supreme Court! RSVP HERE Friday, April 18, 2025 from 10am to noon. Join Catalyst MT for their lobby day, where attendees can gain hands-on experience in sharing their lived experience and vision with legislators in the Montana State Capitol building in Helena! For more information and to RSVP, go here! Community Events MSU FMT Club Meeting Community Building April 7, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wilson Hall, Wilson Hall, Bozeman, MT 59715 Come join the Forward Montana club for community, crafts and civic engagement! We will meet in Wilson 2105 from 6-7pm every other Monday! Craft and Act with Wheelhouse Community Building April 8, 2025 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM Studio Wheelhouse, 10 Evergreen Dr, Ste B, Bozeman, MT 59715 Forward Montana and Wheelhouse are partnering to bring you a monthly Craft and Act event! Every second Tuesday of the month from 5-6:30pm, come to Wheelhouse to craft, build community, learn about current events, gain resources, and participate in calls to action. Sign Up Now Queer Skillshare: Drop Spindle Community Building April 10, 2025 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Yarn Bar, 2909 2nd Ave N, Billings, MT 59101 The Billings team is excited to announce our April Queer Skillshare event: Drop Spindle Spinning! Join us for an introduction into how to spin your own yarn. Drop spindles and wool provided. This event will be limited to 10 people, so please RSVP soon! Sign Up Now Forward Montana UM Meeting Community Building April 11, 2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM The Branch Center, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812 Forward Montana's UM Student Group meetings are a place to decompress, talk out strategies, and for organizers and activists of all different realms to come together to a political home, and be in solidarity and community. Join us! Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

This week we give you all your legislative updates, from the nasty nine, to a handful of folks who seem to have forgotten what our constitution says. Zuri & John tell us all about this pretty exhausting week. Something you hear make you mad... me too...want to do something about it? Maybe share your story or message your representative! Events: TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY - Monday, March 31 Join Forward MT and our Free and Fair coalition partners on Monday, March 31 from noon-1pm at Montana Capitol Flag Plaza in Helena. Join us at the State Capitol to Rally for Trans Rights to celebrate trans joy, resilience, and community! This year’s focus: trans people fighting back against attacks from the legislature. This legislative session, we’ve seen 20+ bills that have attempted to block access to gender-affirming care, remove essential social services, and strip away our rights. RSVP here. Join Catalyst Montana, Butte Pride Foundation and BT Livermore from 6 to 9 pm for this exciting community event. The art made at this event will contribute to the Montana Trans Quilt Project! Pizza, drinks and supplies provided. Attendees should plan to create an art piece with personal meaning on an 8x8 square of fabric (provided, or bring your own piece!) Join TransVisble and The Western Montana LGBTQ Center from 5pm at The Center for pizza and community. Starting at 7pm at the Missoula County Courthouse for speakers and rally. —- Friday, April 4th. Join Forward Montana UM Meeting from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM at The Branch Center, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula. Forward Montana's UM Student Group meetings are a place to decompress, talk out strategies, and for organizers and activists of all different realms to come together to a political home, and be in solidarity and community. Join us! Monday, April 7, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wilson Hall, Wilson Hall, Bozeman, MT 59715 Come join the Forward Montana club for community, crafts and civic engagement! We will meet in Wilson 2105 from 6-7pm every other Monday! Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

Our representatives have not lost momentum in the the transmittal break. Let’s jump back in. Sage, from our FMT legislative team joins us again to give us a little update on some housing bills that we have been watching! Zuri and John share some ethics committee drama and tell us all about how some folks just don't really understand our Montana constitution. SEND COMMENTS, SHARE STORIES & REACH OUT TO YOUR LEGISLATURE HERE. Capitol Events: Monday, March 31 from noon-1pm at Montana Capitol Flag Plaza in Helena. Join us at the State Capitol to Rally for Trans Rights to celebrate trans joy, resilience, and community! This year’s focus: trans people fighting back against attacks from the legislature. This legislative session, we’ve seen 20+ bills that have attempted to block access to gender-affirming care, remove essential social services, and strip away our rights. RSVP here. Community Events: Saturday, March 22nd from 4:30-7:30pm at Uptown Hearth in Columbia Falls. Join us for The Making Place’s Art Café Night! This is a perfect chance to engage with the community, support civic participation, and enjoy a creative, welcoming atmosphere. Come for the art, stay for the impact, and help us ensure everyone’s voice is heard before the school board election. Monday, March 24th from 5:30-7:30pm at Shine Beer Sanctuary in Bozeman. Join us for the Bozeman Housing Happy Hour. If you are a renter, your food or drink is on us! This month, we are focused on stories -- What is your housing story?? Join us at The Center on Monday, March 24th from 6-7:30pm as we partner with the Western Montana Community Center to bring you a MONTHLY Stitch and Bitch! Bring your current project (or start a new craft!) while you gather in an environment of support, create community, and build collective power through arts n’ crafts! A hodgepodge of embroidery, knit/crochet, and collage supplies will be available. Monday, March 24 from 6-7pm Wilson Hall, Bozeman- Come join the MSU FMT Club Meeting for community, crafts and civic engagement! We will meet in Wilson 2105 from 6-7pm every other Monday! Join the Billings Forward Montana team at the Billings Public Library community room from 530-730 pm on Tuesday, March 25th for another fun stitch and bitch event! We’ll be talking about what’s going on in Billings, up in Helena at the legislative session and anything else YOU want to talk about with us and other community members. This will be a relaxed stitch and bitch style event so bring a craft to work on while we talk! Free food and drinks provided. Saturday, March 29, 2025 6:30-8pm, Trans Day of Visibility - Pre Event in 732 S 1st St W, Missoula. We’ll have a Know Your Rights training, a discussion on the history of TDOV, and sign making supplies for Monday’s TDOV events. Free food and drinks provided. RSVP here. Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

This week didn’t make us cry! Yay!! Oh also, John and Zuri have some guests! But before that… This week was transmittal - hope you got your rest. We are now diving into the second half of our legislative session! On to our guests!! We are so happy to be joined this week by Carl Anderson & Tess Rosbarsky from MontPIRG! They share what they have been keeping an eye this leg session. Want to learn more about MontPIRG? Head to their website, give them a call (406) 243-2908 and, follow them on instagram @montpirg. Events: sign up Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

Well we made it! Halfway through the legislative session. This week John & Zuri are joined by the rest of the legislative team: Morgan, Sage, & Taryn. Together they update us on where we are at in regards to Repro rights, housing, & LGBTQ+ rights! Here is the link to our bill tracker, and the Montana Bill Explorer! If you are curious about any of the other bills we have mentioned be sure to check out the What the Helena blog! Want to watch whats going on in Helena? Here is the link to stream live or access a recording! Events: MSU FMT Student Group Meeting Wilson Hall, Bozeman, MT 59715 March 10, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Craft and Act with Wheelhouse Studio Wheelhouse, 10 Evergreen Dr Ste B, Bozeman, MT 59715 March 11, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM Come to Wheelhouse to craft, build community, learn about current events, gain resources, and participate in calls to action. Queer skillshare: Vision Boarding with Transvisible Headwaters Confluence Center, 119 W Main St Fl 1, Missoula, MT 59802 March 18, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Amidst the ongoing attacks on trans, non-binary, and two-spirit Montanans in the current legislative session, we will learn how to use vision boarding as a tool for clarifying our goals as a community, envisioning success, staying motivated, and strengthening our focus through our art. All supplies will be provided! Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

The pressure is on with transmittal coming up! This week some updates on the judiciary attacks as well as some good and bad bills we have been watching! Feeling lost with all these bills here is the link to our bill tracker! And the link to the Montana Bill Explorer. Want to listen to committee meetings and other going ons in the capitol? Here is the link to the Watch and Listen page. Finally, we want YOU to reach out to your representatives! Stay engaged this session and make your thoughts known to your legislators! Looking for some pointers on giving public comment? We've got you covered with a handy one pager on best practices. EVENTS: Saturday, March 8th at 3pm to 5pm - our partners at Empower MT will be holding a LGBTQ+ Teen Clothing Swamp at the Center in Missoula. MSU FMT Club Meeting Community Building March 10, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wilson Hall, Wilson Hall, Bozeman, MT 59715 Come join the Forward Montana club for community, crafts and civic engagement! We will meet in Wilson 2105 from 6-7pm every other Monday! Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

This week we dive right in with a vibe check. Couple new contenders including an anti -vaxx bill and a couple focusing on voter rights (aka your rights). Rounding out the episode is a villain you've all been waiting for... Struggling to keep track of all these bills? (TBH me too) here is a link to our Bill tracker! Psssst!!! We really want you to call your representative!!! Looking for some pointers on giving public comment? We've got you covered with a handyone pager on best practices. Forward Montana legislative team will have our final zoom event next week. We’ll walk you through what’s happening at the Legislature around housing policy, share how to give public comment, and answer any questions you have about the session! Join us on Thursday, Feb 27th at 6pm for our Housing issues session with Sage, our Housing and Voter Engagement Organizer Monday, February 24 at 6pm to 7pm - MSU FMT Club Meeting Wilson Hall Tuesday, February 25 at 5:30pm to 7pm - Bozeman Black History Month Celebration at the The Cultured Community Center, 1520 W Beall St, Bozeman, MT 59715 Come join the Forward Montana team as we learn about the history and significance of quilting in the African American community! We will end the evening with an update from the legislative session and how the community can get involved! (We will not be sewing a quilt, but will be coloring one smaller squares of quilt to make one larger version!) Saturday, March 1st 12:30-2:30PM at Bozeman Public Library (virtual option available!) Join Forward Montana and Queer Bozeman for an informative session and panel discussion on how you can find your power during this uncertain and challenging Montana legislative session. This event will provide valuable insights on how to stay informed, get involved, take care of yourself, and advocate for the issues that matter most to you. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and learn how to make your voice heard! RSVP Here Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

This week Zuri & John give us the update on the anti-trans bills, medicaid bills, and some of the wins we saw this week! We were also introduced to a few bills that attack MEPA (Montana Environmental Protection Agency). An agency and upholds the our constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment! How to leave public comment: As with most things related to the State of Montana there are always changes. If you want to submit a public comment or virtually testify this session it works a bit different. Here are the steps you need to take! hereStanding Committee testify remotely and/or submit testimonybills or committeesopponent or proponent. Stay engaged this session and make your thoughts known to your legislators! Looking for some pointers on giving public comment? We’ve got you covered with a handy one pager on best practices. EVENTS: Public Lands Rally Wednesday, Feb. 19 • Noon — 1 p.m. at the Capitol Rotunda, Helena Forward Montana legislative team will be hosting a series of zoom events. We’ll walk you through what’s happening at the Legislature around LGBTQ+ Rights, Reproductive Rights and Housing! LGBTQ+ Rights Session: 2/18/2025 with Morgan, our LGBTQ+ and Voter Engagement Organizer Reproductive Rights Session: 2/20/2025 with Taryn, our Reproductive Rights and Voter Engagement Organizer Housing issues session: 2/27/2025 with Sage, our Housing and Voter Engagement Organizer February Housing Happy Hour Missoula Stitch and Bitch Bring your current project while you gather in an environment of support, create community, and build collective power through arts n’ crafts! A hodgepodge of embroidery, knit/crochet, and collage supplies will be available. February 24, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM The Center, 500 N Higgins Ave Ste 105, Missoula, MT 59802 Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

This week ended with some drama!! like, "tmr we're gonna duel" type drama. In this episode we chat about some important legislative bills, a villain who is scared & petty, and a hero who stood up for the health of montanans. Remember, folks these senators and representatives, represent YOU. and so we REALLY REALLY want you to reach out to them so that they don't forget that. And hey, maybe this weekend you do something that brings you joy! Here is that link for the online portal where you can message you legislator! Capitol Events: On Thursday, February 13, join us and our partners at the I <3 Montana Constitution Rally. Gohere to learn more and RSVP. On Friday February 14 through Saturday February 15, join our partner Catalyst MT at their annual Policy Leadership Institute. The 2-day conference will cover a wide-range of policy issues, and include skill building sessions. Learn more and sign uphere! FMT Events: Forward Montana legislative team will be hosting aseries of zoom events. We’ll walk you through what’s happening at the Legislature around LGBTQ+ Rights, Reproductive Rights and Housing! LGBTQ+ Rights Session: 2/18/2025 with Morgan, our LGBTQ+ and Voter Engagement Organizer Reproductive Rights Session:2/20/2025 with Taryn, our Reproductive Rights and Voter Engagement Organizer Housing issues session: 2/27/2025 with Sage, our Housing and Voter Engagement Organizer Local events: Missoula Community Soup Night Come decompress, be in community, and talk shit about your legislators all while eating some mouth watering soup. BYOB (bring your own bowl) Feb 9th, 7-9pm 422 W Alder St, Missoula, MT 59802 Commissioners Chat: Bozeman Growth Come and join the Forward Montana team in chatting with two of our city commissioners! We will have two commissioners in the room who want to hear more from our young community members who are renters! February 10, 2025 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Bozeman Office, 125 W Mendenhall St, Bozeman, MT 59715 MSU FMT Club Meeting Come join the Forward Montana club for community, crafts and civic engagement! February 10, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wilson Hall, Wilson Hall, Bozeman, MT 59715 Stay engaged this session and make your thoughts known to your legislators! Looking for some pointers on giving public comment? We've got you covered with a handy one pager on best practices. Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

I think someone forgot to tell us that they were recording Mean Girls 3 in Helena this week? We were SO disappointed in the anti-trans bills that reared their ugly faces this week. These bills are just more of the same discriminatory b.s. we've seen in the past. On the brighter side of things, we saw the housing fairness tax credit bill (HB 154) pass through committee and is headed to the House Appropriations for a hearing next week! Want to listen to our hero of the week showing us what it means to be bold: CLICK HERE. EVENTS: On Thursday, February 13, join us and our partners at the I <3 Montana Constitution Lobby Day & Rally. Go here to learn more and RSVP. On Friday February 14 through Saturday February 15, join our partner Catalyst MT at their annual Policy Leadership Institute. The 2-day conference will cover a wide-range of policy issues, and include skill building sessions. Learn more and sign up here! Local events: Missoula Community Soup Night Come decompress, be in community, and talk shit about your legislators all while eating some mouth watering soup. BYOB (bring your own bowl) Feb 9th, 7pm 422 W Alder St MetraPark Protest Join us for a peaceful protest against President Trump's mass deportations and the Yellowstone County commissioners’ willingness to use the MetraPark for immigrant detainment Saturday, Feb 1 and Sunday, 2, starting 10am MetraPark - First Interstate Arena, 308 6th Ave N, Billings, MT. As with most things related to the State of Montana there are always changes. If you want to submit a public comment or virtually testify this session it works a bit different. Make an account by going here! Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

Week three down! The capitol is buzzing with hectic energy. From medicaid bills, pro-housing billing, judicial attacks, and another anti-trans bill. Our hosts give you all the details - brace yourself - this one might get spicy. HOW TO SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENT As with most things related to the State of Montana there are always changes. If you want to submit a public comment or virtually testify this session it works a bit different. Here are the steps you need to take! Make an account by going here You’ll see several options to select, throughout this session we will be directing you to the Standing Committee section to either testify remotely and/or submit testimony (public comment). We will direct you to specific bills or committees to address either as an opponent or proponent. We will do our best to make it clear what we are supporting and what we strongly oppose. Stay engaged this session and make your thoughts known to your legislators! Looking for some pointers on giving public comment? We've got you covered with a handy one pager on best practices. Want a deep dive in tax policy? Go to our partner’s at Montana Budget and Policy Center. EVENTS: Bozeman Stich and Bitch: 2025 Visioning Edition Friday, January 31st from 6-7:30PM at the Bozeman Office. Join Forward Montana at our first Stitch and Bitch of the year! Bring your own craft to work on or use provided collage supplies to create a 2025 vision board. Join us to craft, discuss the legislative session and build community, and eat FREE snacks! MSU FMT Club Meeting Monday, January 27th from 6-7:30 PM Wilson Hall. Looking to get involved on campus? Join the MSU Forward Montana Club for our first meeting of the semester! Come hang out, make some fun crafts, write comments to your legislators and get to know more about Forward Montana! Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

Wow week two showed up and brought a large crowd rallying for medicaid, a disappointing state of the state address, and a hero fighting for those lost to families across montana. Our hosts update us on the bills we’ve been keeping an eye on and updates on other happenings in Helena. For more information on how to get involved with medicaid advocacy head to www.healthymontana.org/ Events: Monday, January 20th, join our Billings team at the Black Heritage Foundation of Billings MLK day event. All Nation Christian church @ 5pm - program at 6pm. Wednesday, January 22 6pm-8:30pm. Montana Abortion Access Program "Art and Advocacy: Abortion Access in Focus." The event will be at Free Cycles (732 S 1st St. W, Missoula, MT 59801) and will feature a pop-up gallery and artist talk, as well as a panel discussion on the impact of the Dobbs decision with speakers from MAAP, Blue Mountain Clinic, Planned Parenthood, and Montanans for Choice. The event is free to attend, though donations are welcome! The program will begin at 6:30 pm, doors open at 6 PM. Thursday, January 5:30-7pm Housing Happy Hour at Shine in Bozeman. Join Bozeman Welcoming Neighbors for a drink and chats about Bozeman’s Pro-Housing Initiatives. Friday, January 24th from 5:30-7:30pm, join us in Whitefish at our Introduction to Crochet and Fiber Arts Workshop, located at the Whitefish Community Center. Come get yarn, learn to crochet, and tell us all your session-related questions. Refreshments will be provided - please RSVP (link here) so we know how many hooks to bring! Climate Advocacy Day - Friday Jan 24th 11am - 2pm. Join the Forward MT legislative team this year’s Climate Advocacy Day in the Capitol Rotunda. More info here about the Climate Advocacy Day. Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week ⁠here⁠! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

Take a deep breath cause the first week of the 2025 Legislative Session is over! Anyone else feel like each Session gets a little bit more chaotic? In this episode meet our two new hosts Zuri & John, as they take us through the happenings of the week from senate drama to a hopeful affordable housing bill! Events: Wednesday, January 15th join Montana’s from across the state at Capitol Flag Plaza (in front of the Capitol building) for the Montana Medicaid Rally. RSVP here! Thursday January 16th at 12pm, join us at a virtual action to Call Your Lawmaker. This youth-led event will provide you with the tools and practice on how to contact your legislator - in particular, to invite them to the Climate Day of Action, happening on Friday, January 24th, in the Capitol Rotunda. RSVP here for the virtual call. More info here about the Climate Advocacy Day. Sign up to receive What the Helena right to your inbox every week here! Stay up to date with all things Forward Montana on Instagram @forward_montana! Hosted by Zuri Moreno & John Bazant Edited by Ashley Lobao Music by Cowboy Calamity

Well here we are - at the end of 2024. Kiersten & Lyla convene to chat about how our year went at Forward Montana. We also hear from Zuri, our new Legislative Director, about what we can expect next year during the 2025 session. Be sure to tune back in next year where we will be providing weekly updates - here & on our website! Looking for more information about how the legislative session works? Head here! You can follow Forward Montana on instagram @forward_montana and on Tiktok @forwardmontana. This episode was hosted by Lyla & Kiersten and edited by Ashley.

In this episode two of our staff members: Ashley & Sage talk about Montana's Housing Crisis. We talk about Zoning, Homelessness and the overall cost of housing in Montana. Here are some resources pertaining to housing in Montana: thehrdc.org/housing/ www.prohousingmissoula.org/bzntenantsunited.org/mthousingcoalition.org/www.missoulahousing.org/Cracking the Zoning code