Rep Powers flew in a small plane with Peter Metcalf, Executive Director for Glacier Two Medicine Alliance, on EcoFlight to view a potential location for a Wildlife Crossing over Highway 2 in Bad Rock Canyon boarding House District 3.

Rep Debo Powers held an informational meeting at the Sondreson Community Hall north of Polebridge to explain the new property tax laws to her neighbors.  “I was being asked questions by so many neighbors that I decided to hold a community meeting and explain everything at the same time.”  The meeting was well attended and Rep Powers used a power point developed by the Department of Revenue.

Every summer, Representative Debo Powers volunteers as a fire lookout for the Flathead National Forest.  This summer’s hitch is on Cyclone Lookout near Polebridge in House District 3.  This is  part of her public service, watching for wildfires on the landscape.

When people commented that Rep Powers had survived the legislative session, she said “I not only survived, I thrived!”  Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd at the Flathead Democrat’s Spring Dinner, she told stories of victories and failures in the legislature and assured the crowd that she was ready to do it again!

The 2025 Legislature adjourned on April 30 after 4 months of hard work for the people of Montana.  Some of the highlights were: Medicaid continuation, Property Tax relief, STARS Act and more funding for public education, funding for conservation through marijuana tax dollars, and maintaining non-partisan election of judges.

Public school teachers came from all over the state to the Capitol to lobby their legislators.  Rep Powers met with teachers from Whitefish and Columbia Falls to talk about how to improve public education for all children in Montana.

Bipartisan work in the legislature is hard…..and necessary.  The Montana House in this legislative session is characterized by respect for each other even when we don’t agree on state policy.  As the minority party with 42% of the House, it is imperative that Democrats work with Republicans to find common ground when possible.

One of the worst anti-public land ideas came to the House in the form of House Resolution 24 to support Utah’s court case to seize control of federal public lands.  Rep Powers spoke on the House floor against this resolution in a speech warning legislators that their constituents were watching.  In recent polls, 87% of Montanans support keeping public lands in public hands.  The resolution was defeated by a coalition of Democrats and moderate Republicans.

Shortly after returning to Helena after the Transmittal Break, Rep Powers spoke on the House floor in support of funding for river user counts on iconic rivers throughout Montana.  This proposal includes all three branches of the wild-and-scenic Flathead River much of which runs through House District 3.  Having an accurate river user count is important data for river management and preservation.

During the Transmittal Break, Rep Powers attended a Leadership Development meeting sponsored by Montana Conservation Voters and Wild Montana.  The purpose of the meeting was to inspire people to run for political office and get involved in other ways.  Rep Powers spoke to the group about her experiences in the Legislature.