Rep Powers submitted her second bill today, HB 378.  This bill will repeal the prohibition against inclusionary zoning.  This bill is about local control and affordable housing…two things that are important to House District 3, especially Whitefish.

The Republican majority in the Legislature is filing many bills attacking the Judicial Branch of government.  Rep Powers spoke on the House floor supporting an independent judiciary.  As a former high school social studies teacher, she schooled her fellow legislators on the separation of powers.  She was quoted in the Helena Independent Record as saying “I think that if we are tired of the judiciary striking down the laws that we make, that we need to stop passing unconstitutional laws that trample on the rights of the people.”

Rep Powers’ first bill, HB229, had a hearing before the House Natural Resources Committee on Climate Advocacy Day.  Many people traveled from all over Montana to attend the rally in the Capitol Rotunda and speak at the hearing.

Today, Representative Debo Powers submitted her first bill, HB 229.  If passed, this bill will implement the Montana Supreme Court decision in HELD V. STATE OF MONTANA brought by 16 youth plaintiffs.  The Supreme Court upheld their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment, including a stable climate.  This bill will codify that decision.

Today, Representative Debo Powers was sworn into office in the Montana House of Representatives.  She swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Montana.  Seated with her as her guest was Curtis Losey, a neighbor from the North Fork community that she represents.

New legislators attended “Law School for Legislators” today at the Capitol to get a crash course on how laws are made.  Even though Debo taught high school U.S. history and government, there is a lot to learn about the process.

Newly elected Debo Powers attended Legislator Orientation at the State Capitol in Helena this week.  She will be sworn in on the first day of the legislative session on January 6.   During the 2025 session, she will serve on the Appropriations Committee/subsection C: Natural Resources.

After working on the campaign for over a year, Debo Powers is elected to represent House District 3 in the Montana Legislature!

A large crowd enjoyed the Big Sky Victory Rally in Kalispell with excellent state-wide candidates: Senator Jon Tester, Monica Tranel, Ryan Busse, Raph Graybill, Shannon O’Brien, Ben Alke, John Repke, and Erin Farris-Olsen! Legislative candidates also joined them on the stage.

Mail-in ballots reached voters about a week ago.  It’s time to fill yours out and return it, if you have not already done so.  Ballots must be in the Elections Office by November 5.