MCVcast | MT Conservation Voters

This special Legislative Update edition of MCVcast features a closer look at the threats to public lands, the environment and voting rights in the Montana Legislature. Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown, Whitner Chase and Aaron Murphy explore the reaction to Governor Gianforte’s signing of two anti-voting rights bills. Plus, how to take action as lawmakers ignore the will of voters who overwhelmingly approved public lands funding. And a new Earth Day climate challenge… and a remarkable conversation...

On this bonus episode of MCVcast, we hear from consultant Barrett Kaiser, who commandeered an Ammon Bundy news conference at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge. Barrett joins us to talk about the future of Bundy’s so-called “People’s Rights Movement.” Plus Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown, Whitner Chase and Aaron Murphy break down the key conservation bills in the Montana Legislature, and an upcoming rally on 406 Day... More questions than answers about Gov. Gianforte’s recent killing of a wolf... And an...

This week the executive Director of MontPIRG joins MCVcast to talk about the concerning trend of voter suppression legislation in the works in Montana and across the country. Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown, Whitner Chase and Aaron Murphy also go to the steps of the Montana State Capitol to push for public lands funding. Plus, two new lawsuits from Montana against the Biden Administration, and a new Interior Secretary! LINKS: * Legislative proposal for marijuana revenue shortchanges public lands...

Whitney Williams, Ivan MacDonald and Mary Rutherford, some of the folks behind the innovative new Snowbird Fund, stop by MCVcast to talk about the important work of supporting Indigenous families as they search for missing loved ones. Plus Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown, Whitner Chase and Aaron Murphy cover the bipartisan support for a historic Interior nominee, the flood of legislation -- good and bad -- in the Montana Legislature, the local mayors who have signed on to protect land and water,...

The organization Protect Our Winters is playing an active role in Montana. This week, POW’s Lindsay Bourgoine joins MCVcast to talk about turning outdoors enthusiasts into climate advocates. Plus, Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown, Whitner Chase and Aaron Murphy recap the confirmation hearing of Interior Secretary Nominee Deb Haaland, and the blowback of Senator Steve Daines’ opposition to her. We examine the hot bills in the Montana Legislature as lawmakers wrap their first half of the session…...

This week former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota joins MCVcast to talk about “reopening dialogue” with rural America through the One Country Project. Plus, Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown, Whitner Chase and Aaron Murphy question the priorities of the Montana Legislature, especially when it comes to disincentivizing renewable energy in the Big Sky State. We also poke holes in Senator Steve Daines’ latest controversial tweet, and Secretary of State Christi Jacobson’s troublesome reason...

State Senator Susan Webber of Browning swings by MCVcast to talk about Senator Steve Daines’s poorly reasoned opposition to Interior nominee Deb Haaland, state legislation affecting tribal sovereignty, and her push for Indigenous Peoples Day in Montana. Plus, Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown, Whitner Chase and Aaron Murphy explore the week’s highlights in the Montana Legislature, a striking new coal forecast, and new numbers about Montanans’ views on public lands and conservation. LINKS: * SB 169:...

Rich Janssen, the Head of Natural Resources for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, joins MCVcast this week to discuss the tribes’ new management of the National Bison Range. Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown and Aaron Murphy welcome the newest member of the MCV team to the podcast. Congressman Matt Rosendale lands in controversy for opposing a historic cabinet nominee, we break down Governor Greg Gianforte’s State of the State address, and a jobs threat from the ban on oil and gas leasing...

Keaton Sunchild, the political director of Western Native Voice, joins MCVcast to discuss the latest attack on voting rights in Montana. Plus Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown and Aaron Murphy round up the other concerning bills in the Montana Legislature, and look at “the biggest day for climate action in more than a decade” at the White House. LINKS: * Biden remarks on Jan. 27 climate, jobs and conservation executive orders: https://bit.ly/2Yj8bMi * Factsheet on Biden’s Jan. 27 executive orders...

MCVcast celebrates the arrival of new leadership in Washington, as the Biden Administration takes bold action to protect the climate and the environment. This week we hear from the Chairman of the Ft. Peck Assiniboine Council on the revocation of the Keystone XL Pipeline, and from House Minority Leader Kim Abbott on how conservation champs are pushing for change in Helena. Plus, Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown and Aaron Murphy round up the week’s conservation headlines. LINKS: * Biden Re-enters...

Darrell Ehrlick, the editor of Montana’s newest news organization, joins MCVcast to talk about the Daily Montanan. Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown and Aaron Murphy recap the reactions from Montana’s congressional delegation to the attack on the U.S. Capitol and highlight what’s missing in Governor Gianforte’s proposed state budget. Plus, a comeback plan for a species missing in the Little Belt Mountains for a century. LINKS: * Public radio interview with Sen. Jon Tester by Aaron Bolton:...

Season 4 of MCVcast kicks off with Livingston small business owner and former Montana Wildlife Commissioner Dan Vermillion and a conversation about Montana’s new elected leaders. Plus Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown and Aaron Murphy cover the inauguration and new cabinet of Governor Greg Gianforte, the armed terrorist insurrection of the US Capitol, a new MCV effort to hold all elected leaders accountable, and more public land in Montana. LINKS: * Gianforte’s Cabinet: http://bit.ly/399dZgB *...

Martha Williams, the outgoing director of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks joins our final MCVcast episode of 2020 to reflect on her agency’s challenges and opportunities in the future. Aaron Murphy, Whitney Tawney and Jake Brown report on the newest names rounding out the incoming Gianforte Administration, a new threatened species in Montana, and a climate solution for… cow belches. LINKS: * Contribute to MCV: https://mtvoters.org/donate * All previous episodes of MCVcast:...

Rachel Schmidt, the Director of the Governor’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, swings by MCVcast with new numbers showcasing the strength of Montana’s “powerhouse” outdoor recreation economy. Aaron Murphy, Whitney Tawney and Jake Brown cover the latest controversy surrounding Governor-elect Gianforte’s transition team, an LWCF whiff from the U.S. Interior Secretary, and a historic election for the Northern Cheyenne Nation. LINKS: * Gianforte’s DNRC and DEQ Transition Team:...

Gwen Florio, the former editor of the Missoulian, joins MCVcast for a discussion about the future of journalism and political coverage in Montana. Plus, Aaron Murphy, Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown and Clara Stein break down the 2020 Election Results, explore the GOP’s agenda for 2021 and… a new website for the MCV Education Fund! LINKS: * Montana 2020 Election Results: https://electionresults.mt.gov/ * Montana Free Press: How will the GOP spend its mandate? https://bit.ly/35pHhXs * Leaked GOP...

This week MCVcast features our final candidate interview of the 2020 Election season. PSC Candidate Valerie McMurtry joins us from Billings to talk about “arrogance and stupidity” of the current Public Service Commission. Plus Aaron Murphy, Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown and Clara Stein hear from Bryce Bennett about another screwup by the Secretary of State’s office, new conservation legislation from Montana’s senior senator, and… fishing with drones? Not so fast! LINKS: * Find your local...

Outside Magazine columnist Wes Siler joins MCVcast from Bozeman for a chat about Montana’s anti-public lands politicians. Plus Aaron Murphy, Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown and Clara Stein dive into this week’s PSC debate, new “leadership” legislation from Senator Jon Tester, and a fight over public land access in Attorney General candidate Austin Knudsen’s hometown. LINKS: * NPR: Trump’s public lands chief hasn’t left despite judge’s order: https://n.pr/2Tkj7Xz * Senator Tester introduces bill...

Former Montana Secretary of State -- and former Republican -- Bob Brown joins MCVcast to discuss Donald Trump, the political landscape and his recent ‘declaration of independence’ from the GOP. Plus Aaron Murphy, Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown and Clara Stein look at some contradictory words from embattled Senator Steve Daines, a rare interview with the BLM’s “unlawful” Acting Director, and a botched endorsement from one of Montana’s leading newspapers. LINKS: * William Perry Pendley struggles...

In this bonus episode, MCVcast goes to Helena for a deep dive into why Montana’s biggest public lands organizations are throwing their support behind I-190 and CI-118. Montana voters will get to weigh in on this public lands effort on the ballot. MCV’s Aaron Murphy joined the Montana Wildlife Federation’s Nick Gevock, Wild Montana Action Fund’s Dr. Kayje Booker, and the Trust for Public Land’s David Weinstein for an event at Spring Meadow Lake State Park on October 5. LINKS: * Public Lands...

This week MCVcast goes to Helena for a deep dive into why Montana’s biggest public lands organizations are throwing their support behind I-190 and CI-118. Plus Aaron Murphy, Whitney Tawney, Jake Brown, and the newest member of the MCVcast crew, Clara Stein, show us Gov. Bullock’s latest volley in the fight against unlawful bureaucrat William Perry Pendley, and recap a pair of gubernatorial debates. LINKS: * AP: Bullock asks court to block actions by Pendley: https://bit.ly/3jA7J5s * Letter...