Here's the full story: .

RT @TimSheehyMT: I oppose the sale of public lands and will vote no on the motion to proceed if it is included.

These stories go so much deeper than the daily news churn-- And these are all just from today! That closes my case on why you should pay for your news🤓.

And from the Bureau's @SeabornLarson is a story on how the illness of the state lottery's sole bookkeeper led to accounting misstatements of $10 million. "My blood pressure certainly rose," a budget office employee said.

Also from the Bureau today is a look at how physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists are struggling without higher Medicaid reimbursements. A bill to increase the reimbursements was recently vetoed by the governor. By Carly Graf:

Tester, Racicot, Bullock and other political leaders are all backing a new initiative to rein in unlimited political spending and dark money in Montana. But multiple experts told me they're skeptical of the plan's ability to hold up in court.

"Your best writer, like your best quarterback, is really only as good as the team of guys who keep everything rolling." Via @jakeiverson57 .

A culmination of hundreds and hundreds of hours spent inside the Capitol this winter: By me, Carly Graf and @SeabornLarson.

RT @blairmiller: New from Carly Graf: . The Venezuelan man detained by immigration agents in Whitefish last week was released from custody….

RT @FJMandeville: And we're done

RT @MenInBlazers: Not just another day in Liverpool 🤯🤯. 📹 @KanwardLfc.

A Venezuelan migrant with legal status was pulled over for a traffic stop in Whitefish Thursday. Less than 24 hours later he’s in ICE custody. From twitter-less (enlightened) Carly Graf: .

RT @blairmiller: 'Once-in-a-generation' bill worth $900 million intensifies divisions at MT Legislature via @Victor….

And as one property tax relief package was celebrated by members of the House, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse and a group of former officials from the Schweitzer administration started a push for another bill.

Lobbyists for some of the state's largest businesses were "swarming" last week and negotiating behind closed doors with a select few legislators.

As the property tax negotiations ramp up, here are two stories on the groups and lobbyists quietly backing some of those competing measures:.

RT @blairmiller: Montana legislators, lobbyists make property tax progress behind the scenes via @Victoria_Eavis #m….

The committee voted against moving HB154 forward, the Democrats' other flagship property tax bill that would have provided a tax credit for homeowners AND renters based on income relative to their property tax bill.

The committee voted down HB528, which has been coined the "Busse Bill," as it simply cuts certain property tax rates. Lawmakers expressed concerns about how much the legislation raised taxes for agricultural land owners. Previous reporting on the bill here:

The committee also endorsed HB337, Speaker Ler's bill to cut income taxes. Instead of automatically cutting the rates over the next few years, the bill now has certain financial thresholds the state must meet to continue lowering the rates.

Prior to some of these votes, the Legislature has made little progress towards addressing property tax spikes. “We've gotta move this bill forward and at least for the optics of it for the state to say we’re taking property taxes seriously," Sen. Dave Fern said.