A Closer Look at Billings and Montana’s Fiscal Future — Tony O’Donnell for City Council
WRITTEN BY
Staff Writer
You might be wondering, why should I care about local elections? Don’t all the big issues get decided at the Montana legislature, in Congress, or the courts? And isn’t city government just about zoning, noise complaints, and stray animals?
Well, yes, local governments handle those things. But have you stopped to consider the incredible and sometimes outrageous policies passed by “insignificant” local boards—things like:
• Sanctuary city policies
• Defiance of ICE enforcement
• Red flag laws
• Special rights based on gender beliefs
• Mask mandates and quarantines
• Restrictions on gas-powered cars
• Confiscatory zoning regulations
• Firearms prohibitions
• Mandates for paper bags, paper straws,
smaller soda servings
• Defunding police
• Public housing and taxpayer-funded
benefits for undocumented immigrants
• Facial recognition technology
• “Smart city” initiatives tied to Agenda 21
• Traffic cameras
• Flying “gay pride” flags at city hall
If you’re okay with these policies, stop reading now. If not, keep reading—because these issues aren’t just abstract debates; they impact your wallet, your safety, and your community’s future.