Blue Bench Podcast

Ravalli County Republican Senator Jason Ellsworth is banned from the Senate Floor. Shannon and Gaby discuss updates on the budget and what we can expect in the last month of the session. Gaby interviews former Montana Supreme Court Justice Mike Wheat about MTGOP attacks on the judiciary.

It was a historic week in the Montana Legislature! A MTGOP lawmaker faces calls for expulsion from his own party. Plus, Medicaid Expansion is signed into law! Shannon interviews Senator Derek Harvey from Butte. You don’t want to miss this episode.

Special co-host guest (and Montana Democratic Party Development Director!) Tiffany Williams joins us this week for Blue Bench. Tiffany shares her insights on slashes and cuts to the Department of Education and bills making their way through the Legislature. Shannon sits down with former lawmaker and lobbyist for Big Sky 55+, Margie Macdonald.

It's half time in the 2025 legislative session! The Montana Legislature has reached transmittal and Gaby and Shannon breakdown the good, the bad, and the ugly at the halfway mark of the session.

Welcome to week nine of the Montana Legislative session! This week, Shannon interview Representative Jonathan Karlen about property taxes and childcare bills. Next week, the Montana Democratic Party will host a virtual town hall with leadership from the Montana House and Senate Democrats. Join us!

Medicaid Expansion is heading to the Governor's desk. Gaby and Shannon have all the updates to get you through week 8 of the legislative session! Plus, a special interview with Rep. Mary Caferro from Helena.

Happy Valentine's Day from the Montana Democratic Party! This week, Gaby and Shannon discuss education bills, housing and a MTGOP bill proposing the 10 Commandments should be on display in every public school classroom in Montana. Shannon sits down with Senator Susan Webber from Browning to discuss bills from the Montana American Indian Caucus.

Gaby and Shannon break down housing bills that received hearings in the House Judiciary Committee meeting this week. Plus, MTGOP is after your reproductive freedom… again! Shannon sits down with constitutional attorney and former candidate for Lieutenant Governor Raph Graybill to discuss Republican attempts to politicize and dismantle the independence of our judiciary.

Shannon sits down Montana House Democrats Minority Leader Katie Sullivan to discuss everything from housing to Medicaid!

Gaby and Shannon sit down and with Minority Leader Senator Pat Flowers to talk property taxes, Medicaid Expansion, affordable housing and public schools.

Gaby and Shannon break down Medicaid Expansion and property tax bills in the Legislature. Gaby sits down with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana's Martha Fuller to discuss the Roe v. Wade decision anniversary and the future of reproductive freedom in Montana.

Join us weekly as we unpack and demystify the chaos and excitement that is the Montana Legislative Session. In this podcast, we’ll spotlight important bills, interview lawmakers and stakeholders, and give you the top-lines you need to know to understand the news out of Helena.