The work of people like Linda Stoll, and Ellen Leahy, encourage us to carry on in hard work knowing we will get crushed. Share a gratitude for someone whose life touched yours in ways that person may never know. Encourage, and give courage. It is contagious. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Gratitude for Ellen and Linda
Recently, Ellen Leahy told me a story of Linda Stoll.
open.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The work of people like Linda Stoll, and Ellen Leahy, encourage us to carry on in hard work knowing we will get crushed. Share a gratitude for someone whose life touched yours in ways that person may never know. Encourage, and give courage. It is contagious. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
No Montana, we don’t get a new plant and lower rates. The real story? The all-republican Commission increased our rates to pay for a gas plant that will supply data centers. It should tell it like it is. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
No Montana, we don’t get a new plant and lower rates
Figures don’t lie and liars don’t figure.
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
No Montana, we don’t get a new plant and lower rates. The real story? The all-republican Commission increased our rates to pay for a gas plant that will supply data centers. It should tell it like it is. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Corner Crossings in Montana
Republicans are doing the work of large private landowners and preventing Montanans from the same legal access to public land that our neighbors in Wyoming have.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Republicans are doing the work of large private landowners and preventing Montanans from the same legal access to public land that our neighbors in Wyoming have.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Corner Crossings in Montana
Hunting season is in full swing.
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Corner Crossings in Montana
Republicans are doing the work of large private landowners and preventing Montanans from the same legal access to public land that our neighbors in Wyoming have.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Republicans are doing the work of large private landowners and preventing Montanans from the same legal access to public land that our neighbors in Wyoming have.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Tuesday, November 18, the all-republican Public Service Commission will decide on another rate hike, and whether to make us pay for Yellowstone County Gas Plant. NorthWestern contracted to sell electricity from Yellowstone County Generating Station to data centers. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Republicans are raising rates – again
On Tuesday, November 18, 2025 the all-republican Montana Public Service Commission is considering NorthWestern’s most recent request to raise our rates.
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Tuesday, November 18, the all-republican Public Service Commission will decide on another rate hike, and whether to make us pay for Yellowstone County Gas Plant. NorthWestern contracted to sell electricity from Yellowstone County Generating Station to data centers. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Chicken little republicans govern by emergency rather than thoughtful deliberation. We the People must make the effort, over and over, to show up and speak out. That is the way democracy thrives. Show up, speak up, and know that our voice is what makes democracy go.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Government by emergency is very expensive
In 1952 President Harry Truman issued Executive Order 10340, seizing private steel operations to ensure defense contractors would keep production going during the Korean War.
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Chicken little republicans govern by emergency rather than thoughtful deliberation. We the People must make the effort, over and over, to show up and speak out. That is the way democracy thrives. Show up, speak up, and know that our voice is what makes democracy go.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Republicans including Gianforte, Daines, Zinke, Sheehy, and Downing voted against energy projects that have brought millions of dollars to rural Montana. We the People can find people who will work for us. Even if it means changing a century of habits.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Power for the People
On November 10, 1978 PURPA was signed into law. The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 was designed to encourage small-scale, distributed generation in places like Montana where transmissi...
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Republicans including Gianforte, Daines, Zinke, Sheehy, and Downing voted against energy projects that have brought millions of dollars to rural Montana. We the People can find people who will work for us. Even if it means changing a century of habits.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules on the tariff cases, Susan Webber’s challenge to tariffs under the Indian Commerce Clause is pending. Susan delivers a message of hope that community will prevail over big money. The backbone of the world still stands. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Tariffs impact on the backbone of the world
Yesterday the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether the President can, in violation of the constitution, impose unilateral tariffs.
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules on the tariff cases, Susan Webber’s challenge to tariffs under the Indian Commerce Clause is pending. Susan delivers a message of hope that community will prevail over big money. The backbone of the world still stands. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
On November 5, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on the tariffs. The President stopped pretending there is a reasonable relationship between the tariffs and a claimed “emergency.” Time to get back to business - and for the republicans to get back to work.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Tariffs hurt Montana
On November 5, 2020, the U.S.
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:24 PM
On November 5, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on the tariffs. The President stopped pretending there is a reasonable relationship between the tariffs and a claimed “emergency.” Time to get back to business - and for the republicans to get back to work.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Join the Farmers Union for some Halloween fun
At harvest time, engage with the farmers - ask questions, offer connections, meet new people, plant seeds of relationships to grow your own communities a little bigger and broader.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
At harvest time, engage with the farmers - ask questions, offer connections, meet new people, plant seeds of relationships to grow your own communities a little bigger and broader.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Join the Farmers Union for some Halloween fun
Today the Montana Farmers Union (MFU) kicks off its 110th Annual Convention at the Yogo Inn, Lewistown, that is equal parts policy summit, family reunion, and strategic renewal.
open.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Join the Farmers Union for some Halloween fun
At harvest time, engage with the farmers - ask questions, offer connections, meet new people, plant seeds of relationships to grow your own communities a little bigger and broader.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
At harvest time, engage with the farmers - ask questions, offer connections, meet new people, plant seeds of relationships to grow your own communities a little bigger and broader.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Lincoln said the role of government is “to give everyone an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life.” Montana was founded on many of Lincoln’s policies. Our land can be a place of connection and growth, for all the people.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Time for the people
This month my friend Staci died.
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Lincoln said the role of government is “to give everyone an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life.” Montana was founded on many of Lincoln’s policies. Our land can be a place of connection and growth, for all the people.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The Republicans strategy of staying home rather than governing means the only people guaranteed a paycheck during the shutdown are the ones refusing to do their jobs. Time to fire this Congress.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
We’re paying rich republicans not to work
The top five richest members of Congress are all Republicans:
open.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:45 PM
The Republicans strategy of staying home rather than governing means the only people guaranteed a paycheck during the shutdown are the ones refusing to do their jobs. Time to fire this Congress.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The Farm Bill covers school lunches to crop insurance for farmers. If the Farm Bill isn’t reauthorized by January 1, 2026, the Republicans will be forcing Americans to pay more for milk and butter. Republicans in congress - stop whining and get to work.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Farm Bill for the People
The weather has turned cool here in Montana.
open.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:37 PM
The Farm Bill covers school lunches to crop insurance for farmers. If the Farm Bill isn’t reauthorized by January 1, 2026, the Republicans will be forcing Americans to pay more for milk and butter. Republicans in congress - stop whining and get to work.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The show pony circus of Musk, Vought, and Zinke highlights the difference between those who seek money and power and those who wish to serve us, the People.
Let’s replace the pretenders, and elect work horses to clean up the mess the show ponies have made.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Let’s replace the pretenders, and elect work horses to clean up the mess the show ponies have made.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
We Need Work Horses not Show Ponies
Russell Vought, Elon Musk, and Ryan Zinke should take their three-pony circus on the road as long as they don’t want to work in Washington D.C.
open.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The show pony circus of Musk, Vought, and Zinke highlights the difference between those who seek money and power and those who wish to serve us, the People.
Let’s replace the pretenders, and elect work horses to clean up the mess the show ponies have made.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Let’s replace the pretenders, and elect work horses to clean up the mess the show ponies have made.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Corner crossings are at the U.S. Supreme Court this week. They are a good symbol for We the People. If we stand together, regardless of party or politics, and stand for public access to public resources, We will preserve our democratic union.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
October Hunt and Corner Crossings
October is hunting season in Montana.
open.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Corner crossings are at the U.S. Supreme Court this week. They are a good symbol for We the People. If we stand together, regardless of party or politics, and stand for public access to public resources, We will preserve our democratic union.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Starving their base: Republican shutdown hides rural Montana's hunger
In the time of the Republican Grim Reaper We the People can support local food banks, register people to vote, gather data, and be the eyes and ears on the ground that the Reaper fears.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
In the time of the Republican Grim Reaper We the People can support local food banks, register people to vote, gather data, and be the eyes and ears on the ground that the Reaper fears.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Starving their base: Republican shutdown hides rural Montana's hunger
The republicans shutdown starves their own voters
open.substack.com
October 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Starving their base: Republican shutdown hides rural Montana's hunger
In the time of the Republican Grim Reaper We the People can support local food banks, register people to vote, gather data, and be the eyes and ears on the ground that the Reaper fears.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
In the time of the Republican Grim Reaper We the People can support local food banks, register people to vote, gather data, and be the eyes and ears on the ground that the Reaper fears.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Tonight at 8:47 pm Mountain time there will be a supermoon rising among the Draconid meteor shower. A good reminder that here on earth, we can be the masters of our fates, and we can harvest different outcomes than the ones we are seeing play out now. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The Fault in our Stars
Tonight at 8:47 pm Mountain time there will be a supermoon rising among the Draconid meteor shower, the debris of ice and dust left behind by the comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner in space.
open.substack.com
October 7, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Tonight at 8:47 pm Mountain time there will be a supermoon rising among the Draconid meteor shower. A good reminder that here on earth, we can be the masters of our fates, and we can harvest different outcomes than the ones we are seeing play out now. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The federal government shutdown as a result of votes from places like Prairie County, which votes 80% republican in every race. The republicans shut down federal workers across America while funding Argentina, and making sure a ballroom continues to get built. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Prairie county voted to shut itself down
Prairie County, Montana has a population of 1,251.
open.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 12:24 PM
The federal government shutdown as a result of votes from places like Prairie County, which votes 80% republican in every race. The republicans shut down federal workers across America while funding Argentina, and making sure a ballroom continues to get built. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Campaign finance reform does not have to be a distant goal. We the People can get money out of politics. Power does not reside solely in legislatures or boardrooms. When we exercise power together, we can change how business and government is done.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Boycott corporations buying politicians
In 1880 Charles Stewart Parnell, president of the Irish Land League, urged tenants to stop interacting with landlords like Charles Boycott, a British agent who refused to lower rents despite a bad har...
open.substack.com
September 29, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Campaign finance reform does not have to be a distant goal. We the People can get money out of politics. Power does not reside solely in legislatures or boardrooms. When we exercise power together, we can change how business and government is done.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
We reap what we sow.
In 2025, the counties that voted most decisively for tariff-heavy trade policy are the same ones harvesting record crops, and absorbing the steepest economic losses.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
In 2025, the counties that voted most decisively for tariff-heavy trade policy are the same ones harvesting record crops, and absorbing the steepest economic losses.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Tariffs hit harvest
We reap what we sow
open.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 12:41 PM
We reap what we sow.
In 2025, the counties that voted most decisively for tariff-heavy trade policy are the same ones harvesting record crops, and absorbing the steepest economic losses.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
In 2025, the counties that voted most decisively for tariff-heavy trade policy are the same ones harvesting record crops, and absorbing the steepest economic losses.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Losing daylight is a good marker of our obligation to stay engaged as citizens of our democracy. Form a watch group, write comments, and find a way to engage with the decisions being made on the way our energy is used in Montana. The power of our voice matters!
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Energy and Balance
The Governor’s Energy Task Force is holding its first meeting this morning, which you can attend on zoom.
open.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Losing daylight is a good marker of our obligation to stay engaged as citizens of our democracy. Form a watch group, write comments, and find a way to engage with the decisions being made on the way our energy is used in Montana. The power of our voice matters!
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Rail connections
Possibilities for our American future depend on understanding our history, and leaning into the vision of work being done like that of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Possibilities for our American future depend on understanding our history, and leaning into the vision of work being done like that of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Rail connections
The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority’s proposed corridor will restore the North Coast Hiawatha route, linking Chicago to Seattle and Portland through southern Montana.
open.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Rail connections
Possibilities for our American future depend on understanding our history, and leaning into the vision of work being done like that of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Possibilities for our American future depend on understanding our history, and leaning into the vision of work being done like that of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Montana’s energy future depends on places and projects like Broadview solar and Crazy Mountain Wind. Amy Gamerman tells the story of the Crazy Mountain project, with Jami Moody, at the Montana Free Press event on September 17 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. in Bozeman.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Broadview solar and Crazies Wind
The “lake” outside of Broadview, Montana in the early 1980s was an epic skating place.
open.substack.com
September 15, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Montana’s energy future depends on places and projects like Broadview solar and Crazy Mountain Wind. Amy Gamerman tells the story of the Crazy Mountain project, with Jami Moody, at the Montana Free Press event on September 17 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. in Bozeman.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Montana’s mental health crisis is not inevitable—it is the result of policy choices, funding priorities, and systemic neglect. But programs like Zero to Five are a bright spot and we can support the work that is holding our communities together. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Republicans are closing Montana’s hospitals as fast as they can
In voting for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA), all four of Montana’s congressional representatives made sure that, on a percentage basis, Montana will lose more federal funding than any other st...
open.substack.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Montana’s mental health crisis is not inevitable—it is the result of policy choices, funding priorities, and systemic neglect. But programs like Zero to Five are a bright spot and we can support the work that is holding our communities together. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
We're on the wrong list
Montana has two cities in the top five with the highest suicide rate. Republican cuts to Medicaid means fewer providers, longer wait times, and reduced access to crisis services. The world we live in is shaped by our choices. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Montana has two cities in the top five with the highest suicide rate. Republican cuts to Medicaid means fewer providers, longer wait times, and reduced access to crisis services. The world we live in is shaped by our choices. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
We're on the wrong list
Montana has one of the lowest population density by county in the United States.
open.substack.com
September 8, 2025 at 12:25 PM
We're on the wrong list
Montana has two cities in the top five with the highest suicide rate. Republican cuts to Medicaid means fewer providers, longer wait times, and reduced access to crisis services. The world we live in is shaped by our choices. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Montana has two cities in the top five with the highest suicide rate. Republican cuts to Medicaid means fewer providers, longer wait times, and reduced access to crisis services. The world we live in is shaped by our choices. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Republicans want poop in our meat
Republican policies and budget choices will lead to fewer regulatory inspections, fewer clinical trials and studies, and reduced preparedness for health outbreaks.
That means more poop in our meat.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Republican policies and budget choices will lead to fewer regulatory inspections, fewer clinical trials and studies, and reduced preparedness for health outbreaks.
That means more poop in our meat.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Republicans want poop in our meat
Intent on returning to the 1800s, the Slaughter-House cases, and Chicago’s horrific meatpacking industry, the Republicans One Big Beautiful Bill passed harsh cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ...
open.substack.com
September 4, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Republicans want poop in our meat
Republican policies and budget choices will lead to fewer regulatory inspections, fewer clinical trials and studies, and reduced preparedness for health outbreaks.
That means more poop in our meat.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Republican policies and budget choices will lead to fewer regulatory inspections, fewer clinical trials and studies, and reduced preparedness for health outbreaks.
That means more poop in our meat.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...