Gas tax, mail ballots, university funding discussed at videoconference

A proposal to increase Montana’s gas tax for the first time in 25 years will likely pass the House again on third reading and the state Senate, Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre, said during the weekly state legislative videoconference at a Northern Montana Hospital conference room.

The legislation passed the House March 23 on second reading 56-44. Reps. Bachmeier and Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, voted for it, while Jim O’Hara R-Fort Benton, and Casey Knudsen, R-Malta, voted against it. It was referred to the House Appropriations Committee, where it passed 12-10 and is scheduled for a vote on...