Montana

Montana is the 4th largest US state by area, at just over 147,000 sq.miles, but ranks only 43rd in terms of population, with just over 1 million inhabitants in the state. It is the 3rd most-sparsely populated of the US states. It was the 41st state admitted to the Union on November 8, 1889.

Ranching and agriculture are the primary sources of the state’s economic production. Oil, gas, hard-rock mining, and lumber, are among other contributing factors to the state’s economy. And, tourism is the fastest-growing economic sector. Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, are among the most visited tourist-attractions in the state. The state has thousands of named rivers and creeks running through it, with 450-miles being prominently known for blue-ribbon trout fishing.

In addition to the three tourist attractions, Montana has several other protected lands in the state. The National Bison Range, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Center, and Bighole National Battlefield, are among the protected lands in the state. Montana is also a hub for microbreweries in the US. It is ranked third in the US for the number of craft microbreweries throughout the state. The state is also prominently known for its year-round outdoor sports activities including: golf, horseback riding, cycling, and skiing, among other popular outdoor activities.

Throughout its voting history, the state has elected a Democratic President only 11 occasions, and voted Republican in 21-elections. The state has three electoral college votes in each Presidential election.

The government of the State of Montana is composed of three branches, the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative. The powers of initiative and referendum are reserved for the citizens of Montana.

The Executive branch is led by the chief executive—the Governor, and his second in command the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary Of State, the Attorney General, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Auditor, and by the staff and employees of the 14 executive branch agencies.

The Legislative branch consists of a bicameral legislature, like the majority of other states.  The state’s House of Representatives has 100 members, and the state senate has 50.  The Montana State Legislature convenes in odd number years, for 90 day periods.

The Judicial branch in the State of Montana consists of the Supreme Court, comprised of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices.  There are District courts, Water Court and other Courts of Limited Jurisdiction; including the Justice Courts Municipal Courts, and City Courts.  Additionally, the state has a Workers’ Compensation Court with jurisdiction over worker’s compensation issues in the state.

The National Law Review covers state news from Montana as it unfolds. Minimum wage and labor/employment related coverage, biosimilars and energy stories, marijuana legalization, tax-reform, and federal agency news, are among the leading stories visitors will find online. The National Law Review continually updates legal stories, so visitors will always find relevant content related to the state, its citizens, and the US in general.