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Gov. Gianforte highlighted two priority education bills to support starting teachers and empower students

Missoula, MT – According to the state officials, House Bill 588 was proposed by the governor in his Budget for Montana Families and it reportedly increases funding by 40 percent for the governor’s TEACH Act to increase starting teacher pay.

In its first year, the TEACH Act helped nearly 500 new teachers begin their careers in Montana.

The second bill, House Bill 749, modernizes education beyond traditional geographic barriers by strengthening the Montana Digital Academy.

The Montana Digital Academy offers students virtual curriculum that might not be available in their physical school that they can access anytime and anywhere.

Governor Gianforte also presented the 2022 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation to U.S. Army veteran and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Xavier Reyes.

Earlier in the day, the governor recognized two additional recipients of the award: U.S. Army veteran Neal Eveland in Chester, and U.S. Army veteran Chauncey Parker in Box Elder.

Written by Ryan Mills

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality called for a pause in construction on a wastewater treatment system upgrade project amid recent environmental violations by an independent contractor

Gov. Gianforte criticized the Biden administration for a recent interpretation of federal law that would eliminate federal education funding for archery and firearm safety courses in Montana schools