by Helena Lovick | Aug 20, 2025 | City, Elections, Mayor
Disclaimer: Jasmine Taylor has stepped away from the blog during her campaign for Mayor. Jasmine was not consulted nor informed about this post about her candidacy. It was all me. – Helena Lovick
We’ve all heard the quote, “well-behaved women seldom make history.” It’s been in my mind a lot as Jasmine Taylor runs for mayor of Great Falls. She is the breath of fresh air that we need. So why don’t we elect our own not so well-behaved woman this year?
Right Wing Attacks
Ever since Jasmine Taylor entered the public sphere, she has taken up space and the City Commissioner Rick Tryon and his like-minded cronies CANNOT STAND IT. If you’re looking for a history refresher, we’ve talked before about some of the unhinged attacks on Jasmine here.
Because Jasmine Taylor is running for mayor against MAGA favorite Cory Reeves, attacks against her have gotten more off the rails. As accurately described by The Western Word, “Taylor is being attacked almost daily by Reeves’ supporters, who are mostly MAGAs. He seems to be afraid of her. She would destroy him in a debate,” and “[t]he comments from Reeves’ supporters were pretty vile and obscene about Taylor. Apparently, a well-educated female who stands up for what she believes scares the shit out of Reeves and his supporters.” Thank you, Mike Brown, I couldn’t agree more.
Who Jasmine Taylor Really Is
As I have gotten to know Jasmine, I got to see first hand the unhinged attacks she faces from the right wingers in this community. I hope all of you can take the opportunity during her campaign to see through the noise. Jasmine has the skill set and heart to be a mayor that we are proud of. She has demonstrated her leadership abilities and professionalism over and over again.
I first met Jasmine after the 2016 presidential election. Horrified with the direction our country had turned, I wanted to work with organizers that saw the urgency of the moment. I had heard of Jasmine through mutual friends, and we started loosely organizing rallies together. All of the work we have done together has spun out of that initial informal organizing.
Jasmine and I ran for the Montana legislature together in 2020 and that’s when I really got to know Jasmine. It was great having a core group of people that passionately shared my values and gave life to them with energy and hard work. Jasmine isn’t some weak flower that bends to the force of every wind. She is a change maker.
Elect Jasmine Taylor For Mayor
We deserve a leader that has principles and values that we agree with. A leader that will work towards a better future for everyone, not just the people that fit in their neat boxes of white conservatism. For example, Jasmine will stand up for the LGBTQ community and not encourage homophobic attacks. We know that, because Jasmine has already done that by pushing for a non-discrimination ordinance and organizing efforts to tear down homophobic and bigoted stickers graffitiing our town. And when the people vote to invest in a community resource like our public library, Jasmine has the vision to understand how that investment will pay itself back to our community ten-fold. (Rather than cutting our library off at the knees like the current city commission, you can read about the fall out of their action here). We know where Jasmine stands. And not just because she has a nice shiny spine and is outspoken. But because she has proven herself by putting the work into our community with her sustained efforts for the Election Protection Committee, the Library Levy pushback, the LGBTQ center, and more.
I really admire Jasmine for holding true to her values and her persistence in working hard to help our community. And if you get to know her, I know you will see what I see. Aren’t you ready for something better?
Let’s vote Jasmine Taylor for Mayor this November.
by Helena Lovick | Jul 8, 2025 | Democrats, Indigenous People, Little Shell Tribe, Working Montanans
A couple weeks ago, we put up an article recognizing that State Representative Jane Weber (D-Great Falls) was the 2025 recipient of the Paris Gibson Award. Then I wrote a letter to the editor about Rep. Jane Weber, and I thought to post it on the blog. Maybe it’s a bit of overkill to post yet another article about Jane so close together. And you know what, screw that. We are so lucky to have Jane Weber serving Montanans in the state legislature. Let’s be loud about Democrats actually helping us instead of putting us all through hell like the current Republican “leadership.”.
Here’s my LTE about Jane Weber.
One of the first times I met State Representative Jane Weber (D-Great Falls), she was running for the Cascade County Commission. It was at a candidate forum, and Jane’s opponent didn’t bother to show up. But that’s not Rep. Weber’s style. Jane shows up.
While Republican lawmakers spent the 2025 legislative session trying to consolidate their power while chipping away at our most basic freedoms, Rep. Jane Weber was hard at work delivering for the people of Great Falls.
Democrats like Rep. Weber focused on what matters: funding public schools, lowering housing costs, and expanding access to healthcare. They provided real solutions for working Montanans.
Rep. Weber also brought forward HB 448, designating the Jim Loud Thunder Gopher Memorial Highway. It’s more than a sign on the road. It’s recognition of the deep history and contributions of the Little Shell Tribe. In a time when so many are overlooked, Rep. Weber ensured a long-overdue moment of respect and acknowledgment for Indigenous people who have contributed so much to our state.
At a time when political games dominate the headlines, it’s easy to lose sight of what public service is supposed to be about. Rep. Weber reminds us that leadership means listening, remembering where we come from, and fighting for a better future for every Montanan, not just the wealthy and well-connected.
Thank you, Rep. Weber, for standing up for us!
by Helena Lovick | May 29, 2025 | Global Warming, Legislature, Taxes, Town Hall Meeting
Great Falls, MT
On Wednesday May 28th, a group of local organizers, Citizens 4 Government Transparency, hosted a Town Hall with the 2025 Cascade County State Legislators. The legislators present were Jane Weber (D-HD-19), Jeremy Trebas (R-SD-10), Wendy McKamey (R-SD-12), Steve Fitzpatrick (R-HD-24), and Eric Tilleman (R-HD-23). Before I start joking around, I’d like to mention that I do give these legislators credit for being willing to hear from the public. It seems so many legislators, in particular Republicans, avoid their constituents and refuse to face any public backlash. So tip of the hat to these legislators for showing up.
Is Global Warming Real?
About 100 people were present in the audience, and a steady stream of questions were presented to the legislators from the crowd. The highlight of the night was when an audience member asked the legislators if they believe in global warming. Jane Weber quickly raised her hand and said, “I do!” Then hilariously the entire Republican contingent asserted that they didn’t. Seriously in 2025. Truly stupid, bury your head in the sand denialism. But we have people out here not willing to vaccinate their dogs against rabies, so the bar is truly in hell with anti-science beliefs.
So check, climate change isn’t real for Republicans. Hope that works out for them since we’re on a warming planet together. At least the crowd scoffed with me!
Let’s Make Income Inequality Worse
A question I raised during the town hall was about HB 337. As reported by the Montana Free Press: “House Bill 337 reduces the state’s top-bracket tax rate down from 5.9% to 5.4% over the next two years. It also raises the maximum threshold for the state’s lower tax bracket, where income is taxed at a lower 4.7% rate, and expands a tax credit available to lower-income working families.” All of the Republicans present voted for it, and the governor signed it into law in April.
I asked, if we have to make cuts to essential services in the future, would the Republican delegation be willing to reverse the income tax cuts they had made? Of course, not a single one of them answered that question, they just talked around it.
Then Representative Steve Fitzpatrick started talking about how making $41,000 a year isn’t rich, so people making that wage should get a tax cut. Cool, cool. Quick question, why are people making $41,000 annually lumped in with people making $250,000+ annually? As you can see in the table below, in Montana, all income from $41,000+ is taxed exactly the same.
Crazy idea, but we could and should focus on distinguishing between people making only $41,000 a year from millionaires so that the tax rates can be cut for the middle and lower class income earners and NOT CUT FOR THE ULTRA RICH. Instead, Gianforte is aiming for a flat tax rate to help the rich get even richer. (A flat income tax applies the same rate to all taxpayers, regardless of their income). How much more can you squeeze out of people below the poverty line, you damn ghouls?!
And on that note, let’s focus on electing representatives that want a fair tax system and legislation to actually help address the inevitable effects of global warming. A girl can dream.
by Helena Lovick | Apr 26, 2025 | Militia and Hate Groups, Protests, Rallies
Several rallies have sprung up in Great Falls in response to the extreme cuts to government services being implemented and proposed by the Trump administration. Thousands of federal workers have lost their jobs, federal funding for research, cuts to VA services, proposed cuts to Medicaid, and more have damaged the ability of the US government to effectively serve the people and prepare for the future.
A grassroots movement called “50501” has been helping to coordinate nationwide demonstrations since the second Trump inauguration. Well, the only real coordination the 50501 movement does is to select a date for nationwide protests. Then local organizers do all of the legwork for individual protests.
In Great Falls, several 50501-inspired rallies have been organized including a rally on March 4th, April 5th, April 19th, and one is slated for May 1st.
Images of Event Flyers for Local 50501 Rallies
I’ve attended dozens of rallies in Great Falls, and these recent rallies have been some of the largest if not the largest in our city that I’ve ever seen. For the Great Falls April 5th rally, over 800 people gathered outside the Federal Courthouse and along the Central Ave W bridge. It’s almost like the people are pissed about the reckless cuts and undermining of government services. Let’s make government more efficient and cost less by gutting it completely. Sure, that’ll work out great for….billionaires, not so much for everyday Montanans.
Right Wing Trolls
Of course, right wing trolls are annoyed that people aren’t worshipping their cult leader. Shit stirrers posted “just asking” questions and rounded that up to death threats. An exchange seen on Facebook was screenshot and sent to our blog a few days before the April 5th Rally. The post and alarming responses such as “I’m shooting if it gets too funny” were posted in the Ask Great Falls Montana Group. I checked and saw the post live in the group on March 30th, I saw several threatening comments be taken down or hidden by the group administrators. And now I see that the post was completely taken down.
Screenshots of Troll Comments about Great Falls April 5th Rally
It sucks when people post crap like that to be intimidating and to feel big. But activists can’t let it stop their work; we just have to be as prepared as we can be.
Likely these trolls didn’t like the outpouring of support the rally was generating. Luckily, the threats of violence never materialized and just a pathetic group of about 5 counter protesters showed up. 800 rally attendees to 5 counter protesters. Welp, it looks like a large majority of people aren’t brainwashed to wave a conman’s flag.
View of April 5th, 2025 Rally in Great Falls
Upcoming Rallies in Great Falls
If people want to continue to visibly resist the current bullshit happening in our country two rallies are scheduled this coming week.
Flyer of April 29th Medicaid Rally
A Hands Off Medicaid Rally will be held in Great Falls at Noon on Tuesday, April 29th, at the Great Falls Federal Courthouse, 125 Central Ave W.
Another May Day Protest will be held on Thursday, May 1st at 5:30 PM at the Great Falls Federal Courthouse, 125 Central Ave W. The Facebook event can be found here.
by Helena Lovick | Mar 22, 2025 | Elections
Great Falls, Mont.
Recently a couple friends sent me this screenshot of an emailed response from State Senator Jeremy Trebas (R-Great Falls) (see below).
Jeremy’s response to a voter requesting he vote no on HB 258 during the 2025 Montana legislative session.
As slimy and rude as that response was….it sure seemed like something Jeremy would say! But I wanted to make sure What the Funk wasn’t sharing any fake news, so I sent in a public information request to the Legislative Services Division of the Montana Legislature. I asked for a copy of emails Jeremy sent from his legislative email account (jeremy.trebas@legmt.gov) with the term “pronouns” in the email body, sent in 2025 (from January 1, 2025 to present 3/20/2025).
And, um, oh it’s real. And it gets worse.
Here is the email that started it all:
Huh, in response to a citizen’s thoughtful and well-laid out reasons to vote against a bill….Jeremy zeroed in on “she/her” in the signature line!
(Makes total sense to an insane bigot I guess.)
In his typical bizarre manner, Jeremy Trebas sent back the reply of “I don’t put much credence in the “science” of people who have to put pronouns in their bio.” Welp, Montanans, if you have pronouns (like 100% of people do), Jeremy does not want to hear from you!
How Jeremy responded to concerns of the public
The screenshot of the pronoun email must have reached several other Montanans around the time I saw it, because a half a dozen people emailed Jeremy Trebas about that exchange. Of course, Jeremy then chose the path of being increasingly rude and dickish. Reciting stupid troll language at people with legitimate concerns about his behavior such as “K bro,” “Move out of your parent’s basement,” “no one I’ve heard from so far is a constituent, only radical leftists who believe boys can be girls,” and on and on.
In response to Jeremy’s disrespectful answer to their email, one person sent back the flabbergasted question, “This is how you communicate with the public?” and Jeremy (obviously lying) replied “No, only you.” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. I can’t breathe. Yeah, no, it is not only you my friend. Jeremy is an internet troll who loves to be an asshole to anyone who isn’t in his weird cult of MAGA mixed with Libertarianism. For some representative examples, we’ve previously discussed Jeremy Trebas’s rude internet commentary style here and here.
Based on his own biases, Jeremy also likes to claim that no one criticizing him is a constituent. Jeremy doesn’t understand that people’s email addresses aren’t labeled with a person’s specific legislative district. And even if they aren’t his constituents, Jeremy must not know that his work in the legislature affects ALL Montanans. Sure would be nice if Jeremy would stop being a dick and be respectful when Montanans reach out to him with their concerns.
Below are screenshots of Jeremy doubling down on his bigotry again and again. Wow. Is this a person Montanans want representing them…for ANYTHING?
(In the screenshots, I blocked the identifiers for the citizens who emailed Jeremy, but they are technically public information.)
