by Ken Toole | May 5, 2025 | City, Elections
Great Falls Republican Senator Jeremy Trebas has filed to run for the open District 1 Public Service Commission (PSC) seat currently held by Randy Pinocci. Pinocci is term limited and cannot run again.
PSC District One, An Open Seat For The Hi-Line and Beyond
District 1 covers north central and eastern Montana. The City of Great Falls and Havre are the largest cities in the district. Public Service Commissioners are among the highest paid state employees, drawing an entry salary over $114,000 per year plus full state benefits. Commissioners make more than the State Auditor, Secretary of State and Lieutenant Governor. Check out this editorial from 2018 explaining PSC Commissioner Salaries. ( https://www.havredailynews.com/story/2018/09/07/opinion/time-to-stop-the-gravy-train-at-the-public-service-commission/520333.html )
Republican Control Of The PSC, A Three-Ring Circus
Under Republican leadership, the PSC has become a three-ring circus of malfeasance and incompetence. Commissioners have sued each other and the state in petty rivalries. Staff have quit and successfully sued the Commission. A legislative audit found numerous questionable transactions made by commissioners and staff. Far-right gadfly, Commissioner Randy Pinocci, attracted attention for his brushes with Cascade County law enforcement (see below). All of this while the commissioners have approved numerous rate increases for residential consumers. The largest recently was an increase of approximately 28% in the fall of 2023.
https://wtf406.com/2024/04/pinocci-dodges-two-felonies-still-a-corrupt-asshole/
https://wtf406.com/2023/10/more-republican-police-blotter-pinocci-arrested-again/
https://wtf406.com/2024/07/randy-randy-randy-what-now/
From The Color Purple To Ruby Red
Historically PSC District 1 has elected Republicans and Democrats. Pinocci held the seat for the last eight years. Before him, Chinook Democrat Greg Jergeson held the seat for eight years. When Jergeson was chair of the PSC, he guided the effort to rebuild Montana’s troubled electric system after the Republican Legislature and Governor Marc Racicot subjected the state to the failed electric deregulation experiment. The Republican deregulation legislation caused the bankruptcy of the Montana Power Company. It ushered in years of chaos and increasing power bills for electric customers in Montana. Montana still has the highest electric rates in our region after years of enjoying some of the lowest power rates in the nation.
Republican Gerrymandering, Successful Despite Litigation
In 2022 the Republican legislature changed the boundaries of the PSC districts, tipping them to favor Republican candidates while skewing the population distribution in each district. A federal district court judge found that the PSC districts violated the constitutional principle of “one person one vote.” He changed the boundaries for the 2022 election. Then, in 2023, the Republican legislature changed the district boundaries clearly favoring Republican candidates again. Another lawsuit was filed challenging their action, except this time it was in state court. Last February, Helena District Court Judge Christopher Abbott agreed that the new districts favored Republican candidates but said the evidence failed to demonstrate that it was intentionally done to disadvantage Democratic candidates. Those gerrymandered districts will stand for the 2026 election, unless there is another, successful, challenge.
Trebas Knows He Can’t Get Re-Elected to the Senate
And that brings us back to Jeremy Trebas running for the open District 1 seat in 2026. He currently serves in the Montana Senate representing Senate District 10 in Great Falls. He could run for another term in the senate. He is choosing to run for PSC instead.
Trebas apparently sees the writing on the wall. Trebas faces strong opposition if he ran for Great Falls Senate District 10. Statistically this district is the most Democratic of the Cascade County senate seats. On top of that, historically the party of the president (Trump/Republican) typically loses support in the first midterm election. Given the chaotic nature of Trump’s administration and the damage he is doing to the economy and public institutions, it is even more likely that Republicans will not do well in the midterm elections.
Trebas Has a History Of Self Dealing and Extremism in the Senate
But Trebas’ problems are deeper than the Democratic opposition. He is a legislator who is more focused on fighting culture wars and promoting his own pocket book than representing the people in his district. He has placed himself firmly in the far-right Freedom Caucus faction of the local Republican Party. In the last election, there were concerted efforts to challenge the “Freedom Caucus” members in the Republican primary by Republicans and Democrats alike. As a result, County Commissioner Rea Grulkowski and legislators Lola and Steven Galloway (all incumbents) were defeated in the Republican primary. There have already been rumors that Ed Buttrey is going to run for Trebas’ current senate seat. (5-16-25 update– Great Falls Republican Melissa Nikolakakas filed for this seat)
On the other hand, the District 1 PSC seat leans Republican. Moreover, PSC races are far less likely to attract the kind of controversy Trebas would face in a local legislative race. Then, of course, there is the $114,000 paycheck and associated state benefits package. It’s not surprising that he would opt for the PSC seat.
WTF406 has posted numerous pieces about Trebas. Here are links.
https://wtf406.com/2023/01/jeremy-trebas-the-self-dealing-senator/
https://wtf406.com/2023/04/the-continuing-saga-of-senator-trebas-dirty-real-estate-deal/
https://wtf406.com/2023/01/the-curious-case-of-jeremy-trebas-property-taxes/
https://wtf406.com/2023/07/senator-trebas-tax-scam-turns-into-an-albatross-around-his-neck/
https://wtf406.com/2023/12/trebas-fails-to-apologize-for-anti-semitic-tweet/
https://wtf406.com/2025/01/surprise-jeremy-i-hate-local-government-trebas-is-at-it-again/
by Ken Toole | Apr 26, 2025 | City, Elections
On April 18th Jasmine Taylor filed to run for mayor, challenging incumbent Cory Reeves. In addition to being one of the founders and frequent contributor to WTF406.com, she is a life long resident of Great Falls and has been active in a number of progressive issues here in the electric city.
Jasmine Taylor running for Great Falls mayor in 2025
For those who complain that politicians are all the same, take heart, it is hard to imagine two candidates who are more different than Taylor and Reeves. These two have dramatically different positions on many of the problems facing Great Falls. The filing deadline for the Mayor’s race is June 16.
Taylor will be taking a “leave” from the blog for the duration of the campaign. We will still write about the city elections and take positions on the issues but Jasmine won’t be writing posts. Thanks for reading.
by Ken Toole | Mar 19, 2025 | City
Mayor Cory Reeves recently asked the city’s IT Department to block emails with Canadian addresses. City commissioners and the mayor have been getting emails from Canadians letting them know how they feel about Trump’s attacks on Canada. Reeves’ response is extreme for an elected official who talks about promoting the Great Falls economy and fostering good relationships with our neighbors. Tryon, as usual, is just insulting. The city manager informed the mayor that the emails could not be blocked.
Here’s one of those Canadian emails.
“Please be advised that due to your country’s threat against my nation…Canada, we have cancelled plans to visit the U.S. the visit would have taken us into Montana where we would normally spend a couple of nights, purchased groceries and gasoline for our large motorhome. We have always enjoyed our many visit is [sic] to Montana and enjoyed our ability to shop and enjoy your state. I know many Canadians are also cancelling plans to visit the USA. I know this will hurt many businesses and people I.. [sic] Your country, but until democracy is restored to your country, we will not be visiting.
I wil [sic] also say it is not easy to see your once great nation unravel into lunacy.
Tryon’s Response To One Canadian
Of course Rick Tryon has to weigh in (on everything). He wrote this to his fellow commissioners:
Canadians (allegedly) insulting and griping about Donald Trump and America to the Great Falls city commission is the most idiotic and nakedly political bunch of nonsense I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen a lot of nonsense.
Here was my reply to the first email in their little astroturf political campaign of emails to our commission, in which the lady said she wasn’t coming here but rather going to Japan on vacation. I meant my reply to go to the commission but apparently only went to XXXXXX.
And here’s what Tryon wrote to the “alleged Canadian:”
“No one on the Great Falls City Commission or in Great Falls made any ‘threats’ against you or our “‘neighbors and friends.’ So why are you so angry at this community? I really don’t understand.
The Great Falls City Commission is the wrong entity to vent your anger at. We have always welcomed our Canadian friends to our community with open arms and will continue to do so.
FYI, I was insulted by your nasty email and I don’t respond well to unwarranted boycott threats to my community. I suggest you take your ranting political vendetta somewhere other than my email box.
Have fun in Japan.
Rick
That’s the last I’ll be responding to this bs.”
This Is a Big Economic Deal For Great Falls
Here’s a little information about the economic impact of “alleged Canadians” on our economy.
A recent study by Lending Tree found that over 94% of Montana’s imports come from Canada, Mexico, and China. (The top three targets of Trump’s inflationary trade war)
Montana exports $869 million in goods to Canada annually, and Montana exports $254 million
in services to Canada. (An ironic aside: Senator Tim Sheehy’s company Bridger Aero’s “Super Scooper” aircraft are built in Canada). This link takes you to a breakdown in types of goods and services. Be warned, the source is Canadian. https://connect2canada.com/wp-content/fact-sheets/mt.pdf?t=1742311539
Visit Great Falls Executive Director, Rebeccca Engum, estimates that 20% of total spending in Great Falls comes from Canadians. Engum also said “In January, our visitation just to the visitor information services of what we provide was 28% Canadian, and in February it was down to about 2%,” It bounced back some so far in March.
Reeves and Tryon Shouldn’t Burn Bridges
Trade policy is complicated and varies by products being discussed. There are certainly those who think Canada has been taking advantage of the U.S. But the irony is that the current trade agreement which Trump rails against, the USMCA, was negotiated by Trump in his first term. No matter how all of this turns out, our local officials should at least be trying to maintain a cordial relationship with our Canadian neighbors through this political crisis. Instead Tryon is thumping his chest and talking tough, and Cory Reeves just wants to duck and cover.
by Ken Toole | Dec 30, 2024 | City
The last year has been a roller coaster ride for the Great Falls Library. In February 2023, the city commission voted unanimously to place a levy on the ballot to increase funding for the library. The proposed levy was to raise $1.5 million for needed facility updates and to expand hours and services. The levy passed after an acrimonious campaign with the right-wing censorship crowd vehemently opposing the levy.
Commissioners Ignore Public Support For The Library
Contrast the public support for the library to the resounding rejection of the proposed safety levy to fund police and fire protection. The safety levy was a pet project of Commissioner Rick Tryon. After the elections, which demonstrated public support for the library and rejection of the safety levy, it seems that Tryon, Commissioner Joe McKenney and Mayor Cory Reeves have it in for the library, playing games with board appointments and finally reducing funding for the library and giving that money to public safety. https://wtf406.com/2024/11/city-council-takes-money-from-library-after-the-public-voted-to-increase-funding/
Opponents of taking money from the library have pointed out repeatedly that the small amount of money taken from the library would do very little to meet the $30 million for projected needs for public safety in Great Falls. But it amounted to a cut of almost 27% of the library’s total budget. The majority of the commission (Tryon, McKenney, and Reeves) was undeterred and took the funding anyway.
$1 Million To Replace Seats at The Mansfield Center?
Given that history, many people were surprised to see that the city commission allocated almost $1 million , almost three times the amount taken from the library’s funding, to replace the seats in The Mansfield Center. Most of us understand that budgets for local government are complicated and involve different sources of funding. Some of the money the city administers can be moved around and some cannot. Replacing the seats is part of a larger project and funded in large part by the State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act which the Montana Legislature approved in 2023. In addition, tax increment district financing is also part of the package. But even with those sources funding it was still short. The city staff recommended moving forward with the full project anyway, despite the overage of almost $360,000. That “overage,” for which no clear source of funding was identified, is more than the amount removed from the library’s budget.
But all the byzantine maneuvering of public funding aside, this simply demonstrates that the attack on the library by Tryon, McKenney and Reeves was more about their apparent problems with the library and pandering to a small pro-censorship minority in Great Falls than it was meeting public safety needs.
by Ken Toole | Nov 20, 2024 | City, Elections, Taxes
The successful attempt by Rick Tryon to take money from the library and give it to public safety in Great Falls has less to do with protecting the public and more to do with the attack on public libraries here in Montana and across the country. Let’s recap the attack on our local library.
Remember The Library Mill Levy
In February of 2023, the city commission voted unanimously to place a levy on the ballot to increase funding for the library. The proposed levy would raise $1.5 million. In April, anti-library activists, including members of the Pachyderm Club and other loosely affiliated individuals, formed a political action committee to raise money and oppose the levy. They ran a very nasty and aggressive campaign with lots of misinformation and false allegations. Sandra Merchant’s administration of the election was so suspect that a judge appointed a special monitor to assure that the election was conducted properly. The election was held on June 6th. The proposed increase in mills was approved by voters.
Tryon and McKenney Seek Revenge in Board Appointments
The first indication that Tryon and his supporters were going to “get even” with the library came in July with the next appointments to the library board. Based on recommendations from the library board, Jerry Hopkins, a current librarian for the school district, and current board member Anne Bulger came before the city commission for appointment. All of a sudden Tryon, accompanied by Joe McKenney, raised concerns about the “process” used to appoint board members. They wanted to see the positions advertised, something that had not been required in the past. In fact, both Tryon and McKenney had voted to reappoint two members of the Business Improvement District just two weeks before. Neither raised any concerns about the “process” in making those appointments. https://wtf406.com/2023/08/city-commission-changes-the-rules-for-library-board-appointments/
The library went through the new selection exercise, advertising the openings, conducting public interviews, and came back with a recommendation to appoint Bulger and Hopkins to the library board. Rather than accepting the library board’s recommendation, Tryon, McKenney and Eric Hinebauch voted to appoint Noelle Johnson without interviewing any of the applicants. Johnson had pointed out in her application that she had opposed the library levy. After forcing the library board to jump through the hoops of advertising and interviewing 11 applicants and then ignoring their recommendations, the Electric reported that Tryon said of his vote that he wasn’t basing it on technical qualifications.
Tryon’s $30 Million Safety Levy Failed Popular Vote
Now let’s take a look at Tryon’s failure to pass a safety levy. In January of 2021, Tryon floated the idea of putting together a task force to examine the needs and costs for improving public safety in Great Falls. In March, Tryon presented a draft resolution to implement the study process to the full commission. The city commission approved setting up the task force. In November, the task force recommendations were presented to the commissioners. The recommendations from the task force presented a long (and expensive) list. In spring and early summer of 2023, the commision authorized placing a $21.17 million public safety infrastructure bond, and a separate $10.7 million public safety operations levy, on the ballot. In November, the public safety levy and accompanying bond both failed by wide margins.
Library Funding Cut Has Little to Do With Public Safety
To recap, the identified need for public safety in Great Falls was estimated by the city to be a little over $31 million. The total raised by the library mill levy passed by voters was $1.5 million. If the city takes back its portion (the library serves the city and county) of the approved mill levy for public safety, it will cost the library $842,800, which is 27% of its total budget. That means reducing hours, services and staff. The library board has proposed giving $301,000 to the city as a compromise. The library believes the compromise will still allow it to meet the goals it advertised in the mill campaign, which was approved by voters.
Cutting through all the crap, Tryon and McKenney have dished out about needing the money, the truth is that taking the small amount available from the library budget does almost nothing to alleviate the $31 million needed for public safety. But it does provide a nifty pretext for siding with the far right in their effort to censor our public library.
by Guest Writer | Sep 15, 2024 | City
There is an ongoing debate about whether or not to fully fund our public library, and a wide range of reasons have been proposed as to why the library’s funding should remain as the voters intended. I wanted to speak toward my own primary reason for 1) voting to support the library levy, and 2) why I continue to support fully funding the library.
First, my background. I moved to Great Falls in 2020 to complete my internship for my counseling degree, and currently I am a licensed professional counselor working in outpatient mental health. My wife and I rented for a year and then bought a house north of downtown. We became involved in volunteering and advocating for our unhoused neighbors in Great Falls.
With other like minded individuals, we founded Housed Great Falls, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated toward the long-term goal of building a transitional tiny house community for the unhoused. We soon discovered an immediate need that we could step into to provide warmth and safety that was not getting fully met in our community. It will come as a shock to no one who has lived here for more than a year, that our winters are brutal, but it might shock people to know that many people are still on the street year-round in Great Falls.
The Rescue Mission offers emergency cold weather services on days below freezing, officially opening their doors at 10 PM (though on particularly cold days they have opened earlier). Their restrictions are typically lower for this cold weather emergency service, and “most” unhoused people can receive this service. However, what we had found was that between the times that places like the Library and St. Vincent De Paul Angel Room closed, and when the Mission opened, people were still exposed to dangerous temperatures for periods of time that can still do a world of harm to a body. We organized cold-weather drop-in to fill this gap, hosted at the United Methodist Church and, then this past winter, at First English/Helping Hands; providing a hot meal and a safe, warm location between 5:30-9:30 PM on below freezing nights.
What we found was that, in general, when people were warm, safe, and fed, they were cooperative, polite, and grateful. We had few negative interactions with a demographic that many people find “scary” or “dangerous.” We had perhaps four calls to emergency services over a winter of being open 70 nights. Consider the number of calls that would have been made if people were not there. When people were offered a safe and accepting space to exist, they were not someplace else trespassing, drinking, panhandling, stealing, etc… They, and the community as a whole, were SAFER.
This brings me back to the Library. The Library is a safe, warm, and accepting location. It is not a shelter or warming center, nor should it be, but it is a PUBLIC SPACE that is open to ANYONE who can give basic respect to the others around them. The Library providing this public space for people IS part of our public safety. When people, particularly the unhoused, are at the Library they are by default NOT doing the things that the public complains about them doing.
My general experience, both from working in mental health and volunteering with the unhoused, is that, when people are given respect and dignity, they respond in a positive manner. There are exceptions of course, but this has seemed to be just that, the exception. Our experience running the cold weather drop-in for two winters now showed this; a “rough” and “dangerous” population was calm and respectful, because they were treated how we would want to be treated.
I voted primarily for the Library levy so that they could extend their hours to be open every day of the week, and later each day; in large part so that community members with nowhere else to go would have a safe and warm location to be. But the library benefits so many more people than just the unhoused or downtrodden; though I think there we see the largest impacts. But even if it only impacted them, it still has a positive impact on my life. And I strongly believe that treating people with dignity and respect, and helping them to meet their basic needs, will always be a better long term option than fining, arresting, and jailing them; not to mention being far less expensive.
The idea of public safety based solely on more police is a fantasy, and an Orwellian one at that. Public safety might very well involve police and jails (perhaps in smaller quantities than we have now), but it also involves solving the issues at the root of the problem. Simply hiring more police and building more jails deals with the symptoms, but not the root cause of the problem. While the Library is also not a silver bullet, it does reach closer to the root cause of achieving a more lasting and holistic safety for our community.
–Michael Yegerlehner
