The Montana State Constitution

The Montana State Constitution The State Constitution of Montana sets forth the basic governmental roles, responsibilities, and expectations that apply to the governing officials and citizens of the state. The state’s Constitution also explains the rights of the people. The statements of the Constitution are upheld by state and federal mandates. It is a strong, binding artifact of Montana’s evolutionary history. The Montana State Constitution could be compared to a timeline, as the changes in governmental and community attitudes are evident in the amendments made to the state’s constitution.
Montana’s state chain of command is very similar to that of the Federal Government. There are three branches of the state’s government; executive, legislative, and judicial. At the head of the executive branch are the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The legislative branch is bicameral. With few differences the roles of these officials is much the same as the roles of the United State’s president and vice-president, the duties are just on different governmental levels. The state answers to the Federal Government. Under the two heads of state the chain of command continues in following closely to that of the Federal Government. The legislative branch is bicameral and includes Senators, House representatives and their staffs. The Supreme Court heads the judicial system that includes state criminal court and the Court of Appeals. State officials must be chosen by the people through simple majority elections.
Montana offers free, public education to every child of school age. The Constitution makes education a right of the people, and a responsibility of the state. State property and sales taxes are the major sources of funding for the public school system. Senator Llew Jones recently proposed cutting local school property tax, and suggested dipping into the funds from gas and oil revenues for public school funding (Dennison). Another service offered by the educational system is free or reduced lunches for underprivileged students. Taxes have always been a source for dissention among the masses; however without taxation most of the state’s funding for health care, welfare, and transportation as well as education would not be available.
Montana not only offers a public school system, but also a State Commissioner of Higher Education that oversees the state’s secondary educational facilities. This commission oversees the distribution of state allocated funds for economically challenged students, the award of scholarships, and the cost of admission to state universities.
The social service system regulated by Montana offers many services to its underprivileged population in many forms. CHIP and Montana Healthy Kids Plus are services that provide free, or very low cost, health care to minor children. There are also similar services for pregnant and single women who fall below the poverty line. These programs are largely funded by local state taxes. The administration of these services is ensured through the state’s constitution and the health care reform of Montana. Amendments have been made throughout the years, but healthcare is still a priority for Montana. Along with health care the state offers low-income housing to applicants who meet the criteria.
The Supreme Court of Montana was established to hear cases that were appealed in criminal court, or that apply to any civil dispute between two or more parties. There is one Chief Justice and six associate justices. The Montana Constitution provides for only four Associate Justices, but allows the Montana Legislature to increase the number of Associate Justices to six. The state’s Supreme Court also oversees the statutes passed through legislature to ensure that state and federal constitutional requirements are met. The Chief Justice serves as head of the Supreme Court of Montana. Supervision of the other Supreme Court Justices is a role of the Chief Justice. He or she not only serves as the administrator of the Supreme Court, but also as a source of reference for the other Justices. A service offered through the judicial system through the constitution is the appointment of public defenders. When a person has been accused of a criminal act and cannot afford an attorney, the court will assign a public defender to the case. Probation fees and court assigned fines for criminal offenses are used to help pay the salaries of the public defenders. Montana has made many amendments to the State Constitution throughout the state’s history. The concern for the people is evident throughout this official document from the preamble to the guidelines for amendments, and elections. The people are ensured equality, freedom, and liberty. By having the right to elect their state’s leaders, and the right to vote on important issues such as taxation, the people are also given a voice.