Blue Bench Podcast

Blue Bench Podcast

by Gaby Krevat and Jorgia Hawthorne

News Commentary Politics

Season 2

No Time For Neutral: Gianforte's New Tax Scam

Jorgia and Andy return to the pod to discuss Gov. Gianforte's plan to move Montana to a flat income tax. Problem is, most middle class families already pay the 4.7% tax and won't see a penny of savings. Meanwhile, the wealthiest 20% of Montanans will receive 95% of the tax break. It opens the door to a sales tax or higher property taxes -- neither of which working Montanans can afford. The two also chat the latest on prices, artificial intelligence, and ways you can get involved in the last 45 days of the midterms. Sign up for a shift! montanademocrats.org/volunteer mobilize.us/samformontana

No Time for Neutral: Trillions and Billions on A Pointless War

Jorgia and Andy break down the recently House-passed NDAA (spoiler: more money for the Iran war!), the SAVE America Act and the latest on the Trump war in the Middle East. They also break down how the federal government has placed Gov. Gianforte in charge of our grizzly bear management, while taking away protections for endangered species' habitat. Call the governor: 406-444-3111 Check your voter registration: voterportal.mt.gov

No Time for Neutral: Platform Convention and Gianforte's Attack on Medicaid

Jorgia and Andy go through the highlights of the 2026 Montana Democrats Platform Convention! A two year moratorium on data centers, corner crossing, surveillance, water rights... and that's a drop in the bucket. Final platform live on montanademocrats.org soon! They also cover the newest requirements for Montana Medicaid. These strict requirements that will keep people from accessing healthcare were passed last year in the Big Beautiful Bill, but Gianforte is implementing them six months earlier than required. Gianforte is also refusing to implement a bipartisan provider rate increase for Medicaid. Under Republican leadership, Montana Medicaid is struggling. Call the Governor today (406-444-3111) and tell him to implement the provider rate increase!

No Time for Neutral: 2026 Democratic Primary

Andy and Jorgia break down everything you need to know heading into Election Day on June 2. How to cast your ballot, who's on your ballot... and how Republicans have made it harder to vote than years prior. Plus, dive in to the allegation that Seth Bodnar may have bribed Montana voters when gathering signatures. It is TOO LATE to mail your ballot. Drop it off in person at your county elections office or at an official ballot drop box. If you're voting in person, make sure to bring an ID. You can register to vote all the way through 8pm on June 2!

No Time for Neutral: Ballots, Subpoenas, and Your Weekend Plans

Jorgia and Andy go through the candidates you'll see on your primary ballot. Sign, date, print your birth year, and get those ballots in the mail by May 25th! Ballots must be received by the county election's office by 8pm on June 2. Plus, Democrats begin the subpoena process on Christi Jacobsen after she released Montana's sensitive voter information to the federal government. Stay tuned for more here. Montana Democrats will be at Bucking Horse Sale! Join us for free breakfast Friday, and catch the full schedule here. Pete Buttigieg will rally in Butte for the Montana Plan Sunday - more details at pete.montanaplan.org.

No Time for Neutral: Trump's Tax Day and MTGOP Suing... Themselves?

Jorgia and Andy break down how the Republican Big Beautiful Bill really meant a Long Brutal Tax Season for most Montanans. Congress still hasn't passed a War Powers Resolution -- although Montana Democrats (and 8 Republicans!) keep asking the Congressional delegation for answers. Plus, everything you need to know about the latest Republican firing circle... and what it means for your property taxes.

No Time for Neutral: Post-No Kings, DHS Shutdown, Family Farms

Did you attend No Kings last weekend? Jorgia and Andy lay out three easy steps you can take this week to help Democrats win in November. They also explain how Republicans rejected a shutdown deal... and then went on vacation. Also, Trump's war, tariffs - and well, presidency - is hurting Montana farmers and the numbers prove it.

No Time for Neutral: Montana's Whirlwind Week

Welcome back to No Time for Neutral! Andy and Jorgia recap Zinke dropping out, Sheehy breaking a Marine's arm, Daines ALSO dropping out, and Montana Democrats' annual get together. The pair also touches on executive malpractice: Trump's war in Iran and Gianforte's Capitol ban. It's primary season! Head to montanademocrats.org/candidates to find out more information about the Democratic candidates for MT-01, MT-02 and the Senate seat. Then head to montanademocrats.org/events to find a candidate forum near you to meet the candidates and ask questions!

No Time for Neutral: Investigating Helena, Passports, and Jeremy Carl

Jorgia and Andy break down the SAVE Act and why it threatens your right to vote - if you're married and changed your name, this is for you! The pair gets into Gov. Gianforte and AG Knudsen's latest hypocritical stunt (Spoiler: They're suing the city of Helena for not cooperating with ICE) and explain what's going on with Jeremy Carl, a white nationalist Montanan whose power can be traced back to three people -- Zinke, Gianforte, and Daines.

No Time for Neutral: Voter Info For Sale + DHS Funding Fight

Jorgia and Andy break down Secretary Jacobsen's latest move to cleanse Montana's voter rolls. She's providing confidential information like SSNs and driver's license numbers with the intent of removing "ineligible people" from the rolls. Check your voter registration and give her a call to let her know this won't slide: 406-444-2034. They also break down the appropriations fight in Congress, Democrats' demands to hold ICE accountable, and Montana Democrats' day of solidarity in Minneapolis. Plus, some statistics for your week! *NOTE: This episode was filmed prior to MTFP breaking the story that Secretary Jacobsen did in fact share Montanans' confidential voter information with the federal government -- their newest attempt at voter suppression. All speculation in this episode was made before this knowledge was public.

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