1. United States
2. Mont.
3. Letter

HB 52 is an Unconstitutional Power Grab That Threatens Montana’s Justice System HB 52 is a reckless, costly, and unconstitutional assault on Montana’s judicial independence. It is a blatant attempt to inject partisan control into our courts by allowing the Executive branch to handpick and bankroll judges—undermining the impartiality that is the bedrock of our justice system. This proposal is not just unnecessary; it is a direct attack on the separation of powers, eroding the integrity of Montana’s judiciary and stacking the deck in favor of political interests rather than justice. The real crisis in our courts is the overwhelming backlog of cases and the desperate need for more district court judges. In 2022, the National Center for State Courts reported that Montana needs at least 11.55 more judges to handle its caseload, yet instead of addressing this urgent need, HB 52 wastes taxpayer money on an illegitimate, partisan scheme. Any legislator who votes for HB 52 is endorsing a corrupt, unconstitutional power grab that prioritizes political influence over the fair administration of justice. Montanans deserve an impartial judiciary—not one manipulated by those in power. Vote NO on HB 52. Protect Montana’s courts. Protect our democracy.