This article was created by AI using a video recording of the meeting. It summarizes the key points discussed, but for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting.
Link to Full Meeting
The Socialism Speaker Series 2025, hosted by the City of Missoula, Montana, focused on building socialism at the state level during its latest meeting on July 15, 2025. The event featured Representative Zoe Zephyr from Missoula's House District 95, who discussed significant legislative achievements and future goals for Montana.
Co-chair of the series opened the meeting by reflecting on the progress made throughout the speaker series, which included discussions on workers' movements and insights from local union members. The co-chair expressed gratitude for Representative Zephyr's participation and highlighted the recent electoral success of democratic socialist Zoran Mamdani in New York City, emphasizing the importance of local victories in the broader socialist movement.
Representative Zephyr shared her perspective on the recent legislative session, noting that the Democratic Party gained ten seats in the House, increasing their representation to 42 members. This shift allowed for more effective opposition against Republican initiatives. Zephyr pointed out that the session revealed fractures within the Republican Party, enabling Democrats to successfully challenge several controversial bills, including anti-trans legislation and a proposed partnership with Israel.
One of the notable achievements mentioned by Zephyr was a significant reduction in property taxes for primary residences in Missoula, projected to drop by about 20%. This reduction was made possible by shifting the tax burden from residents to large corporate entities, showcasing a strategic victory for the Democratic minority.
Looking ahead to the 2027 legislative session, Zephyr outlined her goals, including a bill aimed at improving transparency in Montana's legal code. This bill would help citizens understand which laws are currently in effect and which have been blocked by the courts, enhancing legislative accountability.
The meeting underscored the importance of grassroots organizing and local decision-making in advancing socialist policies. As the series continues, the focus remains on building a sustainable socialist framework at the state level, emphasizing the need for collaboration and strategic action among local leaders and constituents.
Converted from Socialism Speaker Series 2025 - Building Socialism at the State Level meeting on July 15, 2025
Link to Full Meeting