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Livingston commission approves letter to Montana delegation urging review of federal spending
Summary
The Livingston City Commission approved a draft letter to the federal congressional delegation asking for review of recent federal spending decisions and noting the local importance of federal employment. Commissioners debated wording, added a sentence on federal employees, and approved the letter unanimously.
The Livingston City Commission on Wednesday approved a draft letter to Montana’s congressional delegation requesting a review of recent federal spending actions, saying local business owners and workers had raised concerns.
The letter, placed on the agenda at the commission’s request, was introduced by city staff member Mr. Gager. Commissioner Lyons proposed adding a sentence noting the size of the federal workforce to underscore local economic impacts: “In December of 2024, there were nearly 15,000 federal employees in the state of Montana, and the federal government is one of the largest employers in Park County with these jobs having a significant multiplying effect on the local economy,” Lyons said.
Commissioner Willett questioned whether a letter would be effective, calling it “performative” and warning it could have limited benefit. Commissioner Kahl said local gateway communities have been affected by cuts to federal forest and national park services and pointed to past instances where Montana’s delegation worked across the aisle — she referenced the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act and past actions related to the Stillwater mine — as precedent for contacting the delegation.
After discussion and the insertion Lyons proposed, Lyons moved to approve the letter and a motion to approve carried on a roll call vote. Chair Schwartz and the commissioners present voted in favor.
The commission did not adopt new policy in this vote; it approved sending a letter drafted at the commission’s request and revised during the meeting to reflect concerns raised by local business groups and federal employees. The letter was described in the meeting packet as follow-up to outreach with the Chamber of Commerce, Explore Livingston and the Downtown Business Owners Association.
The commission’s action was procedural: staff will transmit the approved letter to the congressional delegation. No further directive or ordinance was adopted in this item.
