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Montana state senator withdraws support for controversial contract


Former Montana Senate President Jason Ellsworth is walking away from a $170,000 contract after being accused of wrongfully brokering the deal with a business associate. The contract, signed in December, has produced no services and the contractor wants out. Ellsworth, a Hamilton Republican, denies any impropriety and calls the criticism a political ploy. The matter is under review by Senate President Matt Regier, who expects a report in a few days. Senators have called for an ethics investigation or audit concerning the contract.

Ellsworth and Senate Judiciary Chair Barry Usher were involved in a select committee drafting bills targeting Montana courts in 2024. The Legislature’s Republican majority has had conflicts with the courts in recent years, leading to proposed bills aimed at impeaching judges and giving the Legislature more power over the Supreme Court. Ellsworth’s preferred contractor for an analysis of the bills was Agile Analytics, a business without a competitive bidding process.

Meanwhile, Ellsworth was also involved in a battle with Republican Senate leadership over committee assignments and created the Executive Branch Review Committee, which led to a week-long halt in bill work as committees were restructured. Despite these controversies, Ellsworth defended the contract and committee choices, saying they should not be keeping the Senate from its work. As the situation unfolds, the Senate is facing challenges in addressing pressing legislative matters.

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