Mike Jopek
@mikejopek.bsky.social
Flathead farmer. Columnist for Flathead Beacon. Former state representative. Active in Montana. Local control https://flatheadbeacon.com/section/opinion/uncommon-ground/
Pinned
Consultant Cush - Flathead Beacon
We keep telling you that everything got too expensive. But it seems you’re only listening to the overpaid consultants. Hopefully last week’s landslide election results opened eyes a bit. People are un...
flatheadbeacon.com
Uncommon Ground: Consultant Cush flatheadbeacon.com/2025/11/12/c... #mtpol
Sharp: Conrad Republican Representative Llew Jones was the architect of the massive property tax shift passed in the legislature and signed by Governor Greg Gianforte. “Every part of this bill has been vetted,” Jones confidently stated in the Senate Bill 542 conference committee on April 29. #mtpol
Taxation is Ruination - Flathead Beacon
Taxation is supposed to be about revenue—not ruination. The overhaul of Montana’s tax system by the 69th Legislature threatens the foundation of our communities and could force Montanans to abandon th...
flatheadbeacon.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Sharp: Conrad Republican Representative Llew Jones was the architect of the massive property tax shift passed in the legislature and signed by Governor Greg Gianforte. “Every part of this bill has been vetted,” Jones confidently stated in the Senate Bill 542 conference committee on April 29. #mtpol
Tariffs on imported coffee have cost Americans $358 million so far this year, up from $1.3 million last year, according to U.S. International Trade Commission data
But tariffs on automobiles have cost more than 36 times as much -amounting to $13 billion #mtpol www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
But tariffs on automobiles have cost more than 36 times as much -amounting to $13 billion #mtpol www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
November 15, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Tariffs on imported coffee have cost Americans $358 million so far this year, up from $1.3 million last year, according to U.S. International Trade Commission data
But tariffs on automobiles have cost more than 36 times as much -amounting to $13 billion #mtpol www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
But tariffs on automobiles have cost more than 36 times as much -amounting to $13 billion #mtpol www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
We keep telling you that everything got too expensive. But it seems you’re only listening to the overpaid consultants. Hopefully last week’s landslide election results opened eyes a bit. #mtpol
Consultant Cush
All across America, in hundreds of local elections, people chose leaders they trust
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
We keep telling you that everything got too expensive. But it seems you’re only listening to the overpaid consultants. Hopefully last week’s landslide election results opened eyes a bit. #mtpol
Uncommon Ground: Consultant Cush flatheadbeacon.com/2025/11/12/c... #mtpol
Consultant Cush - Flathead Beacon
We keep telling you that everything got too expensive. But it seems you’re only listening to the overpaid consultants. Hopefully last week’s landslide election results opened eyes a bit. People are un...
flatheadbeacon.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Uncommon Ground: Consultant Cush flatheadbeacon.com/2025/11/12/c... #mtpol
The boys get an update from the campaign trail with Russell Cleveland and dive into everything from the shutdown to the legend of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Ed joins us from Vegas #mtpol
Monday November 10th Beer, Buds and The Big Sky Podcast
with guests from the road, Russell Cleveland and Ed Docter
mikejopek.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 PM
The boys get an update from the campaign trail with Russell Cleveland and dive into everything from the shutdown to the legend of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Ed joins us from Vegas #mtpol
Thursday Nov 6th Beer, Buds and The Big Sky Podcast with special guest, Ed Docter. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZdG... #mtpol
November 7, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Thursday Nov 6th Beer, Buds and The Big Sky Podcast with special guest, Ed Docter. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZdG... #mtpol
Montana Farmers Union talks small producers, communities during annual event #mtpol
Farmers Union talks small producers, towns during annual event
Tariffs, economic headwinds a focus of weekend event that brought together small and mid-sized agricultural producers.
dailymontanan.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Montana Farmers Union talks small producers, communities during annual event #mtpol
Uncommon Ground: Inspiration of a New Generation flatheadbeacon.com/2025/10/29/i... #mtpol
Inspiration of a New Generation - Flathead Beacon
I looked with shock at the price on the chocolate bar at the grocer. It read $8.49. I swear it was less than five bucks just last month. It’s good chocolate but that’s a big price increase. America’s ...
flatheadbeacon.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Uncommon Ground: Inspiration of a New Generation flatheadbeacon.com/2025/10/29/i... #mtpol
"Those rules prohibit women from running, in addition to raising the minimum candidate age from 21 to 30." #mtpol
Arrests, frozen bank accounts and a controversial election: Leadership crisis grips Northern Cheyenne Tribe
Both the president and council members spoke with MTFP in recent interviews to clarify their perspectives.
montanafreepress.org
October 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
"Those rules prohibit women from running, in addition to raising the minimum candidate age from 21 to 30." #mtpol
"...a 2024 study from Virginia’s state Legislature reports that residents could pay $37.50/month subsidizing data centers through their power bills." #mtpol
Sarah Borduin: With data centers, our security will be in the contracts — not the sales pitch
What is a data center and why does it matter?
www.bozemandailychronicle.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:43 AM
"...a 2024 study from Virginia’s state Legislature reports that residents could pay $37.50/month subsidizing data centers through their power bills." #mtpol
"Willie Nelson launched the music festival in 1985 as a fundraiser to save family farms. With corporate consolidation a continuing threat to farms, it’s now a platform for populist organizing, too." #mtpol
At 40, Farm Aid Is Still About Music. It’s Also a Movement.
Willie Nelson launched the festival in 1985 to save family farms. Amid corporate consolidation, it’s now a platform for populist organizing.
civileats.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:14 PM
"Willie Nelson launched the music festival in 1985 as a fundraiser to save family farms. With corporate consolidation a continuing threat to farms, it’s now a platform for populist organizing, too." #mtpol
Uncommon Ground: Optimism of Andy Feury #mtpol
Optimism of Andy Feury - Flathead Beacon
City Councilor Andy Feury attended Flathead High School along with the late County Commissioner Joe Brenneman. They took American history class together back when school kids read printed newspapers l...
flatheadbeacon.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Uncommon Ground: Optimism of Andy Feury #mtpol
Housing not expensive enough #mtpol
"The tariffs going into effect on Tuesday include:
10 percent on imported wood and timber, much of which the United States imports from Canada."
"The tariffs going into effect on Tuesday include:
10 percent on imported wood and timber, much of which the United States imports from Canada."
Trump Ramps Up Trade War as Tariffs on Lumber and Furniture Kick In
www.nytimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Housing not expensive enough #mtpol
"The tariffs going into effect on Tuesday include:
10 percent on imported wood and timber, much of which the United States imports from Canada."
"The tariffs going into effect on Tuesday include:
10 percent on imported wood and timber, much of which the United States imports from Canada."
Platner: “That mostly seems like I’m just trying to give a damn about my community.” #mtpol
Democratic Food and Ag Candidates Enter the Political Fray
Amid Trump’s tariffs, funding freezes, and food assistance cuts, newcomers from food and farming backgrounds are entering congressional races.
civileats.com
October 12, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Platner: “That mostly seems like I’m just trying to give a damn about my community.” #mtpol
Food about to get even more expensive #mtpol
'Hurting farmers': Trump admin just made an 'unusual acknowledgement' about its policies
Donald Trump's administration just made an "unusual acknowledgement" about its immigration policies, according to a new report Saturday.In a weekend article called "Trump administration says immigrati...
www.rawstory.com
October 12, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Food about to get even more expensive #mtpol
'suck it up' the next rate increase #mtpol
PSC approves rate increase for 89,000 Montana-Dakota Utilities natural gas customers
"I don't want to say 'just suck it up,' but its sometimes it's a hard world," one Public Service Commission analyst said Tuesday.
missoulian.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:04 PM
'suck it up' the next rate increase #mtpol
Tester: Being a farmer is the best job I’ve ever had, but I have a dire warning for this country: Family farms are in trouble, and that translates to even bigger trouble for the rest of America. #mtpol
Fmr. Sen. Jon Tester | Congress must stand up for farmers and against Trump’s tariffs
Trump is reportedly considering giving money to farmers that will help them offset the damage his policies have caused.
www.msnbc.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Tester: Being a farmer is the best job I’ve ever had, but I have a dire warning for this country: Family farms are in trouble, and that translates to even bigger trouble for the rest of America. #mtpol
In 2024 Ohio farmers produced 276 million bushels of soybeans. Now, the cost to produce a bushel of soybeans is about $3.50 more than the market price.
That’s nearly a $1 billion loss for Ohio farmers www.toledoblade.com/opinion/edit...
That’s nearly a $1 billion loss for Ohio farmers www.toledoblade.com/opinion/edit...
Editorial: Relief for farmers
President Trump’s plan to bail out soybean farmers with a subsidy check, as was done in 2018, is the predictable consequence of what he called “Liberation ...
www.toledoblade.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
In 2024 Ohio farmers produced 276 million bushels of soybeans. Now, the cost to produce a bushel of soybeans is about $3.50 more than the market price.
That’s nearly a $1 billion loss for Ohio farmers www.toledoblade.com/opinion/edit...
That’s nearly a $1 billion loss for Ohio farmers www.toledoblade.com/opinion/edit...
Montana tagged as "In or at high risk of a recession". Budget shortfalls upcoming soon #mtpol
22 states are in a recession or close to it, new analysis finds
Twenty-two states are either in a recession or on the precipice of a downturn, according to a new analysis from Moody's Analytics.
www.axios.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Montana tagged as "In or at high risk of a recession". Budget shortfalls upcoming soon #mtpol
Judge says residential property owners can continue lawsuit against Montana’s Department of Revenue #mtpol
Judge says residential property owners can continue lawsuit against Montana's Department of Revenue • Daily Montanan
A Butte judge said that residents can sue the Montana Department of Revenue for failing to equalize property tax rates for businesses and local homeowners.
dailymontanan.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Judge says residential property owners can continue lawsuit against Montana’s Department of Revenue #mtpol
“We have an export-dependent industry, we’ve angered its biggest customer, and, boom, now we’re bailing out the export-dependent industry,” said Scott Lincicome, the vice president for general economics at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. #mtpol
Trump to Unveil Farmer Aid as China Shuns U.S. Crops
www.nytimes.com
October 7, 2025 at 1:05 PM
“We have an export-dependent industry, we’ve angered its biggest customer, and, boom, now we’re bailing out the export-dependent industry,” said Scott Lincicome, the vice president for general economics at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. #mtpol
“I’ve got farmers who are calling me from these other farm organizations that are freaking out about the tariffs.”
Those tariffs continue to be a major concern, Schweitzer said, because it has caused some countries to simply buy agricultural products from other countries. #mtpol
Those tariffs continue to be a major concern, Schweitzer said, because it has caused some countries to simply buy agricultural products from other countries. #mtpol
Tariff tribulations: Farmers Union pushing for farm bill, other legislation as woes continue
Legislative fly-In to Washington, D.C. priorities included Farm Bill, country of origin packaging and right to repair.
www.bozemandailychronicle.com
October 6, 2025 at 1:06 PM
“I’ve got farmers who are calling me from these other farm organizations that are freaking out about the tariffs.”
Those tariffs continue to be a major concern, Schweitzer said, because it has caused some countries to simply buy agricultural products from other countries. #mtpol
Those tariffs continue to be a major concern, Schweitzer said, because it has caused some countries to simply buy agricultural products from other countries. #mtpol
"These are funds that are critically needed by producers who have bills to pay, debt to pay," Montana Farmers Union President Walter Schweitzer told MTPR. "And it's just going to delay those payments and add stress to their everyday life." #mtpol
Federal government shutdown freezes farm support services
Many U.S. Department of Agriculture services are frozen as a result of the government shutdown. The freeze could have significant impacts for Montana’s farmers.
www.mtpr.org
October 6, 2025 at 12:43 PM
"These are funds that are critically needed by producers who have bills to pay, debt to pay," Montana Farmers Union President Walter Schweitzer told MTPR. "And it's just going to delay those payments and add stress to their everyday life." #mtpol
Uncommon Ground: Digitally Divided #mtpol
Digitally Divided - Flathead Beacon
He levered his arm downward as if switching off the power and said to just turn off the internet. I’d asked him how to calm many of the arguments plaguing society. He offered a simple yet fascinating ...
flatheadbeacon.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Uncommon Ground: Digitally Divided #mtpol
Uncommon Ground: Listening #mtpol flatheadbeacon.com/2025/09/17/l...
Listening - Flathead Beacon
As I made the long drive from the Flathead to the Windy City to chat with statewide Democrats, I noticed the same phenomenon I do every time I travel across this big state; our landscape is incredibly...
flatheadbeacon.com
September 17, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Uncommon Ground: Listening #mtpol flatheadbeacon.com/2025/09/17/l...