Gov. Greg Gianforte delivers a State of the State address that focuses on economic growth, but lawmakers are turning their attention to social issues.

The life cycle of legislation is just getting started. The mechanics of public power are sorting and sifting policy — and much of that work starts with the building of relationships.

Host Mara Silvers and reporters Ellis Juhlin and Shaylee Ragar discuss the legislation they're watching this week — along with the schisms between and within the parties that are starting to form.

Montana lawmakers take their oaths of office and begin their work in the state capitol.

With the 2022 election over, Republicans hold power not seen in the state capitol in nearly a century. The governor has released his budget. And lawmakers have elected leadership and will arrive in Helena on Jan. 2 to begin their work.

In our final episode for the 2021 legislative session, we're looking at new laws, how lawmakers sought to asset more power among Montana's branches of government and what loose ends remain as we head into the interim.

This week we’re watching how the Republican majority is spending their mandate from voters as the session is winding down and last minute legislation.

This week we’re watching a mounting dispute over separation of powers between the Legislature and the Montana Supreme Court. We’re also watching the debate on a bill that would incentivize the state’s largest utility to buy more of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant.

This week we’re watching proposed changes to social safety net eligibility, parental rights and the ideological split within the GOP over marijuana taxes.

This week we’re watching how lawmakers are piecing the budget puzzle together. Major questions remain over new taxes cuts, funding state agencies, what to do with federal stimulus and recreational marijuana.