Our View: Hi-Line darts and laurels

Laurel — Congrats to the city of Havre and the Hill County Clerk and Recorder’s office for continuing the tradition of having mail-in elections for municipal offices. Voter turnout has increased sharply since mail-in voting was adopted. It is easier for most people to vote in their living room. Mail-in voting should become a statewide law, but unfortunately, the Montana Legislature has rejected ideas from Secretary of State Linda McCulloch that the state do that. But people who want to vote by mail in state and national elections can still apply with the clerk and recorder.

Laurel — Hands on History is happening this weekend. It’s a great time for kids — and for all of us , in fact — to learn about the history of our area. We have a rich history on the Hi-Line, and it’s fun to see how people lived in our area not that long ago. Stop down at the Holiday Village Mall 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday to join in the fun.

Laurel — The Montana Legislature is on the cusp of history. It appears that very soon the lawmakers will approving a plan that will create a plan that is largely federally funded to provide health insurance to 70,000 people who couldn't afford it otherwise. The lack of affordable health care in the United States is one of the biggest scandals facing our country. This is one step in solving the problem. A lot of people will be better off because of the legislature’s actions.

Dart — The political gamesmanship that has taken place in an effort to block that will of the majority in the Medicaid expansion effort is appalling even by Helena standards. Every political maneuver imaginable has been used to see that a final vote on Medicaid expansion does not take place. It appears, fortunately, that opponents have failed and the bill will pass.