Rep. Jonathan Karlen

MT State Rep for House District 98, Missoula County

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

This past legislative session, we added language to Debt & Liability Free Account so funds can be used to, "replace federal funds that have been reduced or rescinded by the federal government." I urge @GovGianforte to fund food assistance immediately. #mtpol

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

Montana has funds to prevent my constituents and tens of thousands of Montanans from going hungry in the absence of SNAP. https://t.co/iQAjMJxRUk

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

A highlight of this session for me was working with, and learning from, an incredible team of medical providers to pass bills that rein in health insurance practices creating barriers to care. There’s much more to do, and I’m looking forward to continuing this work

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

"Rep. Jonathan Karlen, the Missoula Democrat who sponsored two of the proposals, said the reform package targets medications and treatments that patients rely on for basic quality of life, especially for people with chronic conditions."
https://t.co/OLNhs3RRoI #mtpol

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

By working across the aisle, we secured real wins on a wide range of issues for my constituents while stopping numerous harmful bills. It’s disappointing to see bipartisanship discouraged by those pushing division and hyper-partisanship—regardless of party. #mtpol

[Missoulian @missoulian]

The 23-page report obtained by the Montana State News Bureau slammed “certain Montana legislative Democrats’ decisions to work unquestioningly with the Republican Governor and his Republican legislative allies.” https://t.co/nSG2OrXHcq

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

This is the second manufactured home park in my district where, in just the past 6 months, out-of-state companies have issued large increases. I’ll keep working to pass legislation that strengthens protections for residents.

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

Thanks to Travois residents who organized and spoke out, Oak Wood Properties—the TX-based company that owns two parks in the Missoula area—has walked back its proposed lot rent hike to $50 instead of $150 (on top of a $200 increase last year and new fees).https://t.co/AU3X3kZAgw

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

My colleagues and I sent a letter to Oak Wood expressing appreciation for the reduced rent hike, but also our concern about long-term affordability for residents.

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

Legislators on both sides of the aisle showed a strong commitment to early childhood education this session, and I’ll continue doing everything I can to work with the Gov and stakeholders to deliver solutions that make childcare more affordable and accessible for families.

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

I’m disappointed in Governor Gianforte’s decision to veto House Bill 456—a bill I sponsored to make childcare more affordable and accessible by allowing childcare workers to qualify for the Best Beginnings scholarship program for their own children. #mtpol
https://t.co/xrvambs6Sk

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

I’m especially grateful to the many childcare providers, workers, and parents who fought so hard all session (and long before) to make sure every child has access to high-quality early learning. While this veto is certainty setback, there is still important work to do.

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

I was honored to be the House carrier and remain hopeful that we can override this veto and continue building on the meaningful, bipartisan work we've done to ensure that insurance company profits don’t come at the expense of Montanans’ health. #mtpol

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

While I’m grateful Gov. Gianforte signed two bills I sponsored to rein in insurance companies’ use of prior authorization to delay care for Montanans, I’m very disappointed he vetoed HB422 which Sen. @EllieHill sponsored and built bipartisan support for https://t.co/xYUdewq4SB

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

HB 422 would have banned step therapy (“fail-first”) for patients with advanced-stage cancer. In cmte, we heard powerful testimony about how these insurance tactics are devastating for patients facing life-threatening diagnoses and no time to waste on ineffective treatments.

[James Reavis @ReavisforMT]

I was saddened and disappointed that @GovGianforte vetoed SB 394, bipartisan legislation that would have supported our police officers, firefighters, and EMT’s for the trauma they face on the job for a reasonable cost. #mtleg #mtnews #mtpol

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

At our Legislative Council meeting we also assigned studies to their respective committees, launching the process of legislators studying topics that matter to their constituents. I look forward to working with Democrats and Republicans on a wide range of topics this interim.

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

As we await the Governor’s vetoes and override poll results, I was glad to be in Helena for initial interim committee meetings. During a joint meeting with Legislative Finance Cmte, we received an update on how HR 1 (“Big Beautiful Bill” in Congress) would impact MT #mtpol

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

In its current form, tens of thousands of Montanans risk of losing healthcare and the state faces hundreds of millions in lost revenue to deliver critical services.I hope the Senate will make substantial changes to the bill and I will continue closely following impacts to MT

[Rep. Jonathan Karlen @KarlenforHD98]

Drop by tomorrow and bring your questions for the Missoula legislative delegation! #mtpol #mtleg