I grew up in southeastern Montana and I can tell you that Montana is run like a feudal kingdom in the Middle Ages. The ranchers that infest government are so anti-growth that they cratered the economy. Montana is surrounded by much more prosperous states like Idaho, Wyoming, South zealots and North Dakota. It is the reason that everyone in my hometown leaves for more economic opportunities.
“The ranchers that infest government are so anti-growth that they cratered the economy.”
Don’t know if it’s the ranchers so much as the greenies with big money settlers who move in then block all other development - NIMBY.
But SW Montana is different - lots of growth in the Bozeman area.