Politics of Montana in 1986

In 1986, Montana was a state in transition. The Montana Democratic Party had held a majority in the state legislature since 1973, but the Republican Party was gaining momentum and would soon break their streak. In 1986, the Democrats held a slim majority of 52 to 47 in the House of Representatives and a larger majority of 29 to 21 in the Senate. The Governor’s office was held by Democrat Ted Schwinden who had been elected in 1984.

Schwinden’s term marked a period of increased government spending on infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges. He also worked with legislators from both parties to pass legislation dealing with education reform, environmental protection, and economic development. In addition, he signed into law Montana’s first-ever campaign finance reform measure which required candidates for statewide office to disclose their sources of income and other financial information.

The 1986 election saw several important races for both parties at the state level. Republicans sought to gain control of both chambers of the legislature as well as take back the Governor’s office from Schwinden. The Republicans were successful in regaining control of both chambers and electing Stan Stephens as Governor, making him the first Republican governor since 1965.

According to Deluxesurveillance, the election also saw several ballot initiatives which were hotly contested by both sides including measures relating to abortion rights, gun control laws, and taxation policies. All three initiatives passed despite opposition from Republicans who argued that they infringed upon individual liberties or would lead to higher taxes for Montanans. Despite these losses at the ballot box, Republicans were successful in taking back control of state government from Democrats during this period which marked an important shift in Montana politics.

Population of Montana in 1986

In 1986, Montana had an estimated population of 830,000 people. This was an 8% increase from 1980 and the fastest growing population in the northwest region of the United States. The majority of Montana’s population lived in rural areas with 93% living outside of metropolitan areas. The largest cities were Billings, Missoula, Great Falls and Butte which each had populations ranging from 15-50 thousand people.

The population was made up primarily of white Americans with 97% identifying as such. Native Americans made up 1.6%, Asians 0.7%, African Americans 0.3%, and other races 0.4%. The median household income was $21,000 while the per capita income was $11,000.

Montana had a diverse economy in 1986 with agriculture being the largest sector followed by mining, energy production and tourism being important contributors to the state’s economy as well. Manufacturing also played a role with companies like Anaconda Copper producing products for export worldwide.

According to Foodezine, Montana also had a rich cultural heritage with many different Native American tribes having inhabited the area for centuries prior to European settlement in the late 1800s. In addition, Montana was home to many different religious groups including Christians (mostly Protestant denominations), Mormons, Jews and Muslims among others who all contributed to the state’s unique culture and identity.

Economy of Montana in 1986

In 1986, Montana’s economy was largely based on the production of natural resources with agriculture, mining, and energy production being the three major sectors. Agriculture was a major contributor to the state’s economy with cattle ranching being the most important industry followed by wheat farming. Mining was also an important sector in Montana with coal, copper, gold and other minerals being mined from the state’s vast mineral resources. Energy production also played an important role in Montana’s economy with coal and natural gas being produced from oil and gas wells located throughout the state.

Manufacturing also played a role in Montana’s economy with companies such as Anaconda Copper producing products for export worldwide. Tourism was another major industry which provided employment opportunities for many Montanans while also bringing revenues into the state through taxes and fees paid by visitors.

In 1986, there were approximately 830,000 people living in Montana with a median household income of $21,000 and a per capita income of $11,000. The unemployment rate at this time was 4% which was lower than the national average of 5%. The poverty rate for 1986 was 11% which was slightly higher than the national average of 9%.

According to Bittranslators, Montana had a strong economy in 1986 supported by its diverse industries including agriculture, mining and energy production as well as manufacturing and tourism. This diversification helped to ensure that even during times when one sector struggled or faced declines there were still other sources of economic activity that could help to support Montanans and keep them employed.

Events held in Montana in 1986

In 1986, Montana had a variety of events and activities for both locals and visitors alike. During the summer months, the state was host to an array of festivals and fairs. The most notable of these was the Montana State Fair held in Great Falls which featured rides, games, and entertainment for all ages. The Missoula County Fair was also held in July and featured rodeos, carnival rides, live music, and food vendors.

The state also hosted several music festivals throughout the year including the Big Sky Country Music Festival in June which showcased some of the best country music talent from around the region. In August, the Montana Folk Festival took over downtown Butte with performances from traditional dance groups as well as modern folk performers.

Other popular events included rodeos such as the Billings Stampede Rodeo which took place in July and attracted competitors from all over Montana. For those who were looking for a more relaxed atmosphere there were art shows such as Art Walk in Whitefish where local artists displayed their work or theater performances such as A Streetcar Named Desire performed at Helena’s Grandstreet Theatre.

Sports were also a popular pastime with professional teams such as the Billings Mustangs baseball team playing at Dehler Park or college teams like Montana State University competing against rival schools across the region. Finally, outdoor recreation opportunities could be found across Montana with skiing near Big Sky or fishing on one of its many rivers and lakes being just two of many activities available to visitors throughout 1986.