MISSOULA — The first meeting of a new legislative committee formed to examine alleged violations of civil rights and censorship on Montana’s campuses got off to a rocky start on Monday.

In a series of votes during a testy initial meeting, Sen. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena, made several failed attempts to dissolve the Civil Rights Violations and Censorship by MUS (Montana University System) Committee. Rep. Caleb Hinkle, R-Belgrade, was denied the chairmanship of the committee created by his own House Bill 284, a matter that likewise took three votes to eventually settle.

The committee is likely bound for some gridlock as one of the few that exists with a membership evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. The work ahead is steeped in longstanding disputes regarding where the state Le

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