Forrest Anderson and the Reshaping of Montana State Government

Massive upheaval and change took place both in the nation and Montana in the late 1960s, early 1970s. Governor Forrest Anderson took the reins of state government from Tim Babcock and the Republicans in 1968.  In four short years Anderson orchestrated the reorganization of state government—trimming state agencies/commissions from 161 to 19—and the rewriting of the 1889 Montana constitution.  These monumental efforts  make Anderson one of the most transformative Montana governors in the 20th century.