Daines: Montana Farmers and Ranchers are Now Eligible for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Montana’s farmers, ranchers and ag businesses will be eligible for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Today’s announcement follows Daines’ request to the Small Business Association urging them to grant farms, ranches and ag businesses the opportunity to apply for the EIDL program. “This is great news for Montana’s farmers and ranchers as they head into the spring planting season. Ensuring our farmers and ranchers have access to this program is critical to making sure they can continue to maintain our nation’s food supply chain
Daines Helps Secure Over $480 Billion for Hospitals, Testing, Small Businesses During Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured a boost of over $480 billion in funding for testing, hospitals, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) to provide more relief for Montana small businesses, workers, families and healthcare professionals in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. This is not Phase Four of Congress’ response to the coronavirus outbreak. This bipartisan deal is a boost in funding from the Coronavirus Economic Relief Package which was signed into law on March 27th, 2020 to protect public health, and provide relief for Montana small businesses, workers
Montana adds 4 COVID-19 cases, total now 437 — and 273 recoveries
Four new cases of coronavirus were reported in Montana on Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to 437. And of those, 273 cases have recovered and there have been 12 deaths due to the respiratory illness. The state reports at covid19.mt.gov there are 14 who remain hospitalized out of 59 hospitalizations and 11,241 tests have been performed. That’s an increase of 190 tests from Monday. Also on Tuesday, the governor said he was able to get more masks, shields and other protective gear for health care workers. Two of the newest cases were in Gallatin County, which now has 145. Yellowstone reported one new case
Town Hall talks COVID-19, reopening Montana with key players
BIG SKY – The fourth installment of EBS’s virtual Town Hall meetings brought key voices to the weekly conversation, kicking off the evening with Montana Gov. Steve Bullock. The state executive joined the meeting in between conversations with business leaders, public health experts and others to determine the best way to roll out a phased reopening anticipated to begin April 25, the day following the termination of the governor’s stay-at-home directive. Bullock echoed statements he made in his own press conference last week, advising Montanans to reshape their expectations of what life outside of quarantine conditions will look like. “Our
Montana senators optimistic about economic recovery
MISSOULA — Montana’s senators are optimistic about how the state will rebound from the coronavirus shutdown. But they’re also saying it will take a phased approach, geared to the different circumstances. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines have had some differing viewpoints over how everyone is dealing with the pandemic. Tester has been more critical of the rollout of stimulus funds and assistance, while Daines is more praiseworthy of the efforts to help individuals and businesses. And while they each have their own perspective on how the country should re-open after the long shutdown, both are expressing confidence that Montana’s
Daines Helps Secure $480 Billion for Hospitals – Small Business
Montana Senator Steve Daines held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon from his office in Washington just after the U.S. Senate voted on more funding to provide help for Montanans struggling during the COVID 19 crisis. “Just literally minutes ago the U.S. Senate passed a very important package of over $480 billion of additional relief,” he said. “This will be targeted in some key areas. There’s $25 billion for testing, and Montana will be receiving over $16 million for developing, administering and processing the tests for COVID 19.” Daines continued with more details about the hard-fought passage of the additional
Senate approves $500 billion COVID-19 relief bill after bipartisan deal
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has reached a tentative agreement with President Donald Trump on a nearly $500 billion coronavirus relief bill. The US Senate voted in favor of the bill on Tuesday with a small group of senators pushing the bill through in whats known as a “pro forma session.” Sen. Rand Paul spoke up to say he objected to the bill being voted on without the full Senate, but stopped short of forcing the entire Senate to return to Washington. The bill now moves to the House. The measure would replenish a small business rescue program, provide hospitals with
Daines Urges Relief Funding for Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena, Montana Rural Providers During Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Azar urging the next round of hospital and provider funding under the Coronavirus Economic Recovery Package to target the needs of Montana’s rural providers and children’s hospitals, including Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena. “I am concerned that a number of critically important providers in Montana are still in desperate need of relief, and I am especially concerned about Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena and our state’s extensive network of rural hospitals,” Daines wrote. “I would implore you to respond rapidly to deliver assistance under
Montana Ag Network (Mon Apr 20)
Lane Nordlund has the Montana Ag Network report for Monday, April 20, 2020. #1 Friday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will provide $19 Billion dollars to provide relief for farmers, ranchers, and consumers. “This new $19 Billion program will take several immediate actions to assists farmers, ranchers and concerns in response to the COVID-19 national emergency,” Perdue stated during a White House COVID-19 press conference. North Dakota Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, released a detailed draft of the plan. $16 billion in direct payments for farmers and ranchers,