Daines promotes wildfire protection bill on tour of Helena fire that led to 500 homes evacuated
NORTH HILLS — Standing yards above the makeshift range where a person shooting exploding targets sparked a wildfire last month, Tri-Lakes Fire Chief Bob Drake grabbed the top of one of the 3 ½-foot tall Ponderosa pine saplings populating the area that he said presented a huge problem when trying to fight the fire. “It was a really difficult initial attack,” Drake said. “ … (Firefighters were) doing everything they can, and this is what they’re dealing with and they can’t even get through that. You can’t stop it in this. I don’t care what you’ve got.” The North Hills fire grew to
Sen. Steve Daines holds Senate subcommittee hearing live at Grant-Kohrs Ranch Thursday
Wanting to highlight Montana’s lesser visited national parks, Sen. Steve Daines will host a National Parks Subcommittee Senate hearing live at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Grant-Kohrs National Historic Site north of Deer Lodge. The Republican senator has invited a list of officials, from Powell County Commissioner Ralph E. Mannix, Jr., to Toby O’Rourke, president and chief executive officer of Kampgrounds of America Inc., to hold a conversation about how to increase visitation at all of Montana’s national parks. Others who will be there to talk will include Palmer “Chip” Jenkins, Intermountain Region National Park Service acting regional director, and Sarah
Daines pushing forest management reform measure
MISSOULA — US Senator Steve Daines says new forest management reform legislation will take “concrete, meaningful steps” to improve forest health and reduce the risk of wildfires. The Republican also hopes teaming up with veteran Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California will convince Congress the issue is critical and needs to be addressed across party lines. Word came late last week that Daines and Feinstein are working on legislation that would protect public safety by expediting and expanding the removal of dead, dying and hazardous trees in national forests. The pair had jointly authored a letter in 2016, even before
Daines Announces $300,000 to Spur Economic Development for Colstrip Communities
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $300,000 will be directed towards Rosebud County to strengthen Colstrip and support the economic infrastructure of the local community. “This is about making sure the folks at Colstrip aren’t left behind,” Daines said. “These grants will strengthen the local community in Rosebud by creating good paying jobs and spurring economic development for Rosebud County’s small businesses.” Colstrip was granted two grants from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for $300,000. $250,000 will be directed provide financing to the coal industries in the counties impacted by the imminent closure of the power plant
Daines Introduces Legislation to Protect Veterans from Pension Poachers
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation to protect Montana veterans from being scammed by pension poachers. “It is a shame that there are bad actors out there looking to take advantage of our nation’s heroes,” Daines said. “My legislation cracks down on pension poachers and ensure our veterans in Montana and across the country are protected from these illegal scams.” The FREE Veterans Act reinstates a penalty on companies who act illegally by providing advice or representation to veterans without proper accreditation from the VA. The bill requires the VA to communicate to the veteran or spouse about
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Father Thomas Tobin
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Father Thomas Tobin of Carter County for his tremendous impact on the state of Montana. Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’ website: HERE. The following is a statement submitted to the Congressional Record: Mr. DAINES. Mr. President,
“High priority:” Daines places support behind Mullan BUILD project in Missoula
With traffic rushing by on Flynn Lane, Sen. Steve Daines on Friday placed his support behind Missoula’s application for a $15 million federal grant that would set the stage for future growth through new connector roads and vital infrastructure. Joined by city and county officials, Daines described the Mullan BUILD project as key to Missoula’s future. If the grant were successful, it could guide future growth and create new housing stock, something that’s needed to combat rising housing costs. “This is going to be one of my highest priorities in Washington,” said Daines, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee,
Daines, Feinstein Developing Major, Bipartisan Forestry Legislation
U.S. SENATE— U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following joint statement on bipartisan legislation they are developing to protect public safety by expediting and expanding the removal of dead, dying and hazardous trees in national forests: “The 2017 and 2018 fire seasons brought unspeakable loss and grief to California and Montana communities. Unfortunately, millions of acres of forests in our states and across the West remain at high risk of catastrophic wildfires, and there is strong consensus that fire seasons will only get worse. We believe additional resources are urgently needed to protect our communities
Daines Votes No on Budget Deal, Slams Out of Control Government Spending
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement on his vote against increasing the federal debt ceiling and government spending: “I voted no on the budget deal today. It is absolutely irresponsible for Washington to increase the limit on the nation’s credit card while busting the budget and increasing government spending by hundreds of billions with no effort to reform out of control spending and deficits,” Daines said. “We need reforms like my Balanced Budget Accountability Act that holds Congress accountable by withholding their pay if they don’t pass a budget that balances.” Background: Daines has always been