E&E News: Most sites were open during shutdown, but at what cost?
The three-day government shutdown earlier this week forced lawmakers to revisit a thorny issue that crops up every time federal funding lapses. Should the country’s national parks and monuments remain open to the public even with fewer resources to protect visitors and maintain basic services? Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke decided to keep open most national parks and other sites from Saturday through Monday while the government was partially shuttered — a stark contrast to the three-week 2013 shutdown when the country’s iconic public lands were closed during the peak fall season. “The Obama administration wanted to make a point, to
Independent Record:Tester and Daines both present bills addressing Montana wilderness areas
Both senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines have wilderness-related bills up for hearing on Feb. 7, but their proposals move in opposite directions. Democrat Tester will present his Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act (S.507), which would add 79,000 acres to the Bob Marshall, Scapegoat and Mission Mountains wilderness areas. Republican Daines’ Protect Public Use of Public Lands Act (S.2206) would release about half a million acres in the Blue Joint, Sapphire, West Pioneer, Big Snowies and Middle Fork Judith wilderness study areas back to general national forest status. Both bills appear before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s public lands
Daines Announces State of the Union Guest
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that nine year-old Danielle (Dani) Highley from Deer Lodge, one of the 24,000 Montana children who will benefit from the six-year reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), will be his guest at this year’s State of the Union Address. This is the longest reauthorization in the program’s history. “Dani and the other 24,000 Montana children who depend on CHIP are the reason I fought so hard for the longest reauthorization in the program’s history,” said Daines. “I couldn’t think of anyone better to bring as my one guest to the
Great Falls Tribune: Walmart announces wage hikes, bonuses for Montana workers
Wal-Mart will give more than $3.8 million in pay increases and bonuses to 3,340 of its Montana workers as part of its plan to raise its starting hourly wage nationwide to $11 in a move that company officials credited to recent tax reforms passed in Congress. Wal-Mart, the state’s third-largest employer, also said Monday it would provide a one-time cash bonus for $1,000 to eligible associates as it expands its benefits. “These dollars are coming from the tax savings that the company is realizing from recent legislation,” said Tiffany Wilson, Wal-Mart communications director. “With this new tax savings, we wanted to
Montana’s Largest Employer Announces Nearly $4 Million in Wage Increases for Montanans
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after Walmart announced 3,340 Montanans will benefit from $3.8 million in wage increases and bonuses of up to $1,000 due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Congress last December. “It’s simple, tax cuts equal more jobs and bigger paychecks,” said Daines. Click HERE to see a list of major U.S. companies increasing pay and giving bonuses due to tax reform. Due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Walmart will: Increase starting hourly wage from $9 to $11 Expand maternity and parental leave Offer financial assistance
Daines: Colstrip Part of an All-of-the-Above Energy Approach
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today highlighted the critical role Colstrip Power Plant plays in all-of-the-above approach to meet energy demands. His remarks were made during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing about the importance of reliable and affordable energy during cold winters. Watch the video HERE. Download the video HERE. During his opening remarks, Daines mentioned his plans to host his second Montana Energy Summit in Billings, Montana on May 30th and 31st. At the summit, attendees will discuss energy infrastructure and the good-paying jobs energy creates. Excerpt from Daines’ prepared remarks: “One critical piece
Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Sen. Tester votes no on bill to fund government
Montana U.S. Democratic Sen. Jon Tester was one of 18 no votes in the U.S. Senate Monday on a bill to reopen the federal government and fund it through mid-February. Democratic and Republican senators in Congress disagreed over spending and immigration on Friday, which forced the shutdown over the weekend. The Senate advanced a bill Monday to reopen the government with a temporary budget. The bill passed 81-18 in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., agreed to negotiate on immigration and spending matters during that time. During a press call on Monday,
President Signs Bill to Reopen Government and Protect Montana Kids
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed legislation that ends the government shutdown and provides a six-year reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which 24,000 Montana kids depend upon. The legislation will keep the government funded until February 8th. “After several days of a pointless Democrat-led shutdown, the families of the 24,000 Montana children who depend on children’s health insurance can finally have certainty their kids will continue to have access to health care,” said Daines. Background: On January 22, Daines and 81 Senators voted to reopen the government and reauthorize the
Senate Votes to End Government Shutdown
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted to end the government shutdown and reauthorize a critical children’s health care program. The bill passed with 81 votes – only 18 Senators voted no. The bill includes a six-year reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which 24,000 Montana kids depend upon, and will keep the government open until February 8th. The U.S. House of Representatives will now vote on the bill and if it passes, the bill will move to the President’s desk to be signed into law. To watch Daines’ statement click HERE. To download Daines’ statement click HERE.