Independent Record: More logging and thinning to battle wildfires might just burn taxpayer dollars
In the wake of one of the worst fire seasons in Montana history, lawmakers in Washington, D.C., have called for more logging and thinning in forests as a way to “fireproof” the state and create more jobs at lumber mills. But several wildfire experts contend that fires will keep burning and sending smoke into valleys, especially during unusually hot and dry periods like this summer. While there isn’t a clear scientific consensus on the best approach to manage such fires, a common theme among experts who spoke to the Missoulian is that more forest management alone isn’t the answer. “Often
Committee Passes Two Daines Bills to Improve Security
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines secured passage of two pieces of legislation that ensures that children are adequately protected when an emergency arises and brings government technology into the 21st century. The U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs unanimously passed the Homeland Security for Children Act and the FITARA Enhancement Act. The Homeland Security for Children Act requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to solicit input from organizations representing the needs of children and take into consideration those unique needs when developing Department-wide policies and specifically when the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) is developing emergency preparedness plans. The recent tragedies of wildfires and
Daines: We Have A Duty To Protect The Most Vulnerable
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today helped introduce legislation to protect unborn children from the pain of late-term abortions. Daines is an original cosponsor of the commonsense Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This legislation would prevent late-term abortion nationwide beyond 20 weeks – more than halfway through pregnancy when a baby can feel pain. In fact, 63 percent of Montanans support legislation limiting abortion after five months. “The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act is an important measure to do exactly that: protect unborn children who can feel pain,” Daines stated. “Only seven countries in the world allow babies 20 weeks or older to be aborted and the United
Billings Gazette: Daines, Tester, Gianforte not ready to regulate bump stocks
The gadget that transformed a Las Vegas terrorist’s semiautomatic rifles into machine gun-style weapons is under criticism, but Montana’s congressional delegation isn’t ready to ban the device — at least not yet. The aftermarket devices known as “bump stocks” are in the sights of some congressional leaders who say the products should be restricted, if not banned. The National Rifle Association indicated Thursday that it, too, thought bump stocks should be subject to additional regulation. Montana Sens. Jon Tester, a Democrat, and Steve Daines, a Republican, said hearings on bump stocks were in order. They stopped short of saying they
Montana Public Radio: Daines, Tester trying to reverse court ruling on Lynx Habitat
Montana’s senators are trying to reverse a controversial federal court case out of Bozeman they say is partly to blame for the state’s devastating wildfires. But some environmentalists say it’s actually an assault on the Endangered Species Act. At a congressional hearing last week, Republican Senator Steve Daines said there’s a saying in Montana: “Either we’re going to manage the forests, or the forests are going to manage us.” And he says a recent 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling known as the Cottonwood decision means the forests are managing Montana. Daines testified alongside Democratic Senator Jon Tester in
Daines Encourages Montanans to Register for the Montana High Tech Jobs Summit
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today highlighted the upcoming Montana High Tech Jobs Summit that will take place in Missoula on October 8-9. Montanans are encouraged to register now at www.montanatechsummit.com “I’m inviting you to join us at the Montana High Tech Jobs on October 8 and 9 in Missoula for a conversation about growing more high-paying tech jobs,” Daines stated. “To register and for more information please visit www.montanatechsummit.com. See you there!” Click HERE to download Daines’ message encouraging Montanans to register. Speakers at the Montana High Tech Jobs Summit include: Jay Clayton, Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange
Daines to Welcome Neville Ray to Montana Tech Summit
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Neville Ray, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of T-Mobile, will deliver remarks at the Montana High Tech Jobs Summit. The Summit, co-sponsored by Daines, will take place in Missoula on October 9. The Montana Tech Summit will serve as a unique opportunity to bring together the nation’s tech leaders in the hub of Montana’s growing technology sector. The Summit will highlight Montana’s growing role in the nation’s high-tech economy and serve as an opportunity to discuss ways to create more good-paying Montana tech jobs. “Neville Ray knows
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Baker Furniture
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized a multi-generation cornerstone of the community in Fallon County, Baker Furniture. Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. 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: http://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve The following is the statement submitted to the
Daines: We Need To Repeal and Refund Obamacare Poverty Tax
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation, the Repeal and Refund Act, to retroactively repeal the individual mandate and refund everyone who has paid it. Obamacare imposes a tax penalty on Americans who don’t buy insurance and in 2014 and 2015 alone, they collected over $5 billion dollars in fines. Billions more were collected in 2016. In 2015, nearly 30,000 Montanans had to pay the IRS $14,341,000 for choosing not to purchase Obamacare, an average tax of $487 per household. 75 percent of Montana households who pay this tax make less than $50,000 per year. “Families that can’t