KRTV: Senator Daines focuses on Agriculture concerns during state-wide tour
GREAT FALLS – Senator Steve Daines spent the past week visiting communities around Montana, wrapping up the 56 county tour Thursday in Chester. The senator says the tour gave him important feedback on key issues facing Montanans, including natural resource development creating more jobs along with issues farmers and ranchers are facing. Daines says the top concern was the future of agriculture, the state’s top industry. “We have a big state, it’s a great state, and it’s the best part of my job is having a chance to sit down and have a cup of coffee with a lot of
KBZK: Senator Daines pays a visit to his old Elementary school
Senator Steve Daines took a trip back in time while talking to the future. Daines visited first graders at his old elementary school which he attended in the 60s. “I remember when I was walking these halls, I wanted to be a fireman or a farmer, and you remember the impact your teachers have. I remember my first-grade teacher here at Longfellow was Mrs. Hahn,” Daines said. He answered questions ranging from his job to his birthday and then the students presented him with a piece of handmade artwork. “We just thought it would be fun for him to have something
Helena Independent Record: Daines: Reforms needed for ‘unfair’ firefighter retirement, workers comp system
Calling the current system “unfair,” U.S. Sen. Steve Daines is proposing legislation reforming retirement and workers compensation payments for federal wildland firefighters and law enforcement injured on the job. The current retirement system allows firefighters working in hazardous conditions retirement after 20 years. However, if they are injured on the job and reassigned to a nonhazardous role, they are subject to a 30-year retirement track. Overtime and bonuses are not factored into workers compensation payments, meaning an injured firefighter receives only a percentage of base pay. The base is typically only a fraction of firefighters’ annual earnings as overtime pay
Daines Announces Legislation to Protect Injured Wildland Firefighters Retirements
HELENA, Mont. —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced legislation to protect wildland firefighters retirement. Currently, if injured and not able to return to a firefighting position, federal wildland firefighters must switch from the 20-year retirement track authorized for federal employees with certain hazardous jobs to the 30-year retirement track for ordinary federal employees. Daines’ fix will allow wildland firefighters to remain on the 20-year retirement track if they’re injured on the job. Additionally, Daines’ fix requires that overtime pay be considered as income for purposes of calculating worker’s compensation disability benefits since overtime pay constitutes a significant portion of wildland firefighter
Daines Meets with VA Montana Director
HELENA, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today met with Dr. Kathy Berger, the director of the Montana VA Healthcare System, to discuss prioritizing Montana veterans and ensuring they receive the care they deserve. Daines pressed Berger on holding officials at the VA accountable and ensuring those who have served receives the best possible care. They also discussed the unique challenges facing veterans living in rural areas, issues related to Health Net and third party providers, as well as the obstacles that exist in providing quality care, regardless of a veteran’s residence or location. “Dr. Berger has a tall order ahead
KRTV: Daines tours Great Falls Rescue Mission’s Cameron Family Center
GREAT FALLS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines visited the Great Falls Rescue Mission’s Cameron Family Center on Thursday. The facility opened last month. Montana’s U.S. Senators Daines and Jon Tester have supported the New Markets Tax Credits Program since its start in 2000, which helped fund the Cameron Family Center through the Montana & Idaho Community Development Corporation. The MICDC is a non-profit consulting agency; since 2009, the organization has provided more than $300 million in tax credits and has funded 26 projects in Montana and Idaho. MICDC representatives Rachel Golden and Ben Wright say the organization brought in around $1 million dollars of
Lake County Leader: DAINES ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR CSKT DIABETES PROGRAMS
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, has announced the allocation of over $1 million in grant money to Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to aid diabetes treatment and prevention efforts on the Flathead Indian Reservation. “Diabetes sadly plagues many in Montana’s Native communities, and through this funding the CSKT can continue to improve care for tribal members living with this disease,” Daines said in a press release issued on Dec. 9. Native Americans have the highest rate of Type 2, or adult onset, diabetes in the country, the release states. The $1,040,808-grant will come as part of the Special Diabetes Program
Stillwater County News: DAINES TALKS TRUMP, JOBS, REGULATIONS AND HOPE
Sen. Steve Daines stopped in Uncle Sam’s Eastery in Columbus Tuesday afternoon as part of his 56-county tour. Daines spoke to a crowded audience about the changes in Washington D.C. He opened by telling the crowd that he worked for them. “Always remember that. You are my boss. I work for you,” said Daines. Daines gave a brief summary of the state of affairs in Washington D.C. and the surprise election of Donald Trump as president. “He didn’t have a lot of support from Democrats. He didn’t have a lot support from Republicans. You know who supported him? The American
Daines Comments on Latest Yahoo Security Breach
GREAT FALLS, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the following statement on Yahoo’s disclosure that more than 1 billion accounts were attacked: “The Yahoo breach is a glaring example of how vulnerable our digital information is,” Daines stated. “Private companies must uphold the highest standard to combat cyber criminals and prevent future breaches.” In September, Yahoo disclosed that 500 million users were attacked in 2014. Before serving in Congress, Daines worked in the technology sector for more than twelve years. He served as vice president of Montana-based RightNow Technologies, a global leader in cloud computing and multi-billion dollar technology company that became Bozeman, Montana’s largest commercial employer. ###