Daines Welcomes Montana Telecom Leaders to DC
U.S. SENATE — This week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines welcomed two Montana telecommunications industry leaders to Washington, D.C. for a forum to discuss rural connectivity. The #Solutions2020 Policy Forum, hosted by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, gathered communications specialists from around the country to discuss connectivity issues facing America. Participants discussed issues such as: digital inclusion, communications affordability, 5G technology and digital healthcare. Diane Smith, Founder and CEO of American Rural shared her firsthand experiences with infrastructure and affordability issues in rural communities and Mike Kilgore CEO, Sagebrush Cellular and Nemont Telephone Cooperative discussed challenges in providing quality
Daines Seeks to Level Trade Playing Field
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined a bipartisan group of 14 Senators in deriding the Obama administration’s decision to increase the costs of production for Montana companies by excluding many Generalized System of Preferences countries from duty relief on exports of backpacks, luggage and other related travel goods. In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, Daines pressed for the criteria that were used in making a decision that negatively impacts Montana companies by placing duties on these goods. “The Obama administration needs to clearly define why and how they decide to prioritize additional expenses on Montana products,” Daines
Sidney Herald: Sen. Daines: A Morning in Montana
The first week in October, I traveled across Eastern Montana – 648 miles to be exact with stops in 14 towns: Malta, Glasgow, Scobey, Westby, Plentywood, Culbertson, Sidney, Glendive, Wibaux, Baker, Ekalaka, Broadus, Alzada and Ashland. Montana is a resource rich state. This includes agriculture as well robust coal, oil and natural gas potential — which directly employs nearly 6,000 Montanans and supports the employment of over 43,000 Montanans, in addition to providing a critical tax base – for our schools, teachers, roads and bridges. I was on my way from Baker to my first meeting of the day in
Daines Marks National Forest Products Week
BOZEMAN, Mont. —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today celebrated National Forest Products Week by highlighting the important impact forestry has on Montana’s economy. Montana’s National Forests are a treasured part of the state’s heritage for generations and provide timber-surrounded counties with good-paying jobs and a vital revenue source to fund schools and infrastructure projects. National Forest Products Week occurs the third week in October as designated by Public Law 86-753 (36 U.S.C. 123), and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week each year. The Montana Legislature established this week in 2011 to honor our
Daines’ Bill to Support Native Children Signed into Law
BOZEMAN, Mont. —U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bill to support Native children was signed into law on Friday, October 14, 2016. The bipartisan Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act creates a Commission on Native Children, which will conduct a comprehensive study on the programs, grants, and supports available for Native children, both at government agencies and on the ground in Native communities. The goal is to develop a sustainable system that delivers wrap-around services to Native children. “I am thrilled to see my bill to help Native children enacted into law,” Daines stated. “This bill is an important step
Great Falls Tribune: Bill Signed to Study, Aid Native Children Approved
A bill to support Native children was signed into law, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said Tuesday. The bipartisan Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act, which was signed Friday, creates a panel that will do a comprehensive study on the programs, grants and support available for Native children, both at government agencies and in Native communities. The goal is to develop a sustainable system that delivers wrap-around services to Native children, Daines said. “This bill is an important step in improving the quality of life for Native children so that they can in turn strengthen the
KTVH: Lewis & Clark County’s Treatment graduates were congratulated by a special guest
The three most recent graduates from Lewis & Clark County’s Treatment Court earned congratulations from a special guest Monday afternoon. Kyle Tisher, Jacob Siewert, and Alvin Grant went through the treatment court as an alternative to traditional sentencing. Some participate in the program for more than a year and a half. Treatment court is specifically designed for non-violent drug offenders, and also to hold them accountable for their actions while helping them become positive members of the community. Among friends and family in the courtroom was Senator Steve Daines to recognize them for their hard work. Daines tells MTN that
Missoulian: Lynx rule becomes law of land, but will the law stand?
A court order to do more work on protecting Canadian lynx in Rocky Mountain forests could become a late-season battleground for congressional action this winter. Last week, the Supreme Court let stand a U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that the U.S. Forest Service has to take a big-picture look at how it protects critical lynx habitat across 12 million acres touching 11 national forests. While wildlife advocates claimed a major win for the Endangered Species Act, timber industry supporters vowed to rewrite laws to speed up logging projects. “It’s now known as the Cottonwood decision, and it affects pretty
Sidney Herald: Daines seeks LYIP language
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., will seek legislative text during the next session to ensure farmers served by the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project do not pay the increased costs of making the Glendive Intake Diversion dam more fish friendly. Daines is on the Senate Committee on Appropriations and the subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, among several others. The diversion dam in Glendive serves 58,000 acres of cropland in the MonDak, including 18,500 acres on the North Dakota side. It is seen by many in the area as critical to the future of farmers