Daines’ Office ‘Purple Up’ for Military Kids
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines and his office today honored the sacrifices military and veteran children make on behalf of the country by wearing purple to “Purple Up For Military Kids” on April 15. “Our offices in Montana and Washington are proud to Purple Up to help raise awareness and build support for military and veteran kids and families,”Daines stated. “We can’t thank our military heroes enough for their service to our country, including the tremendous sacrifice of their families. Thank you to all military children for their heroism and sacrifice on behalf of our country.” Daines and his Washington, D.C.
Daines Honors Montanans of the Week: Shirley and Dale of the Sweet Palace in Philipsburg
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today recognized Shirley Beck and Dale Siegford for contributing to many Montanans’ sweet tooth at the Sweet Palace in Philipsburg, MT. Click here to download photos of Shirley Beck and Dale Siegford at the Sweet Palace. 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
Daines Announces Increase in Forest Service Trail Funding
U.S. SENATE —At Senator Steve Daines’ urging, the U.S. Forest Service is increasing the FY 2016 trail funding for Montana’s National Forests, reversing their previous decision to cut funding by 30 percent over the next three years. “Montana’s National Forests and public lands are a treasured part of our state and today’s news ensures that Montanans will continue to enjoy our great outdoors,” Daines stated. “As an avid outdoorsman, I know how important maintaining and expanding access to our public lands are for our way of life. This is a welcome step to see the Forest Service value Montanans’ feedback and I will
Flathead Beacon: Forest Service Drops Proposal to Reduce Montana Trail Funding
The U.S. Forest Service has dropped its proposal to reduce funding for trail maintenance in Montana. The agency originally planned to reduce appropriations for Region One, which includes Montana, by 30 percent over the next three years. This included a potential loss of $1 million to Montana’s federal trail budget this year. U.S. Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester criticized Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell last week for failing to prioritize trail maintenance in Montana. The agency proposed revising its formula for funding trail maintenance across the U.S. with an added emphasis on higher population centers. In Region One, there are 28,000 miles
Helena Independent Record: Forest Service restores trails’ funding, Montana’s senators say
The U.S. Forest Service has reportedly reversed plans to deeply cut trail maintenance funding for the region including Montana, according to Montana’s senators. The Forest Service earlier this year announced a change to its allocation formula for trail maintenance. Historically, funding weighted the expense of maintaining remote trails in wilderness areas, which favored the Northern Region including Montana and Idaho. The new formula focused more heavily on population and visitor days, giving more populous areas a funding boost. The reallocation meant a 30 percent cut for the Northern Region phased in over three years, triggering a backlash from regional trail users
Missoulian: Senators tout Montana benefits of coming energy bills
Two bills up for votes in the U.S. Senate next week contain a lot of money for Montana’s power production sector. Montana senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester each said the 2017 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act and the 2016 Energy Policy Modernization Act will bring assistance to both state programs and energy issues that Montana has a stake in. The 2017 appropriations bill would allocate $37.5 billion for the Department of Energy and the Army Corps of Engineers. It cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday with a nearly unanimous approval. Direct Montana projects in the bill include
Daines: Venting and Flaring Rule Stifles Innovation
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today called on the Obama administration to ease red tape regulations stifling Montana’s energy future. During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining hearing on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) proposed rule, entitled “Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resources Conservation,” Daines pressed the Obama administration on burdensome costs to American innovation and that further stifle oil and gas production in Montana while having a miniscule impact on global climate change. “In Montana, oil and gas activity is at the lowest it’s been in decades. It’s clear our federal
Daines Secures Important Provisions for Montana’s Veterans in Senate Appropriations Bill
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today secured important reforms that increase Montana veterans’ access to health care services and ensures that the services and care earned by Montana veterans through their loyal and dedicated service to the nation is rightfully given to them. Daines successfully worked to include provisions for Montana veterans’ long-standing concerns in the FY 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which was marked up and approved by the Senate Committee on Appropriations this afternoon. “Montana’s veterans should have easy access to the resources and medical care they need close to home,” Daines stated. “I’m proud to
Daines Secures Provisions to Improve Montana’s Energy Future
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today secured important provisions that improve the future of Montana energy. “Made-in-Montana energy means good-paying Montana jobs,” Daines stated. “Through provisions I’ve secured, Montana can lead the world in developing energy resources that will power not only our state, but the country and the world.” Daines successfully included many important provisions for Montana energy and water projects in the FY 2017 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill to fund the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) programs and critical infrastructure projects administered by the Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation. The bill was marked up and