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The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday passed an amendment that would let Veterans Affairs doctors discuss and recommend marijuana as a potential medical treatment in states where it is legal. An addition to the fiscal 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies appropriations bill, the bipartisan amendment sponsored by Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, would let VA doctors discuss marijuana as a potential medical treatment, similar to the allowances given civilian physicians in medical marijuana states. The move marks the second time senators have tried to improve access to medical marijuana for veterans who are treated

Billings Logan International Airport will receive almost $2 million for infrastructure improvements, Montana Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester announced Wednesday. The funding is part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program. A news release from the senators’ offices says the money will be spent on extending taxiways and improving the airport’s drainage system. “The AIP grants allow for enhancing safety and continuing the expansion of the Billings airport, and we are grateful to have these needed funds,” said Kevin Ploehn, the city’s director of aviation and transit. Ploehn said the projects being funded include the extension of the

BILLINGS – Billings Logan International Airport will see a considerable boost in funding. Sen. Steve Daines and Sen. Jon Tester announced the airport will received $2 million in funding for infrastructure improvements. The funding is part of 10 Montana community airports set to receive $4,661,676 for critical construction and maintenance projects. Grants will be awarded to airports in Billings, Broadus, Circle, Forsyth, Hardin, Livingston, Malta, Ronan, Shelby and Wolf Point. “Community airports across Montana provide critical transportation services to Montana’s rural communities,” Daines stated. “These grants will ensure that Montana’s smaller airports are able to meet rising ridership demands, ensure safe and reliable service for

An Air National Guard decision to relocate military firefighting systems from North Carolina to Nevada instead of Montana has rankled lawmakers from the Treasure State.  Both Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) have sent letters to Air Force officials asking why the modular airborne fire fighting systems, or MAFFS, were sent to Reno, Nevada, when Montana and surrounding states suffer from more wildfires. “I am incredibly disappointed with this decision as it denies a vital wildland fire suppression mission to the State of Montana, where almost three times as many wildland fires occurred last year compared to Nevada,” Daines,

Sen. Steve Daines announced Tuesday two efforts to promote the growth of small-craft breweries. The Montana Republican sponsored Senate Bill 1562, the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, which reduces the excise taxes on beer, wine and distilled spirits. Also, Daines recently joined the bipartisan Senate Small Brewers Caucus, established in June 2011. It provides a forum for senators and their staffs to discuss issues important to small brewers. He said small-craft breweries are a growing industry in Montana that has a significant impact on the state’s economy. “Montana is home to a vibrant craft brewing industry that supports

GREAT FALLS (AP) – The U.S. Air Force is being criticized for a proposal to relocate military air tanker equipment used to fight wildfires to Nevada instead of Montana after officials from Montana said the planes and the support teams in Montana would be closer to bigger fires in several Western states. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., sent a letter to the Air Force asking why Nevada was chosen for the Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems, which includes equipment that can be installed in C-130 cargo plans to drop retardant on wildfires. The system can be used by governors where the Air

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — The U.S. Air Force is being criticized for a decision to relocate military air tanker equipment used to fight wildfires to Nevada instead of Montana. Montana Sen. Sen. Steve Daines sent a letter to the Air Force asking why Nevada was chosen for the Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems, which includes equipment that can be installed in C-130 cargo plans to drop retardant on wildfires. According to the Great Falls Tribune (http://tinyurl.com/z4yhu7g ), the system can be used by governors where the Air National Guard flight crews operate it. That also includes Wyoming. Colorado uses an