Daines, Zinke Urge Governor Bullock to Block the Relocation of Syrian Refugees to Montana
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Montana Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke today urged Montana Governor Steve Bullock to block any efforts from the federal government to move Syrian refugees to Montana until exhaustive and comprehensive background checks can be completed. In a letter to Bullock, Daines and Zinke stressed the importance of prioritizing Montanans’ safety and security by refusing Syrian refugees until there is 100 percent confidence in these refugees’ backgrounds. At present, the state of Montana has not disallowed Syrian refugees from settling in Montana. “We write to urge you to object to any efforts by the federal government to place
Tester, Daines urge Senate to permanently reauthorize and fully fund LWCF
Senators: LWCF is “one of the country’s best conservation programs” (U.S. Senate) – Montana Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are urging Senate leaders to permanently reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to protect more of Montana’s best outdoor places. LWCF, which expired October 1, funds conservation projects in all 50 states using offshore oil and gas receipts. Tester and Daines, in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), called LWCF “one of the country’s best conservation programs,” pointing out that the fund has supported over 41,000 state and
Great Falls Tribune: New study of EPA rules shows dire results, sparks debate
HELENA — The Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan could mean the loss of thousands of jobs, millions in income and cause a population decline, bringing about “the most significant economic event to occur in Montana in more than 30 years,” according to a study released Wednesday that was challenged by several audience members. The report commissioned by NorthWestern Energy and the Montana Chamber of Commerce was done by the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research. Patrick Barkey, BBER director, presented his findings at the Red Lion Colonial Inn while on one side of the room people
MTN News: Heart Butte and Lodge Grass schools get construction grants
GREAT FALLS – A $2.5 million grant will will be used to help fix what are described as “emergency health and safety conditions” in two Montana tribal schools. On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) announced that Lodge Grass Elementary School District and Heart Butte School District will receive the money in construction grants for fiscal year 2016. It’s estimated that more than 350 students will benefit from the projects. Heart Butte will receive $1.7 million and contribute just over $1 million to fund the cost of the project, which includes replacing deteriorated and leaking roofs to both the high school and elementary portion of
Great Falls Tribune: Daines announces $2.5M for tribal schools
HELENA — Sen. Steve Daines announced Wednesday that Lodge Grass Elementary and Heart Butte school districts were awarded nearly $2.5 million in construction grants for fiscal year 2016 to be used for emergency health and safety conditions in school facilities. They are among seven educational agencies nationwide to receive Impact Aid Discretionary Construction Grants. “This additional support will help students on the Blackfeet and Crow reservations to have the resources they need to learn,” Daines, R-Mont., said in a news release. Heart Butte School District will receive $1,764,973 to replace deteriorated and leaking roofs of the high school and elementary
Daines’ Bill to Protect Consumers Passes Senate Commerce Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today hailed the bipartisan passage of his legislation to protect and expand protections for consumers. The bipartisan Consumer Review Freedom Act unanimously passed the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee this morning. The bill would prohibit the use of non-disparagement clauses referred to as “gag clauses,” which are often found in little-read online user agreements. “Feedback from consumers provides valuable insights not only for companies but for other consumers looking for honest firsthand information,” Daines stated. “We should encourage competition and let consumers’ voices be heard on a free and open Internet. I’m pleased to see this commonsense legislation
Daines Announces $2.5 Million for Montana Tribal Schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that Lodge Grass Elementary School District and Heart Butte School District were awarded nearly $2.5 million in construction grants for FY2016. Heart Butte and Lodge Grass Elementary school districts are among seven educational agencies nationwide to receive Impact Aid Discretionary Construction Grants this year. The funding will be used to address emergency health and safety conditions in school facilities. “These grants will provide Heart Butte and Lodge Grass schools with additional resources to ensure the safety of their students and to better serve their communities,” Daines stated. “This additional support will help students on the
Daines: Coal Keeps the Lights On
“The Obama administration’s war on energy isn’t just a war on coal – it’s a war on American jobs, American families and our national security.” WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of today’s vote to fully nullify President Obama’s so-called “Clean Power Plan,” Senator Steve Daines took to the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to join him in standing up for American energy independence. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Later tonight, the Senate is expected to pass two bipartisan resolutions disapproving of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan regulations on new and existing power sources. The
Washington Examiner: Senators burning for big fixes to wildfire problems
After a wildfire season that burned up 9.4 million acres and cost taxpayers about $4.2 billion, lawmakers want a comprehensive solution to the budget and management problems that are fanning the fires. In the third hearing about the 2015 wildfire season held by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said her state and other western states cannot endure many more fire seasons like 2015, which took the lives of three firefighters in Washington state. At one point this year, 200 fires were burning in Murkowski’s home state. Alaska accounted for 54 percent of the land