In The News

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK –            Senator Steve Daines is joining Governor Steve Bullock in pressing the federal government to clear the use of Montana’s specially-equipped helicopters to fight fires on federal lands. Friday, Governor Bullock sent a strongly worded letter to United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, calling on his to “rescind an unnecessary and artificial restriction” on the use of the state’s modified UH-1H helicopters on fires burning on federal lands around Montana. The state’s helicopters have been changed so they can haul larger loads of water to drop on fires. Bullock complains they’ve been working well for

Senator Steve Daines commended news that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has revised its rules regarding veterans’ ability to bring service animals to VA facilities. Veterans in some states, including Montana, have had difficulty bringing their animals into VA medical facilities. The VA’s new rule will put clear guidance in place that allows the presence of service animals at VA facilities across the United States. “While there is still work to be done, today’s announcement is a step in the right direction. I’m glad the VA has responded to my calls to ensure our veterans can have their service

Montana’s U.S. Sen. Steve Daines and Congressman Ryan Zinke met with a high-tech company Wednesday morning to discuss factors leading to economic growth in Bozeman. The Republican lawmakers received a guided tour of FLIR Systems from Kevin Tucker, vice president of surveillance, and Randy Equall, vice president of laser systems and scientific materials. The company was founded as Scientific Materials in 1989 by Ralph Hutcheson. Hutcheson grew the synthetic ruby crystals used in the world’s first laser. Scientific Materials was bought by the Oregon-basd FLIR Systems in 2005, a company that specializes in thermal imaging cameras. Today, FLIR has about

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) is planning to hold a roundtable discussion on the future of the nation’s aviation spending, as Congress approaches a deadline for renewing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding. The FAA bill, which includes funding for air traffic controllers, is scheduled to expire on Sept. 30. Daines is scheduled to meet with “aviation stakeholders” on Thursday to discuss the upcoming deadline at Montana’s Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. ADVERTISEMENT “” frameborder=”0″ width=”300″ name=”google_ads_iframe_1107919/Content_300x250_Transportation_asynch_0″ marginwidth=”0″ scrolling=”no”> Daines office said in a statement that “discussion will include the upcoming Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization and its impact on Montana’s aviation

A big day for a Vietnam veteran, 44 years after he was injured in the Au Shaw Valley. Appreciation and perseverance brought the Purple Heart Award to a former soldier from Billings. Corporal Rick Ketterling received four awards in front of the Montana Purple Heart Memorial on Thursday afternoon. In February 1971, Ketterling was with the 2nd Battalion of the 94th Artillery Regiment. Ketterling was burned and injured when a Howitzer malfunctioned and exploded, killing one of his fellow soldiers. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines presented Ketterling with the Purple Heart with his family and friends on hand to celebrate. “Kind

Glacier Park International Airport will receive nearly $4 million for critical construction and maintenance project, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. announced Friday. The $3,986,340 from the Federal Aviation Administration will go toward a full-scale reconstruction of the 3,500-foot cross runway and upgrades to the runway’s lighting system. “The construction won’t have any impact on commercial flights,” Airport Director Cindi Martin said. “We’ll begin work on Tuesday and it should be wrapped up by the end of October.” Knife River won the construction bid for the project. The smaller, secondary runway to undergo construction is used for smaller aircraft. The grant

HELENA – The new strict carbon emission regulations announced by President Obama are getting cold reviews from Montana coal interests, but praise from some farming, alternative energy and environmental groups. The final Environmental Protection Agency rule calls for the states to reduce carbon emissions from their power plants by nealy one-third (32 percent) by 2030 from their 2005 levels. Gov. Steve Bullock (D-Montana) last fall touted a Montana Department of Environmental Quality report saying the state could meet future requirements without a shutdown of the state’s coal-fired plants, using alternative energy sources and possibly carbon sequestration, among other things, to

Senator Steve Daines today underscored the importance of enhancing America’s cybersecurity infrastructure while striking the right balance between protecting Americans from borderless cyber criminals and protecting Americans’ privacy. “We must ensure that we have robust and transparent debate about cyber protections and what reforms must be implemented to protect Americans’ civil liberties.”

Montana’s Indian tribes, which until recently thought the Affordable Care Act would pass them by, could face fines exceeding $1 million for not offering insurance to employees. Beginning in 2016, businesses with 50 or more full-time workers will have to offer at least a minimum amount of health insurance to employees. Those who don’t comply face tax penalties, and that includes tribal governments. The requirement has been a surprise to tribes, said George Heavy Runner, Blackfeet Insurance Services health and wellness coordinator. As individuals, American Indians have the option of choosing not to follow Affordable Care Act rules. Many assumed