Daines Secures $3 Million for Great Falls Transit District
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Federal Transit Administration will be directing $3 million to the Great Falls Transit District to support transit operating assistance and preventative maintenance during the COVID-19 health emergency. “This critical funding will help support the transportation infrastructure needs of the Great Falls community and ensure our transit system in the city has the resources needed to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak,” Daines said. “I will continue working to support Montana infrastructure as we safely reopen the economy.” Daines fought to secure this funding through the CARES act which passed through
Daines Calls for an Investigation on the Mishandling of Montana Veteran’s Remains by USPS
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter requesting the United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of the Inspector General investigate an incident where the remains of a Montana veteran, Donald Tyler, were lost in the mail. “While his remains were eventually returned to Mrs. Tyler and the USPS will reimburse her for the damaged urn, it is unacceptable that a federal agency misplaced the human remains of an American citizen,” Daines wrote. “I urge you to conduct a full and thorough investigation into this matter to identify the cause and identify any reforms necessary to ensure that a
Daines Statement on Montana School Choice, Religious Freedom SCOTUS Ruling
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision ruling in favor of the three Montana mothers, a major win for Montana families, in the Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue case—one of the most important equal protection and religious freedom cases in recent history. To download the full video, click HERE. “I’m very glad the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to overturn the State of Montana’s discriminatory action and support three Montana mothers who were trying to do what’s best for their children’s education,” Daines said. “Today is a major victory
Daines Announces Over $35 Million in PILT Funds for Montana’s Small and Rural Counties
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) will be directing $35,166,221 in Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funds to Montana’s small and rural counties. “PILT payments provide critical support to Montana’s rural counties,” Daines said. “I’ve worked hard to support the PILT program which provides critical resources for essential services like emergency response efforts and transportation in Montana’s rural counties. Given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this funding is more important than ever.” The federal government directs PILT funds to local governments to offset the loss of property taxes from
Daines Announces Over $35 Million in PILT Funds for Montana’s Small and Rural Counties
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) will be directing $35,166,221 in Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funds to Montana’s small and rural counties. “PILT payments provide critical support to Montana’s rural counties,” Daines said. “I’ve worked hard to support the PILT program which provides critical resources for essential services like emergency response efforts and transportation in Montana’s rural counties. Given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this funding is more important than ever.” The federal government directs PILT funds to local governments to offset the loss of property taxes from
Daines Introduces Bill to Put Pressure on MLB to Save Montana Minor League Teams
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bill that would make Major League Baseball (MLB) teams ineligible to participate or benefit from the Paycheck Protection Program or emergency lending programs within the CARES Act if MLB moves forward with eliminating Montana’s minor league baseball teams. “Montana’s minor league baseball teams are an important part of our community and bring joy to many Montana families during the summer season,” Daines said. “It would be devastating if we lost our local teams. That’s why I’m introducing a bill to help save baseball in Montana and put pressure on MLB to stop shutting
Daines Urges Senate to Pass Bipartisan Bill to Restore St. Mary River Project
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee urging quick consideration and passage of his bipartisan St. Mary’s Reinvestment Act which would help to repair the St. Mary Canal and Conveyance Works system. “The St. Mary Milk River project has been coined the life-line of the Hi-Line, supplying up to 90% of water for the Milk River Basin during a dry year and providing food for over one million people,” Daines wrote. “Reliable water infrastructure is critical for rural economies, recreation, wildlife habitat, and irrigation. I ask for
Daines Introduces Bill to Cut Red Tape to Improve Forest Health, Support Critical Timber Jobs
U.S. SENATE – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a bill that will address the challenges stemming from the Cottonwood decision that created a new standard for re-consultation on Forest Plans when ‘new information’ is made available. The bill will improve the health of forests, advance wildlife and restoration projects, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and support timber jobs. “Even the Obama Administration agreed that the Cottonwood decision was flawed and crippled forest management. This law has tied the hands of our land managers, prevented them from following the best available science in management decisions, and diverted resources for an paperwork exercise yielding
Daines Leads Bipartisan Letter to Amtrak Opposing Job Cuts, Reduced Hours of Service
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a bipartisan letter to the President of Amtrak opposing their plans to terminate one out of every five employees, putting thousands out of work, and reducing the hours of operation of the National Network long distance trains. Daines stressed the need to protect these jobs and the local economy they support on the Hi-Line. “We are deeply concerned by the downsizing plan outlined in your supplemental funding request and believe it to be contrary to public interest. These cuts would not only dramatically reduce the utility of the nation’s passenger rail network,