Tag: Economy

Daines Pushes for Permanent Tax Relief for Montana Small Businesses

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation to give small businesses permanent tax relief. Daines is pushing to make the small business tax deduction included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 permanent. Currently, the tax deduction is set to expire at the end of 2025. “I championed the effort to make sure small businesses in Montana are on equal tax footing as corporations. Now, we must make this level playing field permanent to protect and grow Montana jobs,” Daines said. Daines championed the tax deduction for small businesses in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The

Daines Rejects Disastrous Green New Deal

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted against the disastrous Green New Deal. Daines dismissed the radical proposal as nothing more than a vehicle for socialist policies that would destroy Montana’s economy. “The Green New Deal is a radical, top-down idea that disregards the impacts on hard working Montanans and Americans across our country. Plain and simple, it’s a socialist wish list that has nothing to do with conservation or the environment,” Daines said. “This so called trillion plus dollar “deal” would kill Montana jobs, hurt Montana families, and destroy Montana’s economy. We should be working towards an all of the above energy agenda focused

Daines to Lighthizer: Montana Farmers and Ranchers Need Access to New Markets

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today in a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing urged United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer to advance and finalize trade agreements with Japan and China to put Montana farmers and ranchers on a level playing field in the global stage.   Click HERE to download “We’re now behind in Japan, because our other allies have signed agreements…and they are going to receive the benefits of the tariff reductions. My malt barley folks were in talking to me yesterday, and they literally showed me the contracts they’ve lost in Japan,” Daines said. Yesterday, Daines met with Montana barley

Daines Fights for Montana Brewers

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today cosponsored the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act to permanently reduce the excise tax on Montana’s small craft breweries. This bill will make a provision included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, which Daines supported in 2017. “All across Montana, we’re home to breweries that support our barley growers and create high-paying jobs,” Daines said. “I look forward to making these changes that were included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, which will help continue to drive the success of these small businesses across our state and

Senate Western Caucus Applauds Andrew Wheeler’s Confirmation as EPA Administrator

U.S. SENATE – Today, U.S. Senate Western Caucus Chairman Steve Daines (Mont.) and Caucus Members Senators Mike Rounds (S.D.), Jim Inhofe (Okla.), Pat Roberts (Kan.), John Boozman (Ark.), John Barrasso (Wyo.) celebrated the confirmation of Andrew Wheeler as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Having worked with Administrator Wheeler both in Montana and DC, he takes a commonsense approach to solving issues important to Montana and other states,” Daines said. “I look forward to continuing to partner with Administrator Wheeler to protect our environment in Montana, finalize and clean up our superfund sites in Butte, Anaconda, Libby and other

Daines Named ‘Hero of Main Street’

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has received the “Hero of Main Street” award from the National Retail Federation for his support of legislation critical to the retail industry. Daines is part of a bipartisan group honored for their support of a wide range of issues including international trade, infrastructure investment, tax reform and labor issues.  “I’m proud to be recognized for my efforts supporting local Montana business owners that create good-paying jobs,” Daines stated.   “Senator Daines has shown through his support that he cares about retailers big and small, and values the role these businesses play

Daines Makes Important Gains for Montana Farmers and Ranchers

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured key provisions for Montana farmers and ranchers.  “As a steadfast champion of our state’s number one industry, I work everyday to ensure that our farmers and ranchers are being heard and well represented,” Daines stated. “I was able to secure important provisions to sustain funding for initiatives to help farmers and ranchers with loans, help stop diseases that are encroaching our forests and expand employment opportunities for veterans in agriculture.”  “The Montana Grain Growers Association thanks Sen. Daines’ for protecting the ARS Insect Research Unit in Sidney and for his efforts to secure increased funding for the

Daines Introduces Timber Innovation Act

U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today joined a group of bipartisan Senators in support of a bill that would help accelerate research and development of tall wood buildings in the United States.   The Timber Innovation Act will focus on finding innovative ways to use wood in the construction of buildings above 85 feet in height or roughly seven or more stories.   “Innovative technology is creating new markets for Montana’s abundance of wood,” Daines stated. “I’m proud to champion legislation that will create jobs in Montana by encouraging the increased use of wood in tall buildings, which is an exciting opportunity for

Daines Calls on Interior Secretary Jewell to Visit Colstrip, Crow Reservation During Upcoming Travel to Montana

U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today called on Department of Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to tour Colstrip and the Crow Reservation during her upcoming travel to Montana. “Secretary Jewell needs to hear directly from the people impacted by Interior’s actions and come to communities like Colstrip and the Crow Reservation to see what it means for Montana families,” Daines stated. “We’ve already seen layoffs in coal communities across our state as a result of the Obama administration’s war on coal. I encourage Secretary Jewell to meet with folks in Colstrip and the Crow tribe to hear directly from them about the impact of

Montana Receives Almost $900,000 for Local LWCF Projects

U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today announced that Montana will receive $896,436 in fiscal year 2016 stateside funding from the United States Department of Interior (DOI) Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to support conservation and recreation projects in local communities.  “Like so many Montanans, I know firsthand that hunting, fishing and access to public lands is part of our way of life and the LWCF is an important and successful tool that expands access and increase recreational opportunities on our public land,” said Daines, Montana’s only member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “I’m pleased that Montana will