Tag: Jobs

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 Moves Forward Investments in Montana Infrastructure

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured important investments in Montana air, rail and surface transportation. The U.S. Senate today overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan FY2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act to fund the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and related agencies in fiscal year 2017.  “Infrastructure is an important part of our everyday lives, from our roads to the skies to our railways,” Daines stated. “I’m proud to secure investments to increase safety and create more good-paying jobs.” Daines’ moved forward the following provisions to

Daines, Zinke Introduce Legislation to Give States & Tribes Say in Energy Development

U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today introduced bicameral legislation to protect Montana coal jobs from the Obama administration’s recent moratorium on new federal coal leases and ensure that states and tribes have a significant voice in any changes to federal coal, oil, gas royalties or leasing policy. The Certainty for States and Tribes Act, S.2938 and H.R. 5259, provides critical flexibility needed to keep Montana mines open, protect thousands of good-paying jobs and provide needed support for government and community services.  “The Obama administration has completely ignored the will and well-being of Montanans and

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

Daines Defends Montana Farmers, Ranchers and Land Owners

U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today worked to defend Montana farmers, ranchers and land owners from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greatly expanded Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. Senate Democrats once again blocked efforts to stop President Obama’s WOTUS rule that is a direct threat to Montana’s agriculture and natural resources industries, jobs and water rights. “It is shameful that once again Senate Democrats would rather defend President Obama’s overreaching policies than stand up for hardworking farmers, ranchers and land owners,” Daines stated. “Montanans who live and work on the land every day know how to best manage our state’s resources

Daines Response to Governor Inslee’s Intention to Sign Legislation Putting Colstrip at Risk

U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after Governor Jay Inslee (D-WA) announced his intentions to sign legislation that paves the way for the eventual shutdown of two coal-fired electricity units at Colstrip. “It’s too bad that Governor Inslee had to cancel his recent trip to Montana,” Daines stated. “If Governor Inslee saw the devastating impact this legislation will have on hardworking Montana families perhaps he would have reconsidered. The reality is, his signature paves the way for the eventual closure of two units of Colstrip putting Montanans out of jobs and raising energy costs for families.” Daines just

Daines’ Statewide Made-in-Montana Energy Tour

Save Montana Energy, Save Montana Jobs U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines this week stopped in ten-cities across Montana on his statewide tour to promote made-in-Montana energy and the good-paying jobs it supports. Daines’ tour included stops in Laurel, Colstrip, Miles City, Baker, Glendive, Sidney, Great Falls, Missoula, Helena and Butte. “Montana is truly an all-of-the-above energy state – we have significant coal and natural gas deposits, oil, hydro, wind, solar and biomass that powers Montana and the country.  And it’s all right here in our back yard– right here in Montana,” Daines stated. “It was a great week speaking with hundreds of Montanans who are coming

Daines Statement on Arch Coal’s Announcement to Suspend Efforts to Obtain Otter Creek Mining Permit

U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in response to Arch Coal, Inc.’s announcement that it will suspend efforts to obtain a mining permit for the Otter Creek coal reserves near Ashland, Montana:  “Arch Coal’s suspension of its pursuit of a permit for the Otter Creek Mine is a devastating loss for Montana’s economy and schools – for jobs, tax revenues and made-in-Montana energy. This decision is an unfortunate repercussion of President Obama’s all-fronts assault on domestic energy production. I’ll continue to do everything I can to support Montana’s coal industry and defend the jobs and livelihoods

Daines Announces Over $500,000 Grant for Miles City Vocational Training Program

U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today announced that Miles Community College (MCC) was awarded an economic development grant for more than $529,000 to stimulate jobs and economic growth in Montana.  The Economic Development Administration grant will go towards required renovations, environmental mitigation and Community Development Block Grant – Economic Development (CDBG-ED) matching funds, on a workforce training facility that will allow MCC to expand its vocational training curriculum to include the Commercial Driving License and Heavy Equipment Operators (CDL/HEO) program. “I commend the efforts of Miles Community College to address the growing local and regional need for skilled heavy equipment