Tag: Small Business

Daines Fights for Certainty for Montana Ranchers

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the Modernizing Agricultural Transportation Act to provide Montana ranchers with certainty in delaying the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate and reforming Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. “Montana’s ranchers and livestock haulers drive Montana’s economy,” Daines said. “We must find a solution that keeps our roads safe and allows Montana’s agricultural commodities to get to market humanely and on time. I’ll continue pushing to provide our ranchers and livestock haulers with certainty and remove undue burdens from their businesses.” The legislation indefinitely delays the ELD mandate for ag haulers and requires the Department

Daines Supports Montana’s Brewers Efforts

U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today announced two new efforts to promote the growth of small craft breweries, a growing industry in Montana that has a significant impact on the state’s economy.  Daines sponsored, S. 1562, the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, which reduces the excise taxes on beer, wine, and distilled spirits.  Daines recently joined the bipartisan Senate Small Brewers Caucus, established in June 2011, to “provide a forum for members of the Senate and their staffs to discuss the issues important to small brewers while exploring what lawmakers can do to strengthen the growth and role of

Daines Secures Permanent Ban on Government Taxation of the Internet

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today secured a permanent ban on state and local governments from taxing Internet access.   Daines is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act that passed the Senate this afternoon as part of H.R.644, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act. The Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act would permanently extend the current moratorium on taxing Internet access. Montana is one of a few states that would automatically impose a 3.75 percent tax on Internet access if the moratorium is lifted. “The Internet is a critical avenue for Montana businesses to compete in the global marketplace and serves as a

Daines Calls on FCC to Clarify Broadband Definition

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today led five of his Senate colleagues in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to clarify their inconsistent and arbitrary definitions of broadband, which could detrimentally impact rural Montanans. The letter is also signed by Roger Wicker (MS), Roy Blunt (MO), Deb Fischer (NE), Ron Johnson (WI) and Cory Gardner (CO). The senators expressed their concerns that: The FCC’s arbitrary 25/3 Mbps benchmark speed does not reflect what most Americans consider broadband The use of this benchmark discourages providers from offering speeds at or above the benchmark The definition contradicts the broadband definition used in

Daines Applauds American Airlines Expansion to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the announcement that American Airlines will expand their air services to the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and create an additional travel route for Montanans. “This is exciting news for the Bozeman community and the thousands of Montanans who rely on Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport for reliable air travel,” Daines stated. “This new partnership with American Airlines won’t just increase options for Montanans, but will also make it easier for Montanans to access global destinations at lower costs.  It will further open Bozeman’s door to economic opportunities and job creation, unlocking markets for Montana small businesses.”

Daines to Welcome Jason Small, Boilermaker Leader & Northern Cheyenne Tribal Member, as Guest for State of the Union

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that Jason Small, President of Boilermakers Local 11, small business owner and Northern Cheyenne tribal member, will serve as Daines’ guest of honor for the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. tomorrow night. “It’s my honor to welcome Jason Small as my guest for the upcoming State of the Union address,” Daines stated. “As President of Boilermakers Local 11 and an experienced labor advocate, Jason is a proven leader in standing up against the Obama administration’s devastating anti-coal, anti-energy agenda that threatens hardworking Montana families, union workers and tribal members.

Daines Slams FCC Rebuff of Montana Small Businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines slammed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for failing to permanently protect Montana small businesses from burdensome regulations found in the FCC’s 317-page “net neutrality” rules. Earlier today, the FCC rebuffed Daines’ request to provide small Internet service providers with a permanent exemption from their new so-called “enhanced transparency requirements,” which requires Internet service providers to disclose an excess of information about their network performance.  The FCC offered a one-year extension of the exemption, which disregards numerous Congressional requests and the recommendation of the Obama administration’s Small Business Administration to provide a permanent exemption of the

Daines Works to Provide Tax Relief for Montana Farmers, Small Businesses, Families and Tribes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On “Tax Relief Tuesday,” Senator Steve Daines spoke out on the need to pass bipartisan, comprehensive solutions that permanently protect Montana families, famers and ranchers, small businesses and tribes from burdensome and uncertain tax hikes. Daines emphasized his continued commitment to working toward reforms that end Washington’s habit of passing last-minute extensions of critical tax provisions and instead provide the long-term certainty needed to generate new economic investment and innovation in Montana. “Our tax code is nearly five times as long as the Bible, but with none of the good news,” Daines stated. “Congress needs to provide hardworking small businesses,

Daines Continues Fight to Block Internet Sales Tax

Daines, Ayotte, Rubio, Lee urge congressional leaders to oppose so-called Marketplace Fairness Act WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Cyber Monday, Senator Steve Daines urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) to reject any legislation to impose onerous Internet sales tax requirements that would hurt online retailers in Montana and across the nation.   In a letter to Congressional leadership, Daines joined Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mike Lee (R-UT) to underscore the detrimental impact that a federal Internet sales tax would have on Montana small businesses that rely on the Internet to grow their businesses

Daines Encourages Montanans to “Shop Small” on November 28

BOZEMAN, Mont. — In recognition of Small Business Saturday, Senator Steve Daines is encouraging his fellow Montanans to “shop small” and join him in highlighting the important contributions that Montana’s small businesses make to Montana’s economy year round.  Daines is an original cosponsor of a bipartisan resolution to recognize November 28, 2015 as “Small Business Saturday” and to increase awareness of the value of locally owned small businesses. S.Res. 304 unanimously passed the United States Senate. “Small businesses are the backbone of Montana’s economy,” Daines stated. “When small businesses grow, our economy grows. Our country was founded on hard work and entrepreneurship and