News you can use
News you can use
Sorted by date Results 1956 - 1980 of 3191
Despite the fact that GPS navigation systems are notorious for misdirecting drivers into all manner of wrong locations — like the Swiss driver who had to have his van and himself airlifted by helicopter off a goat trail in the mountains (hand to heart; I swear it’s true) because his GPS said it was the correct route, until he was stuck, when it said, “Oops, turn around and go back” — yes, despite even this, I think those of us who live in the country should use GPS latitude...
We rely on innovation to change our lives but, we tend to think about what it means for phones or the Internet, not farmland. Just as we rely on innovation to help us meet our future needs, we should also look towards innovation to help our agricultural communities keep up with changing demands. Historically, we have prevented issues such as potato blight, increased the nutritional value of rice and other grains, and met consumers’ constantly evolving needs through the use of science and innovation. As we face new c...
My goal as a legislator is to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars while strategically striving to solve societal problems. The Republican-led House of Representatives voting to increase wages for direct care workers who serve developmentally disabled people is such an instance. Montana’s conservative leaders voted on this wage increase in order to solve a problem and save money in public assistance programs in the long run. It’s good policy. There are 3,000 direct care workers in Montana who provide services for 5,800 peo...
The Missouri River Reservoir System is the largest reservoir system in North America. Management of the system is complicated by multiple and diverse interest groups and applicable laws. Interest groups represent irrigation, flood risk, hydropower, recreation, water supply, navigation, fish and wildlife, cultural resources, and commercial sand and gravel dredging. One of the applicable laws is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which provides for the conservation of threatened or endangered species and their habitats. The U....
At present, most things are all hinging on the House Bill 2, which is the budget bill that pays for the operation of the state. The Appropriation Committee is sorting out the costs and income from all the bills that have been presented. There is revenue potential for tax dollars from the tobacco tax, reappraisal changes, and bills giving abatements. The idea now is to balance the budget with the newly available information. Education Committee was presented with a bill that I see as good one. It is an add-on to the loan...
Montana’s two U.S. senators were split on the vote that last Friday confirmed Neil Gorsuch as the next lifetime member of the US Supreme Court. Senior Sen. Jon Tester voted against the successful nominee, citing, among other things, Gorsuch’s propensity to judge cases in a way that empowers corporations over individuals. Specifically, Tester said he believed that Gorsuch supports the massive intrusion of corporations into our election processes, a political disaster that has allowed almost unmeasurable corporate inf...
Montana enjoys the longest hunting and trapping seasons in the West, providing incredible experiences for residents and visitors from around the world. Our coldwater and warmwater fisheries also provide world-class angling opportunities. It should be no surprise that a majority of Montanans hunt, fish, and trap — one of the highest participation rates in the country. And all Montanans know how important hunting, fishing and trapping are to our outdoor economy. Montana’s Constitution protects hunting, fishing and trapping when...
Montana enjoys the longest hunting and trapping seasons in the West, providing incredible experiences for residents and visitors from around the world. Our coldwater and warmwater fisheries also provide world-class angling opportunities. It should be no surprise that a majority of Montanans hunt, fish, and trap – one of the highest participation rates in the country. And all Montanans know how important hunting, fishing and trapping are to our outdoor economy. Montana’s Constitution protects hunting, fishing and trapping when...
Who do you seek for advice when you have money to invest? Do you call up the local farmer, a teacher and a couple of lawyers? Most people use professionals who know markets and can give good advice on trends. I carried the bill of Rep. Virginia Court, D-Billings, House Bill 533, on the floor of the Senate last week. Virginia and I have both served on Legislative Audit Committee and agree that the changes in HB 533 will modernize the Board of Investments since the makeup of the nine members hasn’t changed in forty years. T...
Hill County Voters will be asked in the upcoming election to support the Hill County Weed mill levy. I have served on the Hill County Weed Board for several years and I can tell you this request is of an urgent matter. Hill County has been blessed with a weed coordinator who has received many awards and recognition for his innovative management of our district as well as weed control in our county. Hill County Weed Coordinator Terry Turner has managed to make every dollar count and be stretched as far as humanly possible for...
In an era with an overabundance of women’s undergarments to choose from, I just want white cotton. You know, simple, no-lace, all-natural, plus a bit of elastic around the edges, non-granny-panties, white cotton underwear — those are, my theory holds, no-fail honest unders. The blues ones, though, are exhibitionists and will betray you every time. Herein lies the tale of two blue unders. I have had to wash clothes at the laundromat for about year now — don’t ask, it’s a...
My days are never what I think they are going to be. No, that doesn’t quite express what I’m trying to say. Life is full of surprises. That’s an inane cliché. My tongue can’t find the right words. I’m not in charge. At times I think I am. The joke always turns on me. My life is like my bread baking. I glance at a recipe from time to time. But I know the basic ingredients and about how much flour, yeast, sweetening, salt and butter to mix. Then I might add dry or fresh herbs, potato, egg, chopped onion. It may contain a...
The Havre High Key Club would like to take a moment and share with the Havre community a summary of the past year of service. Our 27 members owe many thanks to a supportive Havre Public School administration and staff that encourage and support our service projects throughout the year. The Key Club also would like to thank our local Kiwanis Club who support our members by sharing in the participation of service projects, fund raisers, and their financial support. It is because of the backing of our administration, local...
One of the most important votes a U.S. senator casts is a vote for a U.S. Supreme Court nominee. An Associate Justice for the Supreme Court is a lifetime appointment. That’s why a decision on who to vote for, who to stand behind, and who to stand with is so important — not only to me but to our children and grandchildren. We want a Supreme Court justice who upholds the rule of law and follows the Constitution. We want a Supreme Court justice who doesn’t legislate from the bench. We want a Supreme Court justice with super...
Almost one year ago to the day, I held an energy summit in Billings with over 600 Montanans talking about the future of Montana energy. Last week, I stood with President Trump, Vice President Pence, Energy Secretary Perry, Interior Secretary Zinke, EPA Administrator Pruitt as well as 20 coal miners to mark the start of a new era in energy production and job creation. Last Tuesday, President Trump took decisive action directing the EPA to suspend, revise, or rescind the EPA Power Plan that is stifling jobs. Then on Wednesday,...
In 1981, North Dakota’s gambling industry experienced a sudden boom. The state began raking in gambling tax revenue, which was pledged to charities and non-profit organizations. And while the gamblers would of course get to keep their winnings, groups across the state and local communities benefited from the sudden increase in revenue. Montana is now in a position to pass similar legislation and bring in needed revenue to our state at a time when we are in desperate need of a boost. House Bill 578 gives establishments the o...
True health care reform will require more than partisan ideologies. Our state and federal leaders need to be reminded that polarized objectives will always fall short of collaborative solutions based on expert recommendations from those who work in the field. Montana health care workers know that increasing the number of individuals and families covered by health insurance is fundamental to addressing today’s health care challenges. Individuals with health insurance are more likely to access the care they need to be h...
This week we learned Montana leads the nation in job growth. Our unemployment rate is nearing historic lows while more Montanans are at work than ever. And we have a stable business climate that allows both our small and large businesses in communities across the state to grow, expand, and create more good paying jobs. In the last two legislative sessions, I worked with Republicans and Democrats to craft bipartisan, fiscally responsible budgets that set the foundation for our thriving economy. And as you can see, the results...
A common joke among horse people goes like this: If you want to keep your kids off drugs, get them hooked on horses, and they’ll never have money for anything else. Sure, we laugh — we laugh as hard as the average layperson about the exaggeration — but we know. Right? We know this is a truism disguised as a joke. You can hear it at the end of our laugh. There’s a catch in the voice, maybe a quiet sigh or a choked-off grunt. It’s the reality hitting home. And, yes, to be cle...
As home to some of our nation’s largest coal reserves, Montana plays a key role in the future of our nation’s energy economy. Unfortunately, Montana coal production has declined significantly in recent years — by as much as a third. This decline took a toll not only on jobs across the state but on essential state tax revenue too. On the campaign trail, President Trump guaranteed he would “bring the coal industry back 100 percent.” Montanans, and people across America who depend on the reliable and affordable energy produced...
It is not domestic, but rather foreign policy, which has consumed the days and nights of most American presidents. Since World War II, our leader has been watchmen on freedom’s wall and although most of those presidents were brilliant, experienced and surrounded by well-seasoned advisors they discovered, each in turn, the great difficulty of guiding our international affairs. As we learned during the past year, President Trump’s foreign policy experience is limited to the building of hotels and golf courses in far-away pla...
From the beginning of the 2017 session, House Republicans committed to supporting essential infrastructure which would not place an undue burden on Montana taxpayers. The Legislature is currently moving more than $1.1 billion worth of infrastructure projects directly to Montana communities. You read that right — billion. This is an important piece of the puzzle that some in Helena don’t want the public to hear about. The Helena crowd has an agenda based on their own self-interest, not the well-being of families across the...
I started the week spending a bit of time and sharing information with some of the Fort Benton junior and senior classes, along with their bus driver and teachers. I understand some students had to travel to D.C. and the rest got to come to Helena. It was a nice group that seemed to enjoy hearing about session and its bill-making processes. We did pass the Marijuana Bill, Senate Bill 333, out of Senate on Friday. This was after two more informational meetings held Monday and Wednesday. In all, both parties came up with 25...
Colstrip’s old coal-fired power units are losing money and that means their days are numbered. Units 1 and 2 are closing by 2022 at the latest and maybe sooner. We need to make sure Colstrip’s operators fulfill their responsibilities in helping the state deal with the economic loss to workers, the community, and the environment. But, we have another problem. Legislation has been proposed that doesn’t just hold Colstrip’s operators accountable — it punishes them. And, as good as retribution may feel, the problem is that it w...
Recently, it was discovered that Rob Quist had tax liens filed against him by the state of Montana and it was turned into political fodder. I am not going to condemn Mr. Quist. Like many working Montanan’s not everything has gone as planned in his life. Sometimes no matter how you plan, the world just doesn’t cooperate. Unexpected bills can happen at any time and expected payments usually are farther away than anticipated. Welcome to the real world, folks. This is where most working Montana families live all the time. It als...
