Archive for Federal Relations/Communications
By CHARLES S. JOHNSON, State Bureau
Some top legislative leaders said Thursday they will file the formal paperwork asking the federal government for Montana’s share of the stimulus money by April 3 - in case Gov. Brian Schweitzer is wary about doing it.
House Speaker Bob Bergren, D-Havre, and Senate President Bob Story, R-Park City, joined by two other leaders, signed a joint resolution at a news conference requesting and accepting the federal money. House Joint Resolution 33 was introduced later in the day to do that. Read More→
By MIKE DENNISON
A House panel has killed one of the session’s major bills that would narrow environmental appeals of development projects, but another such measure is still alive - and likely headed for passage.
The bill that bit the dust Monday in the House Federal Relations, Energy and Telecommunications Committee is Senate Bill 387, sponsored by Sen. Keith Bales, R-Otter. Read More→
HB 565, sponsored by Rep. Tim Furey (D-Milltown) was heard Monday before the House Business and Labor committee. HB 565, titled “Implement Montana Veterans Supplemental Health Insurance Program” will provide supplemental funds for qualified National Guard and U.S. reserve members to cover certain, additional costs associated to the federal TRICARE health insurance program. Read More→
Thursday, Rep. Mike Phillips (D) of Bozeman sponsored HJR 10 in the House Fish Wildlife and Parks committee. HJR 10, titled “Urge support for revenue to support wildlife adaptation to climate change” looks to encourage the United States Congress to establish new revenue streams to facilitate wildlife adaptation to climate change.
According to Rep. Phillips, “if we don’t plan provisions for promoting wildlife adaptation many species will not adapt, but rather will simply go extinct.”
HJR 10 has been tabled in committee and is probably dead.
"I think that it’s going to all work out, with the changes that we have agreed to. It’s not as much (spending for some programs) as I would’ve hoped, but apparently it’s more than other people wanted. As usual, we are trying to find the middle.” 
"[On term limits:] You empower the executive, you empower the lobbyists and that's not good for the system because then we lose what the citizen Legislature brings.” 