Government News for Montana

Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Awards

2009-06-30T13:18:00.004-06:00

From the Missoulian: "On Monday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the agencies that will receive business development money through its Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.

"Out of an applicant pool of 182, the Missoula-based Montana Community Development Corp. was among the 59 successful organizations."

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund website includes the list of agencies receiving Recovery Act funding. The CDFI Fund Awards booklet indicates that the Montana Community Development Corporation (MCDC) will use the funds "as lending capital to small businesses in their Target Market." More information about MCDC and loans is available on the organization website.

Source: Cohen, B. (30 June 2009). "MCDC receives Treasury boost." Missoulian. B1.

Montanans in Action Report

2009-06-30T13:13:00.003-06:00

From the Great Falls Tribune: "Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Dennis Unsworth has found "substantial evidence" that the political action group behind a trio of ballot initiatives in 2006 violated Montana's campaign finance reporting and disclosure laws.

"That finding is part of a 105-page report detailing the results of Unsworth's three-year investigation into who financed the activities of Lewistown-based Montanans in Action."

The new report, "Motl v. Yes CI-97, Yes CI-98, Yes I-154, Montanans In Action," has been posted on the website of the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices.

Source: Adams, J.S. (30 June 2009). "Political practices probe finds group broke campaign laws." Great Falls Tribune.

American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009

2009-06-29T13:39:00.003-06:00

From the Washington Post: "The House narrowly passed an ambitious climate bill yesterday that would establish national limits on greenhouse gases, create a complex trading system for emission permits and provide incentives to alter how individuals and corporations use energy."

H.R.2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, passed the House 219-212 in roll call vote 477. THOMAS provides a summary of the bill, the bill text, and related information, such as House Report 111-137.

There are several related sources of information. The President's weekly address focused on this bill. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides an overview of cap and trade programs. In particular, the EPA produced an analysis of H.R. 2454. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) produced several cost estimates and letters on this bill:

The Estimated Costs to Households From the Cap-and-Trade Provisions of H.R. 2454

Responses to Questions About the Cost of a Cap-and-Trade Program

H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009

Preliminary Information on the Budgetary Impact of Distributing Carbon Emission Allowances

Source: Mufson, S., Fahrenthold, D.A., and Kane, P. (27 June 2009). "In Close Vote, House Passes Climate Bill: Measure Aims to Change Energy Use." Washington Post.

Safford Unified School District #1 v. Redding

2009-06-26T18:00:00.002-06:00

From the Washington Post: "Arizona school officials violated the constitutional rights of a 13-year-old girl when they strip-searched her on the suspicion she might be hiding ibuprofen in her underwear, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday. The decision put school districts on notice that such searches are "categorically distinct" from other efforts to combat illegal drugs."

Safford Unified School District #1 v. Redding
Docket no. 08-479

Questions presented

Supreme Court opinion

Transcript of oral arguments

Merits briefs

Source: Barnes, R. (26 June 2009). "Student Strip Search Illegal: School Violated Teen Girl's Rights, Supreme Court Rules." Washington Post.

Underpayments to Consumers by the Health Insurance Industry

2009-06-26T17:23:00.003-06:00

From the Washington Post: "Health insurers have forced consumers to pay billions of dollars in medical bills that the insurers themselves should have paid, according to a report released yesterday by the staff of the Senate Commerce Committee."

The Senate Commerce Committee investigative staff report, "Underpayments to Consumers by the Health Insurance Industry," has been posted on the committee website.

The report is related to a recent hearing held by the committee, "Consumer Choices and Transparency in the Health Insurance Industry." An archived webcast and prepared statements are available on the hearing web page.

Source: Hilzenrath, D.S. (25 June 2009). "Senate Panel Hears of Health Insurers' Wrongs: Ex-Insider Testifies to 'Fear Tactics'." Washington Post.

Montana Reinvestment Act

2009-06-26T17:12:00.003-06:00

From the Missoulian: "Gov. Brian Schweitzer on Wednesday unveiled a Web site he said will detail how federal economic-stimulus funds are being spent in Montana, but so far the site mostly just lists projects and general areas where the nearly $2 billion is allocated."

Thew new Montana Reinvestment Act website provides information on project categories, background information, and details by program. A press release notes highlights of the new website.

Source: Dennison, M. (25 June 2009). "Schweitzer unveils Web site listing stimulus spending." Missoulian. B8.

Libby Public Health Emergency

2009-06-23T14:38:00.002-06:00

From the Missoulian: "Millions more in federal money is expected for Libby area asbestos cleanup and medical care, with the announcement Wednesday of an emergency health declaration.

"It is the first time such a declaration has been made in the United States, and identifies the town as a top financial priority for environmental remediation and patient treatment."

The Department of Health and Human Services issued a press release summarizing the public health emergency declaration. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website offers greater detail about the Libby Public Health Emergency finding. Senator Baucus also released a statement about the declaration.

Source: Jamison, M. (18 June 2009). "Health emergency declared in Libby - More aid expected after 'historic' announcement." Missoulian. A1.

Employee Free Choice Act

2009-06-23T14:17:00.003-06:00

From the Missoulian: "Montana's two Democratic U.S. senators aren't saying how they will vote on the Employee Free Choice Act, while the state's Republican congressman says he will continue to oppose it.

"Unions say the bill will help restore the American middle class by fixing the current organizing law that makes it hard for workers to organize unions because of employer interference."

THOMAS provides information on and the text of two versions of the Employee Free Choice Act of 2009: H.R. 1409 and S. 560. There is also a recent Congressional Research Service analysis of Employee Free Choice Act legislation.

Source: Johnson, C.S. (22 June 2009). "Baucus, Tester haven't staked out position on Employee Free Choice Act." Missoulian. A1.

Financial Regulatory Reform

2009-06-19T17:21:00.003-06:00

From the Washington Post: "The Federal Reserve, which has been at the center of the government rescue of the financial system, is now on the hot seat, with a debate on Capitol Hill emerging over its responsibility for the crisis and its proper role in preventing such events in the future."

The White House website has a transcript and summary of the President's remarks on the plan to overhaul the financial regulatory system. Fact sheets on specific facets of the plan are also available:

Requiring Strong Supervision And Appropriate Regulation Of All Financial Firms

Strengthening Regulation Of Core Markets And Market Infrastructure

Strengthening Consumer Protection

Providing The Government With Tools To Effectively Manage Failing Institutions

Improving International Regulatory Standards And Cooperation

The FinancialStability.gov website has the full "Financial Regulatory Reform" white paper. The website also offers an executive summary of the plan, statements on the plan by Secretary Geithner, and other supporting statements.

Sources: Appelbaum, B. (18 June 2009). "Obama Defends Financial Overhaul: Fault Lines Emerge as Industry Groups Blast Plan to Create Consumer Agency." Washington Post.
Irwin, N., and Appelbaum, B. (19 June 2009). "Lawmakers Balk As Administration Tries to Redefine Central Bank's Role."

Cost of Health Reform

2009-06-16T14:21:00.003-06:00

From the New York Times: "President Obama went before a convention of receptive but wary doctors on Monday to make the economic case for a health care overhaul, both for the nation and for the physicians' own bottom lines."

Excerpts, video, and a full transcript of the President's speech to the American medical Association have been posted to the White House website. The HealthReform.gov website includes more information about the administration's plan.

Recently, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has produced several analyses of health reform proposals:

Health Care Reform and the Federal Budget

Response to Questions About Health Care Industry Stakeholders' Proposals

Preliminary Analysis of Major Provisions Related to Health Insurance Coverage Under the Affordable Health Choices Act
CBO has also compiled cost estimates and related to health issues and policy.

Source: Pear, R., and Calmes, J. (15 June 2009). "Cost Concerns as Obama Pushes Health Issue." New York Times.

Stimulus Funds for Forest Roads

2009-06-16T13:40:00.003-06:00

From the Missoulian: "Road crews soon will be busy along with foresters in western Montana's national forests, thanks to some recent federal stimulus allocations.

"Statewide, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will deliver $31.4 million in roadwork on national forests. Most of that takes place in 12 western counties, including Missoula and Ravalli."

The Lolo and Bitterroot National Forests have information on stimulus funds that will be used in the forests. The Lolo National Forest fact sheet points individuals interested in available contracts to two sources: FedBizOpps and the Western Montana Acquisition Zone website.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation also has stimulus funds available and is soliciting proposals for forest restoration and fuels reduction work around the state. The solicitation details are posted online.

Sources: Chaney, R. (15 June 2009). "Stimulus funds set aside for forest roadwork." Missoulian. A1.
Backus, P. (15 June 2009). "Roadwork slated for Rye Creek Road in Bitterroot National Forest." Missoulian. A1.

Stimulus Funding for the Forest Service

2009-06-02T14:47:00.003-06:00

From the Missoulian: "The correct total for Forest Service projects in Montana is $57 million, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Chris Mather. That's more than double the original allocation for 2009 work programs in Montana."

The Forest Service website has a PDF with detailed information about projects funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) money. The document lists projects by state.

Contracting opportunities funded by the stimulus bills are listed on the FedBizOpps website. The site allows you to search for open opportunities and for award notices. From those links you can "refine results" to limit by a particular keyword or agency.

Source: Chaney, R. (1 June 2009). "Following forest stimulus funds proves difficult." Missoulian.

Baxter v. State

2009-06-02T14:36:00.001-06:00

From the Missoulian: "The assisted-suicide case before the Montana Supreme Court is drawing a barrage of briefs from legislators, physicians and groups over an issue that sows controversy."

The Montana Supreme Court website has posted documents in the Baxter v. State case (DA 09-0051). This includes the appellant brief and numerous amicus curiae briefs.

Source: Deines, K. (2 June 2009). "Assisted-suicide case spawns flurry of briefs before high court." Missoulian. B1.

Census 2010

2009-06-02T14:06:00.002-06:00

From the Missoulian: "Since April 20, enumerators or 'listers' have spread throughout Montana and the U.S. They're paid $11 an hour plus mileage to map on a global positioning system grid every place a person lives or could live. That will smooth the path for next year's once-a-decade census."

The Census Bureau website has information on the upcoming 2010 Census. The site addresses who Census workers are, how the survey is conducted, and what to expect with the Census (which should help to answer questions about whether or not people are legitimate Census workers).

Source: Briggeman, K. (2 June 2009). "In Swan, it's the Census badge that counts: Residents alarmed by bureau workers without ID." Missoulian. A1.

Sotomayor Nomination

2009-06-02T13:27:00.002-06:00

From the Washington Post: "On the day after Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court, both sides in the fight over her confirmation moved quickly to try to define the woman who may become the court's first Hispanic justice."

The White House website has information on Judge Sotomayor's nomination, including information on her background.

The Law Library of Congress has assembled a terrific resource with information on Judge Sotomayor. It includes links to speeches and articles, transcripts from her 1992 and 1998 confirmation hearings, and directions on how to retrieve some of the her Second Circuit opinions (use Sotomayor as a search term).

Source: Barnes, R. (28 May 2009). "Battle Lines Are Drawn On Sotomayor Nomination: Ideology, Abortion and Remarks on Ethnicity Come to Fore." Washington Post.

2009 Social Security Report

2009-05-13T11:31:00.002-06:00

From the Social Security Administration (SSA) press release: "The Social Security Board of Trustees today released its annual report on the financial health of the Social Security Trust Funds. The Trustees project that program costs will exceed tax revenues in 2016, one year sooner than projected in last year's report. The combined assets of the Old-Age and Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds will be exhausted in 2037, four years sooner than projected last year. The worsening of the long-range outlook for the Social Security program is due primarily to the recent economic downturn and faster reductions in mortality than previously assumed."

The most recent report of the Social Security Board of Trustees, "The 2009 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds," is available on the SSA website.

Source: Ohlemacher, S., AP (13 May 2009). "Social Security, Medicare dwindling in recession." Missoulian. A1.

Economic Stress Test Results

2009-05-08T13:29:00.004-06:00

From the New York Times: "After subjecting the nation's biggest banks to the most public scrutiny in decades, federal regulators ordered 10 of them on Thursday to raise a total of $75 billion in extra capital and gave the rest a clean bill of health."

The Federal Reserve website has details on the latest "stress test." The report, "The Supervisory Capital Assessment Program: Overview of Results," has details on the test and on which banks need further assistance.

Source: Andrews, E.L. (7 May 2009). "Ailing Banks Need $75 Billion, U.S. Says." New York Times.

Travelers' Rest State Park Holt Building

2009-05-08T13:19:00.004-06:00

From the Missoulian: "Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment in the next few days on a proposal to lease a building to serve as a visitor center and museum at Travelers' Rest State park near Lolo."

The Travelers' Rest State Park Holt Building Lease Environmental Assessment is available on the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website.

Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m., May 12, 2009, and can be mailed to:
Travelers' Rest State Park
Holt Building Lease
3201 Spurgin Road
Missoula, MT 59804
Or email comments to: lbastian@mt.gov.

Source: Briggeman, K. (8 May 2009). "Travelers' rest: FWP seeks comment on building proposal." Missoulian. B3.

Rocky Mountain Labs Plan Approved

2009-05-08T13:11:00.002-06:00

From the National Institutes of Health (NIH) press release: "The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has approved a 20-year Master Plan to guide the development of its scientific research campus at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton. The approval comes after three years of planning, consideration of public input and the completion of an Environmental Impact Statement."

The Rocky Mountain Labs master plan information, environmental impact statement, and final record of decision are all available on the Labs website. The information was also published in the May 5, 2009, edition of the Federal Register.

Source: Jannotta, S., Ravalli Republic (8 May 2009). "Rocky Mountain Labs master plan approved." Missoulian. B1.

Terminations, Reductions and Savings Report

2009-05-07T14:44:00.003-06:00

From the Washington Post: "President Obama has said for weeks that his staff is scouring the federal budget, 'line by line,' for savings. Today, they will release the results: a plan to trim 121 programs by $17 billion, a tiny fraction of next year's $3.4 trillion budget."

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has information about the reductions to the budget. The Terminations, Reductions and Savings report has specific details on programs recommended for termination or reduction.

Source: Montgomery, L., and Goldstein, A. (7 May 2009). "Obama's Budget Knife Yields Modest Trims: Plan Likely to Face Tough Fight on the Hill." Washington Post.

Fee Repeal and Expanded Access Act of 2009

2009-05-05T13:21:00.003-06:00

From the Missoulian: "One throwback to the 1960s that outdoors enthusiasts might appreciate is an old way of managing U.S. Forest Service trailheads and campsites.

"That's the era Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., looked to in his effort to replace the 2004 Federal Lands Recreational Enhancement Act, often called the Recreational Access Tax or RAT fee.

"His Senate Bill 868 would repeal the fee system and replace it with a 1965 policy limiting charges on public lands."

You can read the bill text and track the progress of Senate Bill 868, the Fee Repeal and Expanded Access Act of 2009, through THOMAS.

The 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act was passed as Title VIII of the 2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Source: Chaney, R. (5 May 2009). "Baucus pushing repeal of rec fees." Missoulian. A1.

Montana State Highway Patrol Annual Report

2009-05-05T13:10:00.003-06:00

From the Missoulian: "A Montana Highway Patrol report shows Flathead County had the state's deadliest roads in 2008."

The Montana State Highway Patrol Annual Report for 2008 has information on highway patrol activity, annual traffic rates, seat belt usage rates, and collisions and fatalities.

Source: Associated Press (4 May 2009). "Flathead has deadliest roads in state." Missoulian. B3.

Rumple Report

2009-04-30T07:18:00.003-06:00

From the Missoulian: "A government memorandum identifying public health concerns about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's asbestos cleanup in Libby has been released a week after a group sued for disclosure, citing fruitless attempts to obtain the document through the Freedom of Information Act."

The "Rumple Report" has been posted on the EPA Office of Inspector General website.

Source: Gallagher, S. (30 April 2009). "Report outlining Libby concerns released." Missoulian. A9.

State Budget Update

2009-04-28T14:39:00.003-06:00

From the Missoulian: "Montana's 2009 Legislature is close to adjourning, as the House and Senate this Tuesday morning gave their preliminary approval to the major budget bills and a key property-tax measure."

The Montana State Legislature website provides the latest information on the status of House Bill 2. The latest information (at this writing) is that the House passed the conference version of the bill 56-44, and the Senate passed the bill 27-23.

The LAWS database also provides updates on House Bill 645, Implement receipt of and appropriate federal stimulus and recovery funds. As of this writing, the bill passed 51-49 in the House and 34-16 in the Senate.

Source: Dennison, M. (28 April 2009). "2009 Legislature nears adjournment." Missoulian.

Stimulus Funds for Fish & Wildlife Service

2009-04-28T14:21:00.004-06:00

From the Missoulian: "The stimulus funds to be distributed through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are marked for use in 770 building improvement and habitat restoration projects across the United States.

"Refuges and hatcheries in Montana will receive about $3 million of the Interior Department's stimulus spending."

The Department of the Interior website has information about Recovery Act funding for the Fish and Wildlife Service. This includes a press release and a detailed list of projects funded by state.

Source: Deines, K., AP (27 April 2009). "State refuges, hatcheries to receive $3 million in stimulus funds." Missoulian. A1.