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Representative Rosendale Voices Opposition To Vaccine Passports

April 14, 2021 No Comments

The Coronavirus Task Force reports 194 new cases. There have been 1,526 total deaths. There are 997 active cases and 51 active hospitalizations. There have been 4,878 total hospitalizations. 104,108 individuals have recovered from the coronavirus. There have been 106,631 cumulative cases.

Representative Matt Rosendale is one of the co-sponsors of the No Taxpayer Funding for Vaccine Passports Act.

Infrastructure Bill Seeing Criticism After Passing Senate

April 14, 2021 No Comments

A bill that would restrict a specific kind of funding local governments can use for streets parking and other infrastructure projects is drawing criticism from opponents who say it could irreparably change a process cities heavily rely on. James Bradley from the University of Montana Legislative News Service reports that Senate Bill 388 would reduce how much money local governments can get from Tax Increment Financing that comes from increases in property taxes in districts where property values rise because of redevelopment or inflation.

It would change the calculation effectively leaving local governments with less. It also puts a 25-year cap on using TIF funds. It has passed the Senate. Julie Foster is the executive director of the Ravalli County economic development authority which oversees TIF funded districts. She spoke in opposition to the bill in a House committee Tuesday.

 

Yellowstone Valley Gives Announces Dates For Annual Fundraiser

April 14, 2021 No Comments

With Earth Day around the corner and the U.S. having experienced a record number of billion-dollar natural disasters in 2020 the personal-finance website Wallet Hub today released its report on 2021’s greenest states. Montana ranks 28th in terms of 25 key metrics that speak to the current health of the environment and residents’ environmental-friendliness. The data set ranges from green buildings per capita to the share of energy consumption from renewable resources.

The Billings Community Foundation hosts one of its most important fundraisers the Annual Yellowstone Valley Gives. Now in its sixth year it will be held May 6 and 7. Executive Director Lauren Wright.

Aquatic Invasive Species Discovered By Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks

April 14, 2021 No Comments

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks watercraft inspection stations are beginning to open and have already intercepted boats carrying aquatic invasive species. As MTN News reports, Zebra Mussels can coat underwater surfaces like boats and docks causing physical and financial problems. In 2020 inspection stations intercepted a record 35 mussel fouled vessels. A study from a University of Montana research economist calculated a mussel infestation could cost the state as much as $234 million a year.

During Tuesday’s Voices of Montana’s Tow Rope Tour in Lewistown to highlight the close-knit community and its supporters, Dale Pfau was a guest. The Executive Director of the Fergus County Council on Aging talked about how hard the pandemic has been on its seasoned citizens.

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Set To Reopen Pictograph Caves

April 14, 2021 No Comments

The Montana Supreme Court administrator has made a second bid to quash a legislative subpoena issued to the state Department of Administration for her emails sought by GOP lawmakers. The state Supreme Court has already blocked their release but the Legislature through the state’s Attorney General’s Office said it won’t comply with that order. The dispute over the emails has become a separation-of-powers conflict issue.

Pictograph Cave State Park southeast of Billings will open today two months after it was closed by a rockfall that blocked the access road and several trails. Montana Fish Wildlife and Park’s Bob Gibson on last minute efforts to get it ready for the public.

Senator Daines Voices Montana Concerns With IRS

April 14, 2021 No Comments

The Montana Constitution states that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law. Tuesday the Montana Senate endorsed a bill that would ask voters to change that to define person as all members of mankind at any stage of development beginning at the stage of fertilization or conception regardless of age health level of functioning or condition of dependency.

At a U.S. Senate Finance Hearing Tuesday Senator Steve Daines raised issues Montanans are having with delayed refunds and stimulus checks from the IRS specifically but without naming names for confidentiality reasons.