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Hello Friends!

It may be a little early, but it feels like spring has arrived- at least in parts of the Big Sky. It might take a few more weeks for warmer weather to make an appearance everywhere, but it’s always worth the wait. Whether you are getting out your snow shovel once again, or searching for your fishing pole, one thing is certain; it’s never been a better time to live in Montana.

We’ve accomplished a lot in the last few weeks. I’d say 2008 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for all Montanans. Our economy has stayed strong, even in these uncertain times, and more and more businesses with good paying jobs are popping up all over the place.

I’m working everyday to do what’s right for Montana, and I’d love to hear from you. So please, drop me a line whether it’s an idea, a gripe, or just to say hello.

 

  • Cutting Taxes For Middle Class Montanans
  • Cutting Taxes For Homeowners
  • Strengthening Our Economy, from Wall Street to Main Street
  • Fixing The Estate Tax
  • Protecting Montana’s Outdoor Heritage
  • Keeping Tribal Communities Healthy
  • My Travels Around Montana

Cutting Taxes For Middle Class Montanans

My top priority is to create good-paying jobs and boost Montana’s economy.  That’s why I fought so hard to make sure my middle class tax cut package passed the Senate last month.  My tax cut package will give hard-working families a real boost.  The Senate overwhelmingly recognized that these tax cuts are the shot in the arm that many Montanan and American families need, and my package passed by a vote of 99 to 1. 

The tax cuts were included in the Senate’s fiscal year 2009 Budget Resolution, which is the spending blueprint Congress uses for the next five years. My measure would extend some of the tax cuts that passed Congress in 2001. As a lead author of the 2001 tax cut, I want to ensure middle-income Montanans aren’t hit with a tax increase if the provisions are allowed to expire in 2010.

My Tax Cut Measure Would Provide:

  • permanent marriage penalty tax relief
  • permanent extension of the increased refundable child tax credit, with added eligibility for lower-income families
  • permanent extension of the increased adoption tax credit
  • permanent extension of the tax credit for child care expenses
  • permanent extension of the 10 percent income tax bracket
  • permanent extension of 2009 estate tax law, including rate and exemption level
  • relief from property taxes

The House is working on its version of the budget so once the two pieces of legislation are completed, they will go to a joint House-Senate Committee to work out differences between the two bills, before it is sent to the President’s desk. Rest assured, I’ll fight like the dickens to make sure they do what’s right for middle class tax payers in Montana and everywhere else.

Cutting Taxes For Homeowners

Many Americans are struggling right now to keep their homes. The housing crisis is not as acute in Montana as in other parts of the country, but I’m still doing everything I can as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee to help people keep paying their mortgages.

The Senate is currently working on a housing bill that is aimed to help homeowners, homebuyers and homebuilders. In the housing legislation, I’ve added a measure that would cut taxes for all property owners. The measure includes a $500 deduction for people who file individually and a $1000 deduction for couples that file jointly.

These tax cuts will help make sure that the money gets in the hands of hard-working Montanans and Americans who will spend it.  I’m working to do what’s right for Montana property owners, to create good-paying jobs and to boost our state’s economy. We need to get and keep the housing market stable and this measure will help make that possible.

Strengthening Our Economy, from Wall Street to Main Street

I know folks are worried about the economy; they are worried about their investments and their personal financial future.  These days, events on Wall Street- like the sale of Bear Stearns- are very relevant to the folks on Main Street Montana. 

As the government keeps Wall Street afloat, those folks on Main Street can’t be forgotten. That’s why as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I’m looking into the sale of Bear Stearns to JP Morgan. We have a responsibility to get all the facts behind the government decision to lend $30 billion in taxpayer dollars to fund the Bear Stearns deal, and I want to make sure we monitor the changing terms of the sale. I’m doing what’s right for the American people, looking out for their taxpayer dollars.

Congress has to respond when the economic news gets worse. My colleagues and I are working to make sure our economy stays strong in these uncertain times.  I’m committed to bringing good jobs to Montana; and keeping Big Sky country the best state to live, work and raise a family.

Fixing the Estate Tax

I support repealing the estate tax because of the threat that it poses to Montana’s ranchers, farmers, and small businesses. However, there are Republicans and Democrats that feel strongly about keeping the estate tax in place.  This leaves us short of the votes needed to repeal the estate tax.  In the absence of votes to repeal the estate tax, we have to come up with a viable solution that will pass Congress, and give real relief to Montanans.

That’s why, as Chairman of the Committee on Finance, I’ve begun holding hearings on the estate tax. We need to find solutions; right now, that will lighten the tax burdens on small businesses. I know that accomplishing an estate tax overhaul this year won’t be easy.  But that doesn’t mean we won’t get it done.  I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and work with Senators to get a reform proposal that will benefit Montana.

Protecting Montana’s Outdoor Heritage

I made it really clear to BP and to Canadian officials last year that development that would affect Flathead Lake was non-negotiable. Period. And they listened.

British Petroleum is scrapping its plans for a massive coal-bed methane project on the North Fork Flathead River, which runs into Flathead Lake.  It’s a big step in the right direction. This project could have had devastating impacts to Montana’s water quality, fish and wildlife and jobs from tourism.  We have a long way to go before the Flathead and all of Montana’s interests are truly safe from these threats, but this is great news.

Right now BP is still moving forward with a coal-bed methane development in the Elk River Valley, which drains into Montana’s Lake Koocanusa. In addition Cline Mining Corporation is still looking into efforts to develop a coal mine in the region.

We're fighting the coal mine just as much as we're fighting coal-bed methane. We’ve won an important battle, but we haven’t won the war yet.

Managing the Upper Yellowstone

The Yellowstone River is a vital part of Montana’s economy and heritage.  Thousands of Montanans rely on the river to irrigate their fields and provide clean drinking water. The river also provides world class fishing and sustains good paying jobs and a multimillion dollar tourism industry.  It is a source of great pride and economic strength for all Montana, and we need to do everything we can to protect it so we can make sure future generations get a chance to experience it and fish along its banks.

The Special Area management Plan (SAMP) for the Upper Yellowstone River was authorized in 1999.  Nine years later the people of Montana are still awaiting its completion. The Corps’ foot dragging and excuses must end. Earlier this week I wrote a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers telling them it’s time to do what’s right for the Paradise Valley and complete the Special Area Management Plan for the upper Yellowstone River. I’ve insisted that the Army Corps of Engineers draw up a management plan in the next 30 days.  The management plan must include any necessary shifts in financial and human resources that may be necessary to complete the final environmental assessment and Special Area Management Plan by the end of fiscal year 2008. 

Cleaning Up Libby

Last month W.R. Grace announced a $250 million settlement to pay for the devastation the company’s vermiculite mine has caused in Libby.  More money for Libby is always a good step. But, as always, the devil is in the details. W.R. Grace knowingly poisoned the people of Libby and devastated an entire town. $250 million is a drop in the bucket compared to the destruction and pain our neighbors in Libby have been through. EPA has spent approximately $120 million on Libby already and they still can’t tell us how clean is clean. I’ve been fighting for folks in Libby for a long time and I want to make sure they get the health care they need and their town is cleaned up once and for all.

It shouldn’t take a vermiculite leak at an Elementary school to refocus the EPA’s attention on the ongoing health emergency going on in Libby. But that’s exactly what happened.  Students at Asa Wood Elementary School discovered, and were exposed to, this highly dangerous asbestos leak during recess. This is an outrage.

The EPA should have declared Libby a public health emergency years ago. Earlier this week I asked Steve Johnson, the head of the EPA, in no uncertain terms to fix this mistake and declare Libby a Public Health Emergency, now. Once it’s official, they will have clear authority to clean the vermiculite out of the walls of Asa Wood Elementary and every other school, home and business in Libby.

Unfortunately, it’s only a matter of time before something like this happens again, unless a public health emergency is declared and every building in Libby gets the cleaning it deserves.  This problem is not going to go away on its own.

While the exposure of school children to vermiculite is particularly egregious, no resident of Libby, young or old, should be exposed to this poison. I won’t rest until the entire town in cleaned up.

Keeping Tribal Communities Healthy

When Congress convened for the first time in 2008, the very first order of business for the U.S. Senate was the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. And last week, the Senate passed IHCIA with flying colors.

This bill, which I helped write, would provide a major increase to vital Indian Health programs. This Act would mean Medicaid and CHIP improvements, help keep treatment and drug costs lower and make sure Indian health providers are reimbursed fairly. It would also require annual reports from the Department of Health and Human Services on Indian enrollment in federal programs and related matters, so we can make sure we are doing enough. All this adds up to a better, more comprehensive health care system for the Indian community.

As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee I have jurisdiction over Medicare, Medicaid and Indian health care programs.  That means Indian Country has a powerful ally when it comes to health care.  I am not going to let partisan politics keep the Indian Health Care Improvement Act from helping our tribal communities get the resources they need to fight disease and keep folks healthy.

My Travels Around Montana

I’ve spent a lot of time with a lot of Montanan’s lately, and I can tell you things are going really well.

Getting Every Montanan The Tax Rebate They Deserve

April 15th is coming up quickly, and this year’s refund is going to have an extra impact for many Americans.  The economic stimulus package will put extra dollars in American’s pockets and give our economy the shot in the arm that it needs. I worked hard to make sure seniors and disabled veterans were included in the package, but in order to take advantage of the rebate they need to file taxes, even if they usually don’t.

Last month I spent a week traveling around Montana, helping seniors and veterans file the tax returns. I had a blast, talking with folks, encourage them to file and connecting with the community.

Solving Rural Health Care Problems

was in Glendive and Miles City and Hamilton talking with folks about the future of rural health care. The bottom line for me is simple; all Montanans deserve access to quality, affordable health care, no matter where they live.  Just because you hang your hat 50 miles from the nearest hospital doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the best treatments, doctors and medicine available.  My town hall meetings are part of my plan implement a comprehensive, efficient rural health care system for all Montanans and indeed all rural Americans.

Bringing Stimulus Home

I was also lucky enough to spend a great day working at Big Bear Sports in Great Falls.  I spent the day between the checkout counter and the stock room, chatting with customers and fellow employees, it was great fun and very insightful.  Folks have a lot on their plates these days, that’s why I fought so hard for the economic stimulus package.  I want to encourage all Montanans to spend their rebate checks in local stores, to make sure our economy keeps humming along.

Honoring the Bravest Among Us

I was fortunate enough to speak at the Red Cross Annual Heroes’ Banquet in Billings, which honors the regular folks among us who acted extraordinarily in a time of need.  These people have answered humanities highest call and helped their neighbors without question or hesitation. To be part of their celebration was an amazing honor.

 

 

Offices

Billings
222 North 32nd Street
Suite 100
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 657-6790

Bozeman
Federal Building
32 East Babcock
Suite 114
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 586-6104

Butte
Silver Bow Center
125 West Granite
Suite 100
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 782-8700

Great Falls
113 3rd Street North
Great Falls, MT 59401
(406) 761-1574
(406) 452-1117 (TDD)

Helena
Empire Block
30 West 14th Street
Suite 206
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 449-5480

Kalispell
8 Third Street East
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 756-1150

Missoula
1821 South Avenue West
Suite 203
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 329-3123

Washington D.C.
511 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-2651
(202) 224-0515 (Fax)
(800) 332-6106 (from MT)
(202) 224-1998 (TDD)