Montana Standard: Tester urges tailings removal
A U.S. senator on Friday called for the removal of the toxic Parrot Tailings buried near the Butte Civic Center.
Sen. Jon Tester, citing scientists at Montana Tech, called the tailings a “serious threat” to the region’s public health.
Havre Daily News: Sen. Tester talks tough topics
Wrapping up the first, and eventful, month in another election year, Sen. Jon Tester spent Thursday morning on the horn with reporters back in Big Sky Country, to talk about Keystone XL Pipeline, recent Citizens United-related talks, the State of the Union address, and many other topics on his mind and voters’ minds back home.
Helena Independent Record OpEd: Act uses compromise to break the gridlock
Seeking a better way, groups representing the timber industry and recreational interests developed the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership five years ago, staking out common ground. Through the help of Sen. Jon Tester, their initial proposal became part of the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act (FJRA), an effort to break the gridlock surrounding these issues on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and portions of the Lolo and Kootenai national forests.
Montana Standard: Feds choose SkyWest
SkyWest Airlines was chosen Thursday to serve Butte’s Bert Mooney Airport under the federal Essential Air Service program…
“Keeping Butte businesses and families connected is important for jobs and businesses,” Tester said in a release. “Accessible, efficient air service means small businesses can expand and more visitors will enjoy Montana.”
Great Falls Tribune: Montana leaders weigh in on Pentagon’s defense plan
Montana’s congressional representatives expressed concerns Thursday about Pentagon plans to eliminate a new cargo plane slated for the Montana Air National Guard in Great Falls and to consider further domestic military base closing in 2013.
“My message to the Pentagon has been clear for two years,” Tester said. “Any decision regarding the future of MANG must maintain a manned flying mission, and it shouldn’t result in fewer jobs in Great Falls. MANG must continue to play a critical role in defending this country and retain the outstanding airmen who serve there today.”
Billings Gazette: Tester racks up another $1.1 million in donations
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester is reporting that he raised another $1.1 million in the final three months of 2011 for his re-election campaign against Republican U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg.
Tester reported closing out 2011 with $3.8 million on hand in one of the nation’s most closely watched and heated 2012 Senate battles.
Flathead Beacon: Montana’s Political Courage
In one of the first initiatives Montana voters passed, the 100-year-old Corrupt Practices Act prohibits direct corporate campaign contributions. Montana’s state and local elections are still transparent by mandated disclosure laws.
The U.S. Constitution never gave person-rights to corporations. The activist U.S. Supreme Court reopened those floodgates with Citizens United. Justice John Paul Stevens said in his dissent that the ruling “threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions across the nation. The path it has taken to reach its outcome will, I fear, do damage to this institution.”
Sen. Tester OpEd on Huffington Post: Standing Up for Transparent Elections by Overturning Citizens United
A century ago this year, the people of Montana stood up against some of the most influential corporations in history with a powerful message: People and their ideas — not corporations and their money — decide our elections.
At the turn of the century, wealthy mining magnates literally bought elections, power and influence in Washington, D.C. So in 1912, Montana voters passed an initiative limiting corporate influence on our elections.
Billings Gazette: Study says Montana has one of best business tax climates; Wyoming is tops
Montana has the eighth-best business tax climate nationally, a national study concludes.
The Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan educational organization based in Washington, D.C, issues its rankings yearly. Montana dropped a spot from seventh place in 2011 to eighth place in 2012.
“Montana does have a good tax climate,” Gov. Brian Schweitzer said. “It’s not new.”
KXLH: Rehberg, Tester & Baucus differ on campaign spending
One of the most politically charged issues this year is whether or not corporations should be allowed to spend money to influence elections. It’s an issue that has divided Montana’s congressional delegates.
The U.S. Supreme Court said in its Citizens United decision that corporations have a right to free speech. This means they can buy political advertisements which advocate for or against a candidate.
