Congressman Denny Rehberg

December 30, 2004

BILLINGS, MT - In a letter to Governor-elect Brian Schweitzer, Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today to assist the state’s education budget efforts.

“I intend to do everything I can to help put Montana in the best financial position for our children’s education,” Rehberg explained. “I was able to secure a commitment from the Department of Education to serve in an advisory capacity to the state of Montana, particularly as it relates to the impacts on Montana’s education budget as a result of federal policies.”

In his letter to Governor-elect Schweitzer today, Rehberg pledged to help regarding education, “including the extent to which federal funding will impact Montana’s education budget.”

December 30, 2004

Schweitzer/Bohlinger Transition Office

P.O. Box 200850

State Capitol

Helena, MT 59620

Dear Governor-Elect Schweitzer:

In light of recent court rulings, education funding in Montana will understandably be a top priority for the 2005 legislative session. Therefore, I was pleased to learn that newly established committees in both chambers of the Montana Legislature would explore public education issues, including the costs of providing such education. As you begin sorting out this important matter, including the extent to which federal funding will impact Montana’s education budget, my staff and I stand ready to help in any way we can.

As you know, the face of public education has changed substantially in recent years, and education in Montana is no exception. Fortunately, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) brought both new goals and resources into our schools. An emphasis on standards, transparency, and flexibility have been coupled with an infusion of Title I funding. Since 2001, total federal contributions to Montana education have increased by nearly 40% and federal funding for the education of Montana’s disadvantaged children has increased by nearly 50%. As Chairman of the House Rural Education Taskforce, I will continue to work with Sen. Baucus and Sen. Burns to support a variety of other resources rendered by NCLB, such as the Rural Education Achievement Program, for which a majority of Montana schools qualify.

I also remain sensitive to the impact of federal laws on local budgets and continue to support the full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Although the federal contribution remains a far cry from the 40% per pupil expenditure requirement, I am heartened to see the federal share is rising. The U.S. Department of Education estimates that the federal contribution to special education in Montana has increased by over 64% since 2001, and I will continue working for increases until the federal government is providing its promised share of the IDEA bill.

I look forward to working with you on behalf of Montana’s most valued resource - our children. If there is any way I can be of assistance as you address Montana’s educational needs, please contact me in my Billings office at (406) 256-1019 or in my Washington D.C. office at (202) 225-3211. I’ve also contacted the U.S. Department of Education about the education funding issues facing our state as they relate to policies of the federal government. Deputy Assistant Secretary Ken Meyer of the Office of Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs has agreed to assist you in addressing these issues in any way he can. Mr. Meyer can be reached at (202) 401-0404.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg

Montana’s Congressman

Cc:

Superintendent McCulloch

Senator Tester

Senator Keenan

Representative Wanzenried

Representative Brown

December 22, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today lauded newly-issued guidelines that will permit local managers of the America’s national forests to approve timber thinning and other healthy forest management tools without the burden of lengthy and unnecessary bureaucratic delays.

“This is great news for local land managers, who know best how to supervise the activities that promote healthy forests,” Rehberg, a member of the House Resources Committee, said. “For years I’ve been involved in efforts to replace the East-coast, bureaucratic regulation of our national forests with a common-sense, on-the-scene system that puts stewardship in the hands of those who know the land best, local land managers.”

Today, the U.S. Forest Service announced it will send to the Federal Register rule changes that will allow Forest Supervisors greater latitude in planning and decision-making. The proposed guidelines will also permit forest managers to immediately incorporate best available science and relevant information into the planning record and for use in NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act) documentation for projects and activities.

“After so many years of neglect, our national forests can no longer withstand the litigious and regulatory tactics of extreme environmental groups, which have been literally, loving our forests to death.” Rehberg said. “If we truly want to love our forests back to life, we’re going to need sound science and especially local land management. That’s the point of the regulatory reforms announced today.”

December 20, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced $387,046 has been awarded to 17 Montana Counties under the federal Emergency Food and Shelter (EFS) Program. The Emergency Food and Shelter program provides supplemental funding to shelters, soup kitchens, and food banks.

“I’m obviously pleased to see these funds, which will assist food and shelter programs across the state,” Rehberg said. “While Montana’s local communities do an excellent job serving those most in need, it sometimes takes supplemental assistance like the funding announced today to keep our local programs running.”

The funds are used to help individuals and families with non-disaster, temporary emergency needs. One-month awards for rent, mortgage, and utility assistance are also available. Counties named in the 2005 award include:

Big Horn County, $12,630

Cascade County, $30,755

Fergus County, $5,741

Flathead County, $51,930

Gallatin County, $24,713

Glacier County, $12,404

Hill County, $6,814

Lake County, $14,361

Lewis and Clark County, $20,347

Lincoln County, $18,540

Missoula County, $41,239

Park County, $8,018

Ravalli County, $19,725

Roosevelt County, $6,381

Sanders County, $6,795

Silver Bow County, $15,923

Yellowstone County, $49,747

State Set-Aside Committee $40,983

The program is governed by a National Board, chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and composed of representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, United Jewish Communities, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., the Salvation Army, and United Way of America. Since its inception in 1983, the EFS program has distributed more than $2.65 billion to communities nationwide, and has accounted for millions of additional meals and nights of shelter to the hungry and homeless most in need across the nation.here}

December 3, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), today applauded the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to keep the greater sage grouse off the endangered species list. FWS Director Steven Williams announced the decision today at a Western Governors meeting in San Diego, California.

“I am pleased with this decision. Western landowners and managers have demonstrated great concern and stewardship over the health of the lands and habitat. What is needed from the federal government is less interference in the proven efforts of the local managers who are personally invested in safeguarding these precious resources” said Rehberg, a member of the House Resources Committee.

This decision follows an October 14th letter Rehberg sent to Williams requesting the sage grouse not be included on the Endangered Species List. Williams told the Western Governors meeting today that agency scientists and experts found the sage grouse faces “a very low risk of extinction” and is “unlikely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.”

FWS began evaluating the greater sage grouse populations last April after nine environmental organizations petitioned the agency to include the bird on the endangered species list.

According to the Montana Sage Grouse Work Group, the state of Montana currently supports an estimated 27 million acres of greater sage grouse-inhabited grasslands, while the group’s management plan puts into effect several measures for conserving and improving the bird’s habitat.

“The process worked,” said Rehberg, “and it’s a recognition of the hard work by private land owners, state and tribal officials, and others, to protect the critical habitat of one of the west’s most recognizable birds.”

December 2, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), is asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to treat western coal producers fairly when considering new rules regarding mercury emission standards.
“We’re simply seeking fair treatment for this vitally important western utility industry. Montana’s coal industry alone generates over $45 million dollars in annual payroll, and about $30 million in annual tax revenue for the state,” said Rehberg, Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Leavitt, Rehberg asked the agency to take into account it’s own scientific findings, with respect to the differences between bituminous, subbituminous, and lignite coal, in developing cap and trade allocation allowances as part of the agency’s Clean Air Mercury Rule.

There are three major types of coal in the U.S. — western and southern coal is typically subbituminous or lignite, containing elemental mercury that is more difficult to remove than eastern bituminous coal, which primarily contains oxidized mercury.

Existing technologies have different levels of effectiveness in removing mercury during the combustion process. The EPA has recognized these differences by proposing different allocations of allowances to utilities based on the type of coal used. But there has been an effort by eastern coal producers to convince the EPA to modify its proposal to increase the allowances for bituminous coal, essentially creating a competitive disadvantage for western coal.

“The EPA should not be persuaded to ignore its own data in favor of eastern states trying to gain a competitive market advantage over western coal,” said Rehberg.

The EPA’s proposed regulations are aimed at cost-effectively reducing the mercury emissions of coal-fired power plants. The deadline for a final regulation is March 15, 2005.