Congressman Denny Rehberg

Missoula, MT - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today issued the following statement from the Poverello Center in Missoula. He toured the facility and met with Ellie Hill to discuss the $285,000 in federal funding he has secured in the House-passed appropriations bill for fiscal year 2009.

“You can’t spend much time in Missoula without someone telling you about the amazing work being done at the Pov. The community is proud of what is being done here, and I’m happy I was able to secure federal assistance for the Poverello Center. These funds will expand service to Missoula’s significant homeless veterans population as well as the mentally ill, physically handicapped and chronically homeless in the region.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg today issued the following statement in response to the passage of the Broadcaster Freedom Act as an amendment to the D.C. Voting Rights Act, which passed this afternoon in the Senate.  Rehberg is a cosponsor of this legislation in the U.S. House.

“Anyone who thinks that talk radio only tells one side of the story doesn’t spend much time in front of a radio.  The fact is, talk show hosts regularly accept calls from listeners that disagree with them, and the debates are lively and informative.  The last thing we need is the federal government stepping in to referee an active discussion to declare winners and losers.  I’m proud of the Senate for passing this important safeguard, and I hope the House of Representatives acts quickly on this legislation.”

The Broadcasters Freedom Act prevents the revival of the mislabeled “Fairness Doctrine,” which was thrown out by the FCC in the 1980s.  This doctrine would require radio stations to meet federally mandated requirements for content or risk reprisal.  The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that The Fairness Doctrine inescapably dampens the vigor and limits the variety of public debate.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg met with Montana officials to discuss expanded control of invasive weed species in Montana. The meeting, a part of National Invasive Weed Awareness Week, addressed the 32 species on the Montana Noxious Weed list.

“Noxious weeds wreak havoc on over six million acres of Montana rangelands, affecting wildlife habitat and livestock grazing areas,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “These invasive plants are also eroding the banks of rivers, such as the Missouri and Yellowstone. This is a serious problem that we need to get under control right away.”

During the meeting Rehberg discussed the possibility of increased federal investment to create jobs statewide for weed control. He was also told by Madison County Commissioner Dave Schulz that proposed expansions of federal wilderness areas threaten to make combating the weeds even more difficult by restricting the state’s ability to access and exterminate the weeds.

“Denny’s a rancher, so he’s dealt with weeds personally,” said Dave Burch, the State Weed Coordinator for the Montana Department of Agriculture. “He has been very supportive and understands the need for an integrated pest management plan in Montana.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today issued the following statement in response to the passage of the House’s $410 billion 2009 Consolidated Appropriations Bill. Rehberg voted against the bill.

“While the bill included many good things for Montana that I have fought for over a year to secure, it also contained way too much wasteful spending that wasn’t scrutinized close enough. From hundred billion dollar bailouts to a so-called “stimulus package” that cost taxpayers almost a trillion dollars, Congress is spending too much and racking up a huge debt. It’s only February and already federal government spending has increased 80% since last year. That simply is not good government.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg met with representatives from the National Barley Growers Association (NBGA) to discuss the role the federal government can play in expanding market opportunities for Montana’s barley producers. The conversation included free trade agreements, export opportunities in Cuba and using U.S.-grown products for international food aid.

“There’s literally a world of opportunities out there for Montana agriculture producers,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “It’s great to work with our producers to figure out the best way the federal government can assist with market expansion that will yield economic growth across Montana.”

Among the subjects discussed, Rehberg pointed out his ongoing frustration that U.S. tax dollars are being used to buy foreign-grown food products for international food aid. “Taxing Montana farmers to buy foreign grain is just bad economic policy,” said Rehberg. “The last thing we should be doing right now is pumping tax dollars into the competition.”

“It’s always a treat to talk with Denny,” said Dave Henderson, Vice-President of the National Barley Growers Association. “When you ask him a question, he has an answer and is already a few steps ahead. We are very interested in continued support for trade, including the sale of Montana Barley in Cuba and the passage of the Columbia Free Trade Agreement.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, secured language in the 2009 Consolidated Appropriations bill which would prohibit the trademark of the phrase ‘The Last Best Place’.  Rehberg’s provision was included in the final version of the bill, expected for a vote later this week.

“For years, Max and I have successfully fought in the House and the Senate to ensure the exclusive rights to this uniquely Montana slogan won’t be given to just one person,” said Rehberg, a member of the Appropriations Committee.  “And this year is no different.”

In 2002, a Las Vegas businessman attempted to trademark ‘The Last Best Place’ for use at his Resort at Paws Up located in the Blackfoot Valley.  In response, Rehberg and Senator Baucus have annually inserted language in Congressional funding measures to “prohibit funds from being used to register, issue, transfer, or enforce any trademark” of the phrase.

“Including this language in both the House and Senate versions of the bill helped ensure it would be in the final version,” said Rehberg.  “I’m glad to see we found a bipartisan, bicameral solution to continuing to protect a treasured Montana nickname.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced that the 2009 Consolidated Appropriations Bill included $2.85 million in funding for Montana Highway 323, which runs from Ekalaka to Alzada in Southeastern Montana.

“Highway 323 has been one of my highest priorities since I came to Washington, D.C.,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “Providing new and safer routes to get from one town to the next is crucial, especially in Montana’s rural communities.  Highway 323 is a huge piece of the puzzle in terms of providing a convenient connection between these two locations.”

The road extends roughly 71 miles, with approximately 14 miles remaining unpaved and 12 miles left to re-build.  The funds will be used to help complete the remaining unpaved portion.  Highway 323 is a critical component of the region’s economy and is the primary agricultural corridor for Carter County, Montana.

“Paved roads are safer and stand up a lot better to the harsh weather conditions that residents of Southeastern Montana face,” said Rehberg. “I’m pleased we continue to make progress toward the completion of this road.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, has secured language in the House 2009 Consolidated Omnibus Appropriations bill which would provide $91,000 in additional Impact Aid funding for the Heart Butte School District. 

“Montana kids deserve the best education no matter where they live,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee and the Impact Aid Coalition.  “School districts located on one of Montana’s seven reservations often lack the funding that typically comes from property taxes.  Impact Aid provides a boost to these school districts and my provision will restore some much-needed funding for Heart Butte.”

In late January of 2008, the Heart Butte School District submitted its application to receive 2009 Impact Aid funding.  Unfortunately, due to a faxing error, the submitted pages were blank when they arrived at the Department of Education.  Once the error was discovered and the pages had been re-faxed, the deadline for application had already passed, requiring a 10% reduction of Heart Butte’s 2009 Impact Aid payments.

Rehberg’s measure states that “the signature pages submitted by Heart Butte School District in Pondera County, Montana, as part of its application for Impact Aid…shall be considered to have been submitted timely and complete for purpose of receiving funding under such a program,” restoring an estimated $91,000 in payments resulting from the cut.  The provision was originally adopted last July, but the funding was delayed when Congress failed to pass the Labor, Health and Humans Services, Education Appropriations bill before fiscal year 2008 expired.  The provision is included in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill making its way through the House this week.

Impact Aid is a program designed to ensure military children, children residing on Indian lands, and children residing on federally-owned low rent housing facilities receive a quality education by helping school districts, which have lost tax revenue as a result of the federal presence in their district.  Since 2001, Impact Aid funding for Montana has increased 18.4% and 72 Montana school districts currently receive Impact Aid funds. There are approximately 147 Impact Aid students in the Heart Butte School District.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today secured $17.5 million in funding for Montana water projects in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill.

“As a member of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, I’m in a great position to fund water projects that are vital to Montana’s communities,” said Rehberg.  “These funds are another important step toward clean drinking water for all Montanans.”

Montana Water Projects included in the Omnibus:

$10 million for Fort Peck / Dry Prairie Rural Water System in Northeastern Montana.  Funds will be used to construct critical elements of the water system including the Water Treatment Plant and core pipelines.  The new system will supply clean water to 30,000 residents of Northeast Montana and the Fort Peck Reservation.

$7 million for the Rocky Boy’s/North Central Montana Regional Water System.  Funds will continue the construction of the core intake, water treatment plant and pipelines that will provide a reliable water supply for drinking water.  Ultimately, the project will deliver water to roughly 30,000 Montanans.

$500,000 for the St. Mary Rehabilitation Project. Funds are for the first phase of a multi-year effort to rehabilitate the St. Mary Diversion Facilities and address associated environmental impacts on the Blackfeet Reservation.  The St. Mary Diversion Facilities import water from the St. Mary River Basin to the Milk River Basin in north-central Montana serving the drinking water needs for 15,000 in municipalities and 140,000 irrigated acres.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced the inclusion of more than $42.5 million for Montana projects in the FY 2009 Consolidated Omnibus Appropriations Bill.

“I’ve been working hard on these Montana projects for more than a year,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “We’ve spent hours examining budgets and project details in an effort to create jobs and help Montana families. I asked for input from Montanans and took steps to ensure the entire process was open to the public. These projects are great news for Montana.”

The Omnibus Bill includes approximately $410 billion in funding for the 2009 fiscal year which began in October 2008. The government has been operating under a continuing resolution after it failed to pass all but 3 of the twelve appropriations bills it must complete each year to avoid a government shutdown. This bill combines the remaining 9 bills into a single massive package.

“Anytime the government starts spending taxpayer money Congress has a duty to provide significant oversight,” said Rehberg. “I’m going to look very closely at the fine print of this bill to make sure there aren’t any bridges to nowhere tucked away in a dark corner. America simply can’t afford a hundred-billion dollar Ponzi scheme that hurts more than it helps.”

Region Project Secured

Billings St. Vincent-Mobile Women’s Healthcare $95,000

Billings Montana Paratransit System Bus Replacement $247,000

Billings City of Billings Digital Video Project $269,000

Billings Billings Clinic-Cancer Center $285,000

Billings MSUB Women’s Prison Academic Outreach $350,000

Bozeman MMEC $100,000

Bozeman Tech Ranch $100,000

Bozeman Brucellosis Vaccine $ 305,000

Bozeman MSU - Barley for Rural Development $514,000

Bozeman Sustainable Beef Supply $682,000

Bozeman MSU - Animal BioSciences Building $2,192,000

Butte MSE - Western Environmental Technology Office $1,903,000

Carter County Hwy. 323 $2,850,000

East. Montana Fort Peck-Dry Prairie Water Project $10,000,000

Eureka North Valley Hospital $404,000

Ft. Peck Fort Peck Cabin Conveyance $1,500,000

Glacier County St. Mary’s Water Project $500,000

Great Falls Benefis Cardiology Suite $761,000

Great Falls COPS Technology: Great Falls PD Firearms Training Facility $282,000

Hamilton City of Hamilton Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades $500,000

Havre Historic Havre U.S. Post Office and Federal Courthouse $100,000

Helena Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee $650,000

Livingston Railroad Grade Separation Undercrossing $332,500

Missoula St. Patrick Hospital-Mental Health Facility $285,000

Missoula Poverello Center Homeless Shelter $285,000

Missoula Montana World Trade Center $300,000

Missoula Community Medical Center $476,000

MSU Center for Zero Emissions Research and Technology $5,709,000

N.C. Montana Rocky Boy-North Central Regional Montana Water Project $7,000,000

Pablo Salish Kootenai College-Defense Engineering Program $238,000

Red Lodge Beartooth Hospital $333,000

Red Lodge Meeteetsee Spires Area of Critical Environmental Concern $1,000,000

Roundup Roundup Memorial Hospital $333,000

Sidney Sidney Health Center $95,000

Statewide COPS Meth:  MT Meth Project $1,000,000

Whitehall Sunlight Business Park Project $142,500

Yellowstone Yellowstone River Corridor Study $430,000