WASHINGTON – After months of maneuvering, the Senate stands at the brink of a historic battle over health care with President Barack Obama and his allies on one side and Republicans, outnumbered but unflinching, on the other.
"Now it's America's turn, and this will not be a short debate," Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, warned after Majority Leader Harry Reid unveiled long-awaited legislation Wednesday night to extend coverage to 30 million more Americans and force insurance companies to take all comers.
Housing Ordinance
Human Rights Group Says Bozeman Housing Ordinance Discriminatory
BOZEMAN – The state's Human Rights Bureau says it has found "reasonable cause" to believe that a Bozeman housing ordinance is discriminatory.
The ordinance prohibits more than four unrelated people from living together unless they meet certain criteria. Bozeman's assistant planning director Chris Saunders says the rule has been in effect for more than 30 years and is meant to limit the "intensity of use" at a property. He says that too many occupants can cause conflicts with neighbors.
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The ordinance prohibits more than four unrelated people from living together unless they meet certain criteria. Bozeman's assistant planning director Chris Saunders says the rule has been in effect for more than 30 years and is meant to limit the "intensity of use" at a property. He says that too many occupants can cause conflicts with neighbors.
Health Care Overhaul
Tester Still Evaluating Senate Health Care Bill
HELENA – U.S. Sen. Jon Tester said a lot of good things Wednesday night about the sweeping Senate health care bill — but stopped short of promising to vote for it.
Tester spoke to constituents in a telephone town hall meeting after the bill was released by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid — who is now trying to gather 60 critical votes in support of it.
Tester had only good things to say about the Senate health care reform plan. But will he vote for it?
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Tester spoke to constituents in a telephone town hall meeting after the bill was released by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid — who is now trying to gather 60 critical votes in support of it.
Tester had only good things to say about the Senate health care reform plan. But will he vote for it?
Health Care Overhaul
Senate Health Bill Bottom Line: $849 Billion Overhaul
WASHINGTON – The political stakes enormous, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid launched long-awaited health care legislation Wednesday estimated to extend coverage to 94 percent of eligible Americans at a cost of $849 billion.
Initial maneuvering on the Senate floor was expected later in the week on the measure, bitterly opposed by Republicans eager to deny President Barack Obama a victory on his top domestic priority.
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Initial maneuvering on the Senate floor was expected later in the week on the measure, bitterly opposed by Republicans eager to deny President Barack Obama a victory on his top domestic priority.
Commerce Department Cuts
Schweitzer Says Budget Concern Behind Four Job Cuts
HELENA – Gov. Brian Schweitzer says budget concerns are behind a decision to cut four Commerce Department jobs.
The administration says more "austerity measures" could be coming. The governor says he has directed his administration to find saving measures wherever possible.
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The administration says more "austerity measures" could be coming. The governor says he has directed his administration to find saving measures wherever possible.
Federal government counts 134 jobs created or saved in the county
Is the Stimulus Helping Flathead Unemployment?
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Tara McMickle copies a number off of a posting on the job board at the Flathead Job Service in Kalispell last September. - File photo by Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon |
When the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law in February, national and state officials promised a life raft of job creation to help soften the blow of the economic recession.
In Flathead County, an area plagued with high unemployment, the question is whether the stimulus is fulfilling that promise. According to the federal stimulus tracking Web site, 134.1 full-time jobs have been created or saved in Flathead County. But that number may be inaccurate, according to at least one stimulus fund recipient.
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In Flathead County, an area plagued with high unemployment, the question is whether the stimulus is fulfilling that promise. According to the federal stimulus tracking Web site, 134.1 full-time jobs have been created or saved in Flathead County. But that number may be inaccurate, according to at least one stimulus fund recipient.
Lawsuits
Northwest Montana Logging Projects Challenged Over Bears
BILLINGS – An environmental group is seeking to stop three logging projects on several thousand acres in northwest Montana, arguing that the timber sales would harm the area's fledgling grizzly bear population.
The Alliance for the Wild Rockies filed a federal lawsuit Monday to block the projects in the Kootenai National Forest, which are designed in part to reduce fire danger and provide commercial logging opportunities.
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The Alliance for the Wild Rockies filed a federal lawsuit Monday to block the projects in the Kootenai National Forest, which are designed in part to reduce fire danger and provide commercial logging opportunities.
Roadless Bill
Roadless Rule Bill: The Timing is Right, So Pass It
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Unnoticed by many, two members of Congress from Washington have decided it's about time to do something to resolve the seemingly endless debate over the future of our last roadless lands.
Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Jay Inslee, both Democrats, have re-introduced the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act (S.1738, H.R. 3563) to codify the Clinton-era Roadless Rule that has been on a legal roller coaster for the past nine years.
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Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Jay Inslee, both Democrats, have re-introduced the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act (S.1738, H.R. 3563) to codify the Clinton-era Roadless Rule that has been on a legal roller coaster for the past nine years.
