I’m proud to say the legislative process is working like it is supposed to.

The opportunities—and challenges— presented by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act are unlike anything we’ve seen. Nonetheless, the Democrats and Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee have worked diligently to craft a plan to help the Montanans who need help the most. I am grateful for their hard work.

We are forwarding HB 645 to the Senate, and Montanans can be proud of what the House has accomplished. We can all look forward to projects to improve the state’s bridges, roads, schools and hospitals, as well as funding for human service programs and training for Montana workers.

It is estimated that the total impact of HB 645 is more than $1.6 billion, including an estimated $575 million in tax relief provisions for Montanans.

In addition to direct federal funds, the ARRA allows the state to replace general fund with federal funds, freeing up the general fund for other uses. In Montana, ARRA frees up about $253 million.

“This resolution simply streamlines the process for getting the stimulus bill moving in Montana. We all want to see the federal stimulus money on the ground as quickly as possible - putting people to work, creating jobs and getting our economy going,” Bergren said.

The legislature began public hearings on HB 645, which implements the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Thursday. The Appropriations Committee will take Executive Action on the HB 645 next week. “The Legislature is committed to an open process. Of the legislation we’re looking at this session, HB 645 is one of the most important bills for Montana families. We must allow public comment in the process,” Bergren said.
The Legislature has a Constitutional responsibility to appropriate funds. It is estimated that the stimulus package will create or save 11,000 Montana jobs over the next two years. Much of the funding will go towards infrastructure development, improving our highways and making buildings more energy efficient. HB 645 also provides significant funding for education and tax relief for the majority of Montanans.

“The federal stimulus funding is critical for Montana families and our job as Legislators is to make sure this process moves along without delay or distraction,” Bergren said. “Montanans trust the Legislature to appropriate funds. Each one of us in the House represents 9000 Montanans and we will bring the unique perspectives and concerns of our districts to the table.”

Montanans agree that we must provide health insurance to Montana’s children from Yaak to Alzada and from Havre to Helena. I-155 advocates preventative health care, immunizations and treatment of common illnesses saving Montana money in the long run.

When the Healthy Kids of Montana ballot measure was presented to the voters of Montana it passed with over 70% of the vote. Former State Auditor John Morrison when asked about how the measure would fair in a closely divided house confidently said “All reasonable Republican’s will respect the will of the voters.”

Disappointingly, that conclusion was wrong!

In Hill and Blaine Counties you overwhelming supported the Healthy Montana Kid plan, and your voice was heard. In Hill County over 73% of you voted for this legislation. In Blaine County the number of supporters came in at over 77%.

I am committed to providing the necessary funds to fulfill the people of Montana’s initiative.

When Representative Chuck Hunter’s HB 157 came up for a vote on the House floor, forty out of the fifty Republican representatives voted against insuring the children of Montana, this includes Representative Warburton.

This is a blatant attempt by House Republicans to thwart the will of the voters and deprive Montanans children from health insurance.

Montana spoke, they wish to increase funding to insure up to 30,000 more disadvantaged children especially in such a time when job security is so unstable. The tragic failure of forty Republican legislators depriving voters like you of representation should not go unnoticed.

Will you stand by and allow Republican legislators once again to deny children of necessities at such a time when we need guaranteed insurance the most?

Please contact your local representatives in Helena and tell them why voters like me and you support the implementation of I-155. You can call and leave a message for a legislator at 406-444-4800. If there is anything I can do for you please call me at 406-444-4815.
Best,
Rep. Bob Bergren

Bergren sought the legislation after news reports that former Secretary of State Brad Johnson awarded nearly $58,000 in “performance awards” to nine appointed staff members in the final days of his administration.

“Its disappointing that the committee failed to act on an issue as clear cut as this. This bill is about good clean government and protecting taxpayer money. It’s not an issue that needs a study, a commission, a panel, or any other kind of political foot-dragging.

As with most Montanans, I believe there should be strict restrictions in place to stop elected officials from handing out tens-of-thousands of dollars in 11th hour cash to political appointees at the end of term.”

Also Friday the State Administration Committee tabled HB 594, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Hunter (D-Helena). Hunter’s bill would have put a $1,000 limit on bonuses to any state employee.

Dear Representative Rehberg,

Thank you for the  letter you sent recently to leadership in Congress expressing your support of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Your Republican colleagues in the Montana Legislature need to receive the same message.

Montana’s children deserve access to quality health care, during these tough economic times making the State Children’s Health Insurance Program more important than ever. I believe it is incumbent not only upon the Congress to expand SCHIP to cover more uninsured kids but the Montana Legislature should listen to the voters who passed the Healthy Montana Kids Initiative. Seventy percent of Montana voters approved Initiative 155 - the Healthy Montana Kids plan - last fall. It passed in every county and every legislative district.

I-155 expands eligibility for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), to cover about 30,000 lower-income Montana kids who are now without insurance.

However, there are members of your own party in the Montana Legislature who don’t share your support of CHIP and have voted to block its implementation. Last week Republican members of the legislature questioned whether voters knew what they were doing when they passed the initiative and suggested that Montana could not afford new spending for Children’s Health Insurance. As you know the funding for the initiative is part of the governor’s budget proposal.

Since you were willing to express your support to leaders in Congress, I hope you will also urge the members of your own party in the Montana Legislature to support CHIP and the will of the voters of Montana.
        
Again, thank you for your attention to and action on this timely issue.  By asking the members of your party to do the right thing, we can ensure that Montana gets the health care we voted for and our kids deserve.
Sincerely,
Rep. Bob Bergren, House District 33

My Democratic colleagues and I are committed to ensuring quality education for Montana kids. This session we are continuing the fight to adequately fund schools at all levels.

“Energy for Education,” a bill being sponsored by Rep. Kendall Van Dyk (D-Billings), seeks to increase teacher salaries. Raising salaries is critically important, especially for rural areas where we are struggling to recruit and attract new teachers.

Unfortunately, Montana ranks 46th in level of starting pay for new teachers. It’s time to do better for our kids.

“Energy for Education” will put money directly into our school districts for teacher salaries. The bill reduces the tax holiday currently enjoyed by energy companies and puts those dollars into education.

It’s time to take a cue from our neighbor Wyoming, and use the energy dollars coming into our state to support quality education. Wyoming has significantly improved public education through energy dollars, boosting both teacher pay and classroom funding.

When Montanans are struggling each day to make ends meet during the national financial downturn, giving corporations a free pass is irresponsible. Property tax payers, especially in rural and smaller school districts, are being forced to foot the bill for the increasing cost of schools. We need tax relief for hardworking Montana families. And it’s time corporations paid their fair share of the bill for education.

We’re not trying to end the “Gas Tax Holiday” corporations enjoy - we’re just holding them to an 11 month holiday instead of 18 months.
This bill will put an estimated $40 million a year into teacher salaries. It’s time to put our kids first.

I am a strong supporter of the bipartisan effort led by Rep Kendall Van Dyk (D-Billings) to put in statute the rights of citizens who want access to the streams and rivers that we own. The bill provides access to public waterways and lets landowners control their livestock. Hopefully, it will put an end to the litigation brought on behalf of a few wealthy out-of-state landowners who have tried to deny public access to rivers.

From Yaak to Alzada and from Havre to Helena, I will continue to work for the people like you who fish, hunt, hike and recreate in our public lands and streams.

Please stay in touch - if you have concerns about legislation please contact me. You can leave a phone message at 444-4800, write me at PO Box 200400 Helena 59601 or use my personal email at Bergren@bobbergren.com

“We think action from the U.S. Congress to pass a package of job-recovery legislation and infrastructure improvements is essential to bring jobs to Montana and start economic recovery,” Bergren said.

“A recovery package that creates jobs and builds infrastructure is good for all Montanans. Construction projects to improve our bridges, roads, hospitals and schools will put Montanans to work in good-paying jobs.”

Bergren noted, however, that Sales appears to disagree.

On a Helena-area television program that aired on the eve of the opening day of the session, Sales said, “I think the right approach would be to start weaning ourselves off the federal government, become more self reliant and take our lumps.”

Sales made similar comments from the House floor on January 5.

“It’s hard to believe,” Bergren said. “As Americans look ahead to a new administration and a new set of challenges in tough times, some Montanans would reject federal funds that would put Montanans to work.”

Last week, Rep. Cheryl Steenson (D-Kalispell) said that she’ll introduce a joint resolution of the Montana House and Senate, urging federal lawmakers to act quickly to pass an economic recovery and jobs package to support the state’s infrastructure and put jobless Montanans to work.

Entitled “A Joint Resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the State of Montana urging the United States Congress to enact legislation to create jobs and advance economic recovery,” the resolution details the challenges facing Montana industries and the people who work for them.

“The resolution will give legislators the chance to vote on whether they think we should put Montanans back to work,” Bergren said, “and build roads, bridges and schools, or take our lumps.”

Plum Creek will permanently close the Ksanka sawmill located in Fortine in March, a move that will mean a loss of jobs for 74 employees.  The company will also temporarily curtail operations at the Evergreen sawmill located in Kalispell for the remainder of January, February and potentially March. Both Ksanka and Evergreen mills produce stud grade lumber for home construction.  When lumber markets improve, the Evergreen sawmill will have the capacity to absorb some of the volume previously produced at Ksanka.

Plum Creek’s two pine board sawmills, in Pablo and Columbia Falls, will also see changes as measures are taken to balance production levels with demand. The Pablo sawmill will reduce its operating level from the current 1.5 shifts to one shift, which will result in a loss of jobs for 36 employees. The pine board sawmill at Columbia Falls will temporarily curtail production for the remainder of January, February and possibly into March. The pine board sawmill products are used primarily in home repair and remodeling. 

At the Company’s Columbia Falls MDF facilities, weakened demand will require each of the two MDF production lines to scale down to two shifts beginning January 19, reducing the MDF workforce by 35 employees. 

“The forest products industry in general and the lumber business in particular have been severely impacted by the battered housing market,” said Rick Holley, Plum Creek president and chief executive officer.  “The closure of the Ksanka studmill and reductions in production levels at our other facilities are painful steps to take due to the job losses and impacts to a number of our valued employees.  Unfortunately, these steps are necessary to match supply with the eroding demand for our wood products.”

Plum Creek will provide severance to the affected employees at the Ksanka, Pablo and MDF facilities. In compliance with federal law, the Ksanka mill employees were provided with a 60-day advance notice of the mill closing.  
Plum Creek is the largest and most geographically diverse private landowner in the nation with more than 7 million acres of timberlands in major timber producing regions of the United States and 10 wood products manufacturing facilities in the Northwest. In Montana, Plum Creek practices sustainable forestry on approximately one million acres throughout eight counties in the western part of the state.  For more information on Plum Creek visit www.plumcreek.com.