Unemployment / Campaign Contributions / Developer Discriminating / Poaching in Yellowstone

Missoulian: New jobless number hold political significance

Employment Situation Summary
“The unemployment rate decreased to 7.8 percent in September, and total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 114,000, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment increased in health care and in transportation and warehousing but changed little in most other major industries.”

Missoulian: State appeals ruling on campaign donations;Missoula legislator pushes for contributions

Bullock Statement Regarding Ruling on Montana’s CampaignContribution Limits
“This is a destructive ruling for Montana’s citizen democracy, and disturbing for those of us who believe that democracy is not for sale and politics is about values and issues, not money.

In declaring our campaign contribution limits unconstitutional, a federal judge has effectively put Montana’s elections up for auction to the highest bidder. My office will aggressively pursue all legal remedies available to overturn this decision, including filing an emergency stay before the U.S. 9th Circuit of Appeals —the court which upheld Montana’s contribution limits just a decade ago.”- Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock

Missoulian:  Missoula developer, builder charged for violating accessible housing law 

HUD CHARGES OWNER, DEVELOPER AND BUILDER OF MONTANAAPARTMENT BUILDING WITH DISCRIMINATING AGAINST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
“The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it is charging the owner, builder and developer of a five-unit Missoula, Montana, apartment building with housing discrimination for designing and constructing two of the five units in a way that makes them inaccessible to persons with disabilities. According to HUD's charge, the two single-story units cannot be accessed without negotiating a flight of stairs.

The Fair Housing Act requires that multifamily housing structures built for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, contain accessible features for persons with disabilities. The requirements include accessible common areas, bathrooms and kitchens, as well as wider doors and environmental controls that can be reached by persons who use wheelchairs. The failure to include these features violates the Fair Housing Act.”

Missoulian: Yellowstone Park rangers hunt elk poacher 

Yellowstone Seeks Information on Thorofare Elk Poaching

“The Lacey Act and the Code of Federal Regulations strictly prohibit the killing or removal of any animal from inside Yellowstone. This includes animals shot legally outside the park that cross into and die within the park boundary. Taking and removing any animal parts, including shed antlers, is also prohibited. ”