Pine Beetle/ Referedums/ Tax Reduction/ Bison/ Payroll Increase

Missoulian: Survey shows mountain pine beetle declines across Wyoming

Aerial Survey Results Documents

“Mountain pine beetle has affected 3.4 million acres in Colorado since 1996.

The epidemic has slowed down in many areas of Colorado and Wyoming (Figure 1) as large pine trees have been depleted in the core outbreak areas.

Forested areas affected by mountain pine beetle expanded by 31,000 acres in Colorado, 53,000 acres in Wyoming and 11,000 acres in South Dakota.”

Missoulian: Montana House, Senate pass most referendums Montana House, Senate pass most referendums  

SB 405: Referendum to revise close of late voter registration

SB 408: Referendum to provide top two primary in certain elections

HB 496:  Referendum to exempt religious communications from campaign finance reports

HB 521: Referendum requiring parental consent for an abortion for a minor

Missoulian: Montana Senate backs one-time income tax reduction

SB 394:  Generallyrevise income tax laws and decrease taxes

Missoulian:  Mont.law makers endorse bills to restrict bison 

HB 249: Revising laws related to presence of bison/buffaloon private property 

 

Missoulian: White House says economic recovery goes on intact

Bureau of Labor Statistics

“Nonfarm payroll employment edged up in March (+88,000), and the unemployment rate was little changed at 7.6 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment grew in professional and business services and in health care but declined in retail trade.”

Flathead Water Compact/ Guns on Campus/ Women's Earnings/ Referendums/ School Choice/ Breweries/ National Exports

Missoulian: Montana House panels kill bills to ratify, study Flathead water compact 

HB 629: Implement negotiated water compacts with Montana tribal governments

Missoulian: Montana Senate backs plan to allow guns on college campuses 

HB 240:  Clarify constitutional provisions and law related to board of regents/u-system

Missoulian: Report: Montana women's earnings 4th lowest in nation

Status of Women in Montana

Missoulian: Bills to put issues before Montana voters arrive ahead of deadline 

SB 405: Referendum to revise close of late voter registration

SB 407: Prohibit contingency fees for attorneys certain injuries 

SB 408: Referendum to provide top two primary in certain elections

HB 30: Revise late registration laws 

HB 436: Providing top two primary in certain elections

Missoulian: Montana legislators endorse bills on charter schools, 'school choice' 

SB 374: Establish public charter schools 

Missoulian: Montana House committee kills bill to restrict brewery tasting rooms 

HB 616: Revise licensing for breweries and holders of beer and all-beverages licenses  

Missoulian: US is halfway to Obama 5-year export-doubling goal

National Export Initiative 

“The Obama Administration has made it a top priority to improve the conditions that directly affect the private sector’s ability to export – working to remove trade barriers abroad, help firms and farmers overcome hurdles to entering new markets, and assist with financing.”

Medicaid/ Wild Horses/ Immigration

Missoulian: Medicaid bill alive for now in state Senate with help of some in GOP 

SB 395: Revise health care laws to expand Medicaid and improve health care delivery

Missoulian: Wild horse bill fails in Montana Senate committee 

SB 402: Regulate importing of wild horses or burros

Missoulian: Immigration bill envisions new farm worker program

HR 242: Legal Agricultural Workforce Act  

HR 707: Short Term Retention for Agricultural Workers Act of2013