Montana Economy/ Washington Marijuana Sales

Missoulian: Missoula County nets 750 jobs in 2013, report says
Economic Outlook
“Reversing a decades-long trend, it was the rural, eastern counties that led the state in growth and the more populous western counties that suffered the steepest declines.”

Missoulian: Washington pot sales reach $3.8M in 1st month
FAQs on Taxes

Fire Restrictions / School Loans

Missoulian: Fire managers implement stage 1 restrictions in west-central Montana
FireRestrictions.us

Missoulian: Education Department to ease college loan rules
The U.S. Department of Education Strengthens Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program
“As part of an effort to ensure more families can afford a higher education and promote the responsible use of taxpayer dollars, the U.S. Department of Education proposed today new regulations that will update eligibility standards and improve access for student and parent borrowers under the federal Direct PLUS loan program. The current adverse credit history regulations have not been updated since the Direct lending program was established in 1994.”

National Bison Range/ Federal Lands in Montana

Missoulian: Proposal gives most National Bison Range management to CSKT
National Bison Range Complex, Moiese, MT; Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Annual Funding Agreement With the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
“We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce that our draft environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed Annual Funding Agreement (AFA) with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) is available. The proposed AFA would allow CSKT to design, manage, and implement the biology, visitor services, fire, and maintenance program on the National Bison Range Complex. This draft EA describes and analyzes four alternatives, including the draft AFA and the No Action alternative.”

Missoulian: Tester, others say transferring federal lands would burden Montana
S.364 —Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act of 2013
S.37 — Forest Jobs and Recreation Act of 2013
H.R.1526 — Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act