Net Metering/ Influenza/ POM Deceptive Ads

Missoulian: Bills to expand net metering killed by Montana Senate panel
SB 182: Provide for neighborhood net metering
SB 134: Allow for aggregate net metering

Missoulian: 9 Montanans die from flu; virus widespread

Montana Influenza Summary
“Influenza activity continued across the state during the week of January 11–17, 2015, with 648 cases reported. Season to date, 2916 cases as well as 318 hospitalizations have been reported to DPHHS. Nine deaths attributed to influenza have been reported this season. The following maps demonstrate influenza activity by case counts for the most recent reporting week, case counts for the flu season to date, and rates for the season to date (per 10,000 persons).”

Image from USDA

Missoulian: Court upholds deceptive ad claims against POM
13-1060 POM Wonderful LLC v. FT
“POM Wonderful, LLC produces, markets, and sells a number of pomegranate-based products. In a series of advertisements from 2003 to 2010, POM touted medical studies ostensibly showing that daily consumption of its products could treat, prevent, or reduce the risk of various ailments, including heart disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction. Many of those ads mischaracterized the scientific evidence concerning the health benefits of POM’s products with regard to those diseases.”

Keystone XL/ State of the State of Montana

Missoulian: Daines amendment fails in Keystone XL debate, habitat fund in limbo
S.Amdt.246 to S.Amdt.2  

Missoulian: Yellowstone oil spills fuel arguments over Keystone line
Keystone XL Pipeline Debate, Senate
“brought up, which is pipeline safety. There have been some references to recent pipeline spills— one in Poplar, MT, actually not too far from where I live in western North Dakota. But the spill is from what is called the Poplar Pipeline, which I believe is owned by the Bridger Company. It is a pipeline that goes underneath the Yellowstone River. It was built in the 1950s, so we are talking about a pipeline that is over 50 years old. Isn’t that just the point, that whether it is roads or bridges or buildings or pipelines or transmission lines or anything else, we have to make the investment in new facilities rather than just continuing to rely on old facilities?”

Missoulian: Bullock’s State of State: A Montana where we help others, while we succeed
Governor Steve Bullock Delivers State of State Address, Emphasizes Continued Responsible Fiscal Management, Critical Investments in Education, Health, Infrastructure

Missoula Sexual Assault Compliance/ Tax Cuts/ Hearings for U.S. Attorney General/ Los Alamos Nuke Spy

Missoulian: State AG: Missoula County now in compliance with sexual assault prosecutions
Missoula County in Compliance with 2014 Agreement on Sexual Assault Prosecutions
“The agreement, signed by Attorney General Fox and the Missoula County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) on June 10, ended the legal dispute between the U.S. Department of Justice and the MCAO. MCAO agreed to implement several initial and ongoing measures aimed at improving the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault crimes.”

Missoulian: Montana House OKs $120 million in tax cuts
HB 166 Lower state individual income tax rates

Missoulian: Senate opens hearings for Obama attorney general nominee
Opening Statement of Attorney General-Designate Loretta E. Lynch at U.S. Senate Confirmation Hearing

Missoulian: Ex-Los Alamos scientist to be sentenced in nuke spy sting
Former Los Alamos National Laboratory Worker Sentenced for Violating Atomic Energy Act Violations

“According to court filings, Mascheroni, a Ph.D. physicist, worked as a scientist at LANL from 1979 to 1988 and held a security clearance that allowed him access to certain classified information, including “Restricted Data.” Roxby Mascheroni worked at LANL between 1981 and 2010, where her duties included technical writing and editing. She also held a security clearance at LANL that allowed her access to certain classified information, including “Restricted Data.” As defined under the Atomic Energy Act, “Restricted Data” is classified information concerning the design, manufacture or use of atomic weapons; the production of special nuclear material; or the use of special nuclear material in the production of energy.

Mascheroni and Roxby Mascheroni were indicted in Sept. 2010, and charged with conspiracy to communicate and communicating Restricted Data to an individual with the intent to secure an advantage to a foreign nation.”

Affordable Care Act Montana/ Mail Ballots/ Child Abuse

Missoulian: Bill would require Montana Legislature OK for any 'Obamacare' expansion
HB 256: Revise laws to provide checks and balances for expanding affordable care act

Missoulian: McCulloch drops bill to require mail ballots for nearly all Montana elections
HB 70: Revise vote by mail laws

Missoulian: Federal government failing to protect children, report says
Child Abuse and Neglect Statistics
Abuse and Neglect
Child Health USA

Montana Welfare

Missoulian: Mike Dennison: Montana's welfare whistleblowers: GOP tools? Or asking legitimate questions?
HB 256: Revise laws to provide checks and balances for expanding affordable care act
Legislative Audio and Video Archives
House Human Services - Room 152 - Audio Only 1/21/15
House Human Services – Room 152 Video, and audio 1/19/15