Town Hall talks COVID-19, reopening Montana with key players
BIG SKY – The fourth installment of EBS’s virtual Town Hall meetings brought key voices to the weekly conversation, kicking off the evening with Montana Gov. Steve Bullock. The state executive joined the meeting in between conversations with business leaders, public health experts and others to determine the best way to roll out a phased reopening anticipated to begin April 25, the day following the termination of the governor’s stay-at-home directive. Bullock echoed statements he made in his own press conference last week, advising Montanans to reshape their expectations of what life outside of quarantine conditions will look like. “Our
Montana senators optimistic about economic recovery
MISSOULA — Montana’s senators are optimistic about how the state will rebound from the coronavirus shutdown. But they’re also saying it will take a phased approach, geared to the different circumstances. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines have had some differing viewpoints over how everyone is dealing with the pandemic. Tester has been more critical of the rollout of stimulus funds and assistance, while Daines is more praiseworthy of the efforts to help individuals and businesses. And while they each have their own perspective on how the country should re-open after the long shutdown, both are expressing confidence that Montana’s
Daines Helps Secure $480 Billion for Hospitals – Small Business
Montana Senator Steve Daines held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon from his office in Washington just after the U.S. Senate voted on more funding to provide help for Montanans struggling during the COVID 19 crisis. “Just literally minutes ago the U.S. Senate passed a very important package of over $480 billion of additional relief,” he said. “This will be targeted in some key areas. There’s $25 billion for testing, and Montana will be receiving over $16 million for developing, administering and processing the tests for COVID 19.” Daines continued with more details about the hard-fought passage of the additional
Senate approves $500 billion COVID-19 relief bill after bipartisan deal
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has reached a tentative agreement with President Donald Trump on a nearly $500 billion coronavirus relief bill. The US Senate voted in favor of the bill on Tuesday with a small group of senators pushing the bill through in whats known as a “pro forma session.” Sen. Rand Paul spoke up to say he objected to the bill being voted on without the full Senate, but stopped short of forcing the entire Senate to return to Washington. The bill now moves to the House. The measure would replenish a small business rescue program, provide hospitals with
Daines Urges Relief Funding for Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena, Montana Rural Providers During Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Azar urging the next round of hospital and provider funding under the Coronavirus Economic Recovery Package to target the needs of Montana’s rural providers and children’s hospitals, including Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena. “I am concerned that a number of critically important providers in Montana are still in desperate need of relief, and I am especially concerned about Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena and our state’s extensive network of rural hospitals,” Daines wrote. “I would implore you to respond rapidly to deliver assistance under
Montana Ag Network (Mon Apr 20)
Lane Nordlund has the Montana Ag Network report for Monday, April 20, 2020. #1 Friday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will provide $19 Billion dollars to provide relief for farmers, ranchers, and consumers. “This new $19 Billion program will take several immediate actions to assists farmers, ranchers and concerns in response to the COVID-19 national emergency,” Perdue stated during a White House COVID-19 press conference. North Dakota Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, released a detailed draft of the plan. $16 billion in direct payments for farmers and ranchers,
Daines discusses re-opening Montana’s economy in virtual town hall
Sen. Steve Daines R-Mont., held a virtual town hall Friday to provide and update on the COVID-19 pandemic and what he’s been doing to combat it, as well as hear from the public. “I want to hear your opinions and get your voices on these issues that are important during this pandemic and also to help you get answers about protecting your health, your safety, your finances, not just for yourself, but for your family, your friends, your loved ones,” Daines said. Daines started with the latest death due to COVID-19 in Montana. The ninth and 10th COVID-19 deaths were
Daines Announces $3.5 Million for Montana Law Enforcement Due to COVID-19
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $3,457,033 will be directed to the Montana Board of Crime Control and $47,182 to Lewis and Clark County to help law enforcement respond to a potential increase of crime that may occur following the Coronavirus outbreak. “This funding will play a critical role to ensure our law enforcement on the front lines have the resources they need to protect our communities during the coronavirus outbreak,” Daines said. This funding comes from the Department of Justice to ensure law enforcement across the country are prepared for any criminal activity that may occur following
Daines: Montana Meets Requirements to Begin Safely Reopening Economy
BOZEMAN – U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined Wake Up Montana Weekend live Saturday morning after being named to President Trump’s bipartisan task force on safely reopening America. The senator tweeted out that he was honored to be selected by President Trump to serve on the historic task force to safely reopen America. Daines expressed that Montana has met the federal requirements to beginning phase one of safely reopening the economy, and that he looks forward to bringing the voice of Montana’s small business owners, workers, and families to the President’s task force.