mtdem_admin's blog

Democrats to Rehberg: “Yes or No to Montana?”

 
Rehberg faced with historic choice in evening vote

Helena – With a single vote, Rep. Denny Rehberg will tonight have the opportunity to either support or say no to tax credits for small business, close the Medicare "Donut Hole" and provide $96.8 million in Pell Grant funding to thousands of Montana students in the next 10 years.

Later this evening, the U.S. House is expected to vote on a package of improvements to the Democrats’ sweeping health insurance overhaul. Virtually assured of passage, the vote will give Rep. Rehberg one more chance to support both the original bill and subsequent improvements to it.

“If Denny Rehberg believes in second chances, this is his,” said Kate Downen, Communications Director for the Montana Democratic Party.  “It’s not complicated; he’s either for helping small businesses or he’s against it.  He’s either for more affordable prescription drugs for seniors, or he’s against it. This is his chance to do the right thing, instead of going along to get along like he always does.”

According to federal officials and several published reports, in addition to saving the taxpayers $61 billion by reforming Pell Grants and student loans, the new package includes a number of improvements over the original bill, including:

•    Making tax credits more generous for consumers and small businesses buying insurance

•    Lowering prescription drug costs by offering a $250 rebate to seniors caught in the Medicare “Donut Hole”

•    Completely closing the Medicare “Donut Hole” by 2020

•    Increasing funding for Montana Community Health Centers. 

Statement from Montana Democratic Party Chairman Jim Elliott on Yesterday's Passage of the Health Insurance Reform Bill

"Yesterday regular Montanans won a life-changing victory. Those who have fallen through the cracks of our health care system will be able to get coverage, and those who are currently covered can be secure in knowing that their health care decisions can now be made in their own homes, not insurance company boardrooms. Thanks to both of our senators, particularly Sen. Baucus, who led this fight from the beginning and believed in health care reform when obstructionists declared it impossible to achieve. 

"Unfortunately Congressman Rehberg opposed reform from the start without offering solutions of his own. And now he-- along with those who unsuccessfully tried to stand in the way of improving the lives of millions-- will have to watch from the sidelines as the Montanans he claims to represent see immediate benefits as a result of yesterday's historic vote."

Democrats Announce Field of Candidates Ready to Lead

 Dems will work to create jobs and opportunities for all Montanans

Helena – In events across the state, Montana Democrats today unveiled a slate of candidates dedicated to creating good-paying jobs, making the state a leader in renewable energy and continuing to balance Montana’s budget.

As the filing deadline to run for the Montana Legislature approached, Democratic Party Chairman Jim Elliott praised the group of candidates as ready to lead Montana forward.

“We have an incredible lineup of candidates from every corner of the state, and we've got the right folks in the right races where we can win,” Elliot said.  “Democrats have proven we can balance the state’s checkbook, create good-paying jobs and make Montana a leader in the future of renewable energy.” 

 
As of 3:00 PM, 97 Democrats from every corner of Montana had filed to run for the legislature.
Elliott also noted 2010 will feature more than twice as many Republican primaries as contested Democratic races.  According to the Secretary of State’s office, the Montana GOP will contend with 33 contested primaries for House and Senate seats, including a record ten races with at least three Republican candidates. There were eight Republican primaries against incumbents.

“The extreme right is waging a war within the Republican Party in Montana, and in the meantime there's no real leadership,” Elliott said. “Democrats prefer to spend our time making Montana a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

Under Democratic leadership in the legislature and the Governor’s office, Montana has gone from 50th to 15th in wind energy production since 2005 and the state remains one of just two in the country with a budget surplus.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Democratic Candidates Run Statewide on Creating Jobs and Opportunities for All Montanans

 

Candidates, legislators hold regional press conferences in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula TODAY to discuss plan to create jobs, healthy economy for Montana

(Helena) - With the filing deadline to run for the Montana legislature just hours away, Democrats across the state will hold regional press conferences to discuss their plan to create jobs and opportunities for all Montanans.

Times and locations for today's press conferences are below:

Billings
12:00 PM
McCormick Cafe, 2419 Montana Avenue
Local contact: Keif Storrar, 406.381.4656

Bozeman
12:00 PM
Labor Temple, 122 Mendenhall
Local contact: Kate Downen, 406.270.3203

Great Falls
 11:00 AM
Baker Bob's, 112 Central Avenue
Local contact: Chris Laslovich, 406.370.8495

Helena
12:00 PM
Fan Window of the Capitol
Local contact: David Benson, 612.353.7172

Missoula
11:30 AM
College of Technology
909 South Avenue West
Local contact: Dave Wanzenried, 406.546.9442

ADVISORY: MDP Chairman to Hold Media Availability TOMORROW in Advance of Mansfield-Metcalf Dinner

 
(Helena) - Tomorrow Montana Democratic Party Chairman Jim Elliott will hold a media availability in advance of the Mansfield-Metcalf Dinner.

What: Media availability with MDP Chairman Jim Elliott
 
Where: The basement of Jorgenson's Inn and Suites, 1714 11th Avenue, Helena, MT
 
When: 12:00 PM, March 12, 2010
Syndicate content