news, Press Release

MDP Chairman Jim Elliott's Statement on Tax Day

"On tax day, it’s hard not to be disappointed by our lone Congressman, Dennis Rehberg, who spent eight years digging our country into a deficit and now is trying to shift the blame.

"Dennis Rehberg and the Bush Administration turned record surpluses into record deficits, favored special interests and lobbyists over the interests of ordinary Montanans, cut taxes for Big Oil and the wealthy, and did nothing while wages for regular folks declined. Now Rehberg has made an empty, “symbolic” pledge to swear off earmarks for a year; even while admitting it won’t make a penny of a dent in our deficit.
 
"Montanans can be proud of the fiscal responsibility of Montana Democrats. Senators Baucus and Tester have helped ensure $160 billion in tax relief for families and businesses across the country through the Recovery Act, nearly $100 billion of which has gone straight into the pockets of working families. Dennis Rehberg opposed these tax breaks.
 
"On a state level, we have strong Democratic leadership that starts with Governor Schweitzer, whose penny-pinching management style has made Montana one of only two states with a budget surplus.
 
"Instead of claiming credit for things he’s not doing to help our state, Dennis Rehberg would better serve Montana if he acted more like a Montana Democrat."

MDP Chairman Jim Elliott meets with Democrats in 12 counties on Hi-Line, Eastern Montana

Job creation, opportunities for Montana priorities for 2010 election year
 

Helena – Montana Democrat Party Chairman Jim Elliott completed his tour of 12 counties with a final stop in Forsyth today. Elliott met with Democrats on the Hi-Line and in Eastern Montana to discuss the upcoming 2010 elections and hear ideas about moving Montana forward.
 
"We talked a lot about creating jobs by developing our natural resources in a responsible way. Creating jobs and having clean water and clear skies are not mutually exclusive," Elliott said. "I am really impressed with the enthusiasm and energy of Democrats in rural Montana; hard work is their heritage. Everywhere I went I met Democrats who were deeply committed to moving Montana in the right direction."
 
During a five-day, 1800 mile driving tour, Elliott visited Choteau, Conrad, Havre, Harlem, Flaxville, Plentywood, Sidney, Glendive, Wibaux, Baker, Ekalaka, Broadus, Miles City, and Forsyth.

Rehberg Misleads Montanans on Earmark Ban

Helena – Rep. Dennis Rehberg is misleading Montanans by having them believe his latest political stunt saves taxpayer money.
 
Last month, Rehberg suddenly announced he would toe the Republican Party line and support a ban on transparent earmarked appropriations, even though they create jobs in Montana.  Why?  As Rehberg explains: “we need to begin down the path of spending reform” [Beartooth NBC's The Dunwell Report, 4/4/2010].
 
But according to the Associated Press, getting rid of earmarks won’t lower spending or cut the deficit.  That’s because earmarks don’t increase federal spending, but rather specify how government agencies must use money they already have [Associated Press, 3/28/2010].
 
That’s why even Rehberg admits his gesture is purely symbolic.
 
“After a decade on taxpayers’ payroll, Dennis Rehberg knows full well banning earmarks doesn’t save money and he’s trying to pull the wool over our eyes,” said Kate Downen, spokeswoman for the Montana Democratic Party.  “If he were serious about getting a handle on the debt, he wouldn't have voted for tax cuts for the wealthy and Big Oil while spending countless billions over the last ten years.  Instead, he’s hoping ordinary Montanans just won’t figure it out.”
 
Last week, Rehberg released the “results” of a “survey” conducted by his own office among only Montanans interested in taking part.  According to Rehberg, a majority of the respondents said they favored his choice to follow the orders of his party leadership in Washington, D.C.
 
The survey, unsurprisingly, failed to mention that Rehberg’s symbolic gesture would do nothing to reduce the deficit and would not save taxpayers any money.

Rehberg, multi-millionaire, lashes out at having to pay Medicare tax

While 99 percent of Montanans see no tax hike, Congressman pitches fit on behalf of
Wall Street and the wealthy few

Helena - Congressman Denny Rehberg--a multi-millionaire and one of Congress' wealthiest members--lashed out yesterday at an adjustment in the Medicare tax that will have no effect on 99 percent of Montanans.

Prior to the new health insurance reform law, only working Montanans and Americans paid Medicare taxes on their payroll.  Meanwhile, Wall Street bankers with "unearned" income--like stocks, dividends, interest--paid no Medicare taxes.  The new law closes that loophole and ensures the richest Americans are paying their fair share.

Ignoring that the adjustment to Medicare taxes will only affect Americans making more than $200,000 per year (or $250,000 for a couple), Rehberg linked directly to talking points from the Washington, D.C. Republican Party headquarters on his Twitter account.  In the talking points, Rehberg predicted that middle class families were at risk of higher taxes if they sell their homes or rent out property.

Rehberg failed to mention that only the profit from a home sale (or other "unearned" income) is counted as taxable income--not the entire value of the sale.  Even if an individual Montanan makes an extraordinary net-profit of $100,000 on a home sale, they would see no new tax unless their other sources of income landed them another $100,000 in the same year.

"The bottom line is 99 percent of Montanans will see no tax increases in the new health insurance reform law," said David Benson, Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party.  "But Denny and his rich friends and Wall Street buddies will now have to start paying their fair share along with hardworking Montanans.  So it's not surprising to see him pitch a fit and twist the facts to make it look like taxes are going up.  Unfortunately, most of us aren't as rich as you, Denny."

MDP Chair to GOP Legislators: Give Up State Health Care Benefits

 
74 Montana lawmakers who signed letter decrying health reform should first
give up their own benefits

 
Helena - Democratic Party Chairman Jim Elliott today called on Republican lawmakers to relinquish their taxpayer-subsidized health benefits. 74 Republicans signed a letter criticizing the new health reform bill and the state's decision to not pursue a lawsuit against the federal government over health care reform.
 
Montana Democratic Party Chairman Jim Elliott said Thursday that he agreed with Attorney General Steve Bullock's decision not to use taxpayer resources to pursue a politically motivated lawsuit that is without merit.  
 
“It seems arrogant to me that Republican lawmakers, most of whom already have the best health care taxpayers’ money can buy, are trying to keep Montanans from gaining access to quality care,” said Elliott.

Rehberg barely shows his face to Montanans for nearly two weeks of time off

 

Helena- After almost two weeks of time away from his post as Montana's lone Congressman in Washington, D.C., Montana Democrats are asking "Where is Dennis Rehberg?"

Rehberg, who regularly touts "listening sessions" he has held in small towns across Montana, has been all but invisible since arriving in Montana after the March 29 House recess.

Rehberg's office reports he is holding one meeting during his two week vacation--in Malta.

"Dennis Rehberg admitted homecoming will be easy," said David Benson, Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party. "That's because he's short on plans to discuss his vote against reforming the insurance industry, making college more affordable, giving tax breaks to small businesses, cutting prescription drug costs for seniors by closing the donut hole and cutting our national deficit by more than a trillion dollars.  Montanans deserve to know: Where has Dennis Rehberg been?"

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