Jon Tester for U.S. Senate

Here is a summary of Jon’s record on key conservation issues at the 2005 legislative sessions:

Renewable Portfolio Standard (SB 415) Tester was the primary sponsor of a bill signed into law that requires utilities to obtain a graduated amount of their retail supply of energy from renewable sources. The bill mandates all public utilities and electric suppliers obtain 15% or more of their energy from renewable sources by 2015. This was a Conservation Community Common Agenda bill.

Wind Tax Credit (SB 115) Tester was the primary sponsor of legislation signed into law that created a new property tax classification for wind power. Tester’s bill lowered the taxable value rate for wind energy generation facilities in Montana. The bill benefits Montana consumers by encouraging development of affordable, clean wind energy projects, like the wind farm that opened near Judith Gap last year.

GMO Liability (SB 218) Tester attracted national media attention by sponsoring a bill to hold corporate agriculture accountable for genetically modified strains of wheat. The bill passed committee but failed on a close floor vote.

Habitat Montana (HB 79) Tester supported legislation signed into law that made the Habitat Montana program permanent. Habitat Montana allows the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to purchase land and create conservation easements to protect wildlife habitat.

Block Management (SB 77) Tester supported a bill that made the block management program permanent, benefiting Montana hunters and anglers. The bill, signed into law by Governor Schweitzer, encourages landowners to open their land to outdoors enthusiasts.

Water Quality Standards (SB 236) Tester supported a bill that would have allowed Montana to set stricter water quality standards for carcinogens than the federal government. The bill failed in the House which was tied, 50 Democrats to 50 Republicans at the last legislative session.

Protect Landowners from Coal Bed Methane Development (SB 258) Tester supported legislation to protect the rights of Montana landowners in negotiations on coal bed methane development. The bill would have established a fair negotiating framework, especially in cases where different entities own surface and mineral rights to the same land. The bill died on a close vote.

Environmental Reviews (SB 281) Tester supported a bill that would have strengthened the environmental review process to protect public health, the environment, and fish and wildlife. This bill would have reestablished permitting and environmental regulations that were softened in 2001. The bill failed on a tie vote.

Here is a summary of Jon’s record on key education issues at the 2005 legislative sessions:

Definition of Quality Education (SB 152) Tester led Senate Democrats in passing a definition of quality education at the 2005 regular session. SB 152 drew on a deep base of studies and literature to fully define the basic system of quality education written in the Montana Constitution. While Republicans in the Senate dug in their heels in opposition to the bill, Senate Democrats stood strong, demanding a system of quality education for educators and our children and grandchildren. The bill sets a solid foundation for an education system that develops the full potential of every child and grows with Montana communities.

School Funding (HB 63) With Tester’s support, HB 63 provided groundbreaking appropriations for Indian Education for All and $80 million in additional funding for K-12 education. The bill gave aid and financial security to school districts and set the stage for stronger reform in the special session.

Quality Schools Interim Study (SB 525) Tester sponsored legislation to create the Quality Schools Interim Committee. The committee met more than 21 times to design a new funding formula based on the definition of a quality education approved at the 2005 regular legislative session. Prior to the December 1 deadline, the committee successfully completed its work, assessing educational needs, determining costs, and constructing a sound funding formula.

School Funding (Special Session SB 1) In the Quality Schools Interim Committee, Tester helped write legislation to make an unprecedented investment in Montana’s education system. Tester and Democrats in the Legislature kept promises to kids, teachers, schools and communities by investing $37 million in K-12 education on an ongoing basis. The committee’s proposal also included significant one-time funds for Indian Education for All, deferred building-maintenance, transportation, and utility costs.

Retirement System Appropriations (Special Session HB 1) Tester also helped write legislation to cut the unfunded liability in the state’s Teacher’s Retirement System and Public Employees Retirement System. This legislation directly addressed issues surrounding retirement and retention of public employees and educators by securing the financial future of their retirement plans.

State Employee Pay Plan (HB 447) Tester supported and helped pass the first significant pay increase for state workers since 1991. The negotiated pay plan passed the House and Senate despite Republican attempts to ignore the agreement. A handshake still means something in Montana.

By Jon Tester

It’s springtime in Montana. That’s when my wife and I get to work the fields
on our family farm in Big Sandy.
(more…)

Burns One of Biggest Recipients of Big Oil and Gas Money

U.S. Senate candidate Jon Tester today called on Senator Conrad Burns to work for Montana and American energy consumers, not big energy producers that are making record profits and lining his pockets with campaign cash.

(more…)

Senate Candidate Jon Tester Gets off Campaign Trail and on Tractor to Seed Big Sandy Farm

Jon Tester got off the campaign trail late this week and got on his tractor to begin spring planting—reminding himself that hard-working Montanans are counting on him to be on their side in the U.S. Senate race.

(more…)