MDT ISSUES REMINDER ON POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SIGN PLACEMENT

Helena РWith the campaign season underway, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) would like to remind political candidates and committees of State of Montana restrictions on political sign placement on state highways. Cities and counties may have separate regulations on political sign placement along city or county roads. Under state regulations, signs promoting political candidates or issues shall be placed on private property only and cannot be placed without the permission of the property owner. Political signs do not require permits and are not subject to permit fees; however, it is the responsibility of political candidates and committees to ensure that all signs are in compliance with Montana Administrative Rule §18.6.246.

Political signs shall not be placed or allowed in any portion of public right-of-way or on public property. Signs placed on highway fences, utility poles, or otherwise on state right-of-way are not allowed and will be removed. Because such placement violates federal law, signs that pose a traffic hazard will be removed by MDT without prior notification and stored until they can be picked up by the owners.

Political signs must be removed within 14 days following the applicable election. The department shall notify the landowner of illegal signs which are not removed within 14 days. The signs will be removed by the department 24 hours after notification to the landowner. The department will retain removed political signs for five working days after notification of removal before their destruction. The sign owner may retrieve the signs during this period. Additional information is available at [
http://www.mdt.mt.gov/business/docs/oac/oac_rules_regs.pdf
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http://www.mdt.mt.gov/business/docs/oac/oac_rules_regs.pdf
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For more information, please contact Outdoor Advertising Control Coordinator Patrick J. Hurley at (406) 444-6068. For the hearing impaired, the TTY number is (406) 444-7696 or 1-800-335-7592, or call Montana Relay at 711. Alternative accessible formats of this information will be provided upon request.

BAUCUS SAYS BUDGET MUST FOCUS ON AMERICAN JOBS

Senator Reiterates Call to Bring Troops Home from Afghanistan as White House Prepares for Monday Budget Release

(Washington, D.C.) – Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus reiterated his call to bring troops home from Afghanistan and focus on American jobs today ahead of the release of the President’s budget on Monday.

 “There is something fundamentally wrong with spending $88 billion for nation building in Afghanistan while we’re asking Americans to make tough cuts here at home. Right now, we are working hard to pay for a highway bill that invests in Montana jobs, while the money we’ve already spent in Iraq and Afghanistan is enough to rebuild the American interstate system five times over.  We know education is a key to making sure American workers are competitive, but we’ve spent enough on Iraq and Afghanistan to double the number of public elementary schools in America.  And that’s all deficit spending,” Baucus said.

“Our troops have done an amazing job.  Thanks to them Osama Bin Laden is dead and Al Qaeda is on the run.  They deserve our respect and gratitude.  But more than that, they deserve good-paying jobs to come home to when their service is done, and that means we need to strengthen our economy.

“We made the right choice bringing our troops home from Iraq.  Now it’s time to ask Afghans to take responsibility for their own country, so we can focus on targeted strikes against terrorist targets around the world and invest in nation building here in America.”

 Baucus has repeatedly called for a change of course in Afghanistan since the death of Osama bin Laden in May – with the goal of having all U.S. combat troops out of Afghanistan by the end of next year.  And, in December, he voted for legislation in the Senate that would require the President to submit and expedite plan for troop drawdown.  

 At the same time, Baucus has been working to pass a bipartisan extension of the Highway Bill.  The last Highway Bill, passed in 2005, brought more than $2.3 billion to Montana for highway construction projects – a $7 return to Montana for every $1 invested – and helped create and sustain more than 18,000 good-paying jobs across the state.

 Baucus also led efforts last year to pass his VETs Jobs Bill, which was signed into law in November, and he continues to work to pass legislation supporting small businesses owned by disabled veterans.

Baucus Statement on the passing of James “Stoney” Wines

(Washington, D.C.) – Montana’s senior U.S. Senator issued the following statement on the passing of World War II Veteran and Helena resident James “Stoney” Wines who was a proud member of the First Special Service Force based at Fort Harrison:

 “Stoney served our country with bravery, made our state proud and dedicated himself to the safety of folks in Helena as a police officer and captain. He is a true American hero and I’m doing everything to help honor his sacrifice with the highest honor Congress can bestow. My thoughts and prayers are with the Wines family at this time.”

 Baucus is working to pass legislation he wrote to grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force which James “Stoney” Wines served on based at Fort Harrison. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor Congress can grant. The First Special Service Force was created during WWII and paved the way for the creation of the nation’s elite Special Forces.

 Contact: Kate Downen 406-224-5056/Kathy Weber 406-329-7980/Jennifer Donohue 202-224-2651

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Tester backs effort to prevent violence against women

Senator’s bill improves prevention, enforcement

 

(GREAT FALLS, Mont.) – Senator Jon Tester is supporting a new effort aimed at preventing violence against women in Montana and nationwide.

 

Tester is backing the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act, which strengthens states’ efforts to enforce laws that protect women, prosecute perpetrators, and provide survivors with services.  The bill supports existing state plans that curb domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

 

“This bill protects and empowers women by giving law enforcement, our courts, and service providers the tools they need,” Tester said.  “I expect Congress to stand up for women and approve this measure in short order.”

 

Tester’s bill also specifically addresses needs in Indian Country, where violence rates are higher than the rest of Montana.  It also expands the definition of sexual assault.

 

“The Montana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and our victim service programs throughout Montana, appreciate Senator Tester stepping up for Montana women,” said Kelsen Young, the coalition’s executive director.  “Strengthening the Violence Against Women Act is essential to helping our programs provide life-saving services to victims of these devastating crimes.  Senator Tester’s efforts to address violence against women, particularly against native women, continue to make a big difference in Montana.”

 

The Violence Against Women Act provides more than $4 million for 50 anti-violence initiatives across Montana.  The bill also consolidates programs to reduce administrative costs and add efficiency.

 

Funds would distributed by the Montana Board of Crime Control. 

 

Tester is also a supporter of the SAVE Native Women Act that helps tribes provide more flexible services and resources to women affected by violence.  Along with the Violence Against Women Act, it awaits a vote in the Senate. 

 

Tester’s bipartisan bill is available online HERE.

 

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Contact:          Andrea Helling or Dan Malessa – (202) 228-0371