Author: Press Room

Rickman Joins Girl Scouts Staff

16 February 2021
Press Room
No comments

Briana Rickman has joined the staff of Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming (GSMW) as Director of Fund Development. 

Rickman brings over 12 years of non-profit experience including, most recently, as Executive Director for Dress for Success Billings. Additionally, Rickman gained non-profit experience and developed a passion for the Girl Scout mission while working previously at GSMW. Her experience ranged from Community Development Manager, recruiting and supporting volunteers, to Retail Sales Manager, promoting the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to members.  Fund Development is a critical component for delivering the Girl Scout program to girls in Montana and Wyoming. Within the GSMW council, 45% of girls are in need of financial assistance. Briana graduated from Montana State University-Billings in 2008 with her BA in Biology.  She enjoys camping, hiking, gardening, crafting, playing games, and spending time with her family and friends.

Rescinding XL Destroys Jobs

16 February 2021
Press Room
No comments

By Alan Olson, MPA Executive Director

President Biden’s recent executive order to rescind the permits for TC Energy’s Keystone XL, including a section of the pipeline that has already been constructed, will cause serious economic consequences not only for Montana but also for the United States.

 While some leaders in government believe they can create jobs, it is the private sector that is the job creator. Private investment in infrastructure such as the Keystone XL pipeline puts people to work in good paying jobs, provides a much-needed service, and creates wealth domestically without increasing the national debt. Through tax revenue, it funds much needed government services such as education, health and human services, and emergency services.

Just since 2008 About 42,000 miles of pipeline have been put into service in the U.S. carrying crude oil, natural gas, and other petroleum products. In today’s global economic climate abundant energy supplies and North American energy independence will have a huge influence geopolitically and economically.

Keystone XL will enhance the existing pipeline system and provide new ways to safely transport the energy to fuel Americans’ daily lives, now and in the future. Keystone XL will provide a reliable source of fuel from a stable neighboring country that shares America’s values as well as facilitating the delivery of Montana and North Dakota crude oil supplies to southern markets. 

 Since TC Energy filed its first Keystone XL application in 2008 there has been years of rigorous review and the facts have never changed. A four-year certification process through Montana’s rigorous Major Facility Siting Act and every federal study done under both the Obama and Trump administrations has concluded Keystone XL can be built and operated safely, with NO significant impact to the environment. 

* In 2008 the permitting process for Keystone XL started.

* In 2011, the U.S. State Department (DOS) determined the project could be built with no significant impact to the environment.

* In 2014, DOS again finds Keystone XL can be built safely.

* In 2018, DOS again finds Keystone XL can be built with no significant impact.

* In 2019 the State permitting processes have been completed in all three affected states, Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska.

* In 2019 a supplemental EIS was released adding another 648 pages to the voluminous original EIS that reviews geology, soils, water resources, wetlands, wildlife, air quality and noise, terrestrial vegetation, fisheries, species at risk, cultural resources, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. 

In its 2014 environmental impact statement, the U.S. State Department determined that GHG emissions from the movement of this oil by other modes of transportation such as rail would generate 28 percent to 42 percent more GHG emissions than Keystone XL. The construction techniques identified in the permitting requirements of the affected states will ensure proper operating parameters. Environment and climate change concerns are met by adhering to regulations in the United States, not by not exporting this crude oil directly to foreign nation lacking those same restraints.

 Keystone XL is good business for the U.S. It will create thousands of high-paying construction jobs, pay millions into three rural states’ tax coffers, and inject billions into the nation’s economy. During construction, Keystone XL will create over 42,000 U.S. based jobs. Approximately 12,000 of the jobs will be created in Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Wages supported by Keystone XL construction will generate $2 billion in earnings for U.S. workers. Construction of Keystone XL will inject approximately $3.4 billion into U.S. GDP and over $25 million in taxes paid to Montana’s state and local coffers in just the first year of operation will pay for education and social services programs as well as infrastructure needs. 

We are deeply concerned that the Biden administration would play politics with this very important project. At a time when Americans are struggling to find work, especially the good paying jobs that this project would provide, we cannot understand why the Biden administration would turn down private investment in critical infrastructure.

Just Some Observations – by Evelyn Pyburn

16 February 2021
Press Room
No comments

DIY?–Quit Counting on Government

Though it’s diminished somewhat, at one time the “Made in Montana” promotion was incredibly effective because it had a lot of support by local manufacturers and the public in general. When it comes to labeling meat products with the same message one has to wonder why its advocates need the government to make it happen. Just do it! Let consumers know. There are funds being collected with the sale of livestock to promote the beef industry, what better way to spend it? And, if that’s not enough or doable for some political reason, go at it another way. There are certainly no laws against promoting Montana produced meat and as many people know, you are up- a –creek if you find yourself dependent on government to achieve much of anything. Come to think of it, we need to regenerate the entire “Made in Montana” program as we work to regenerate the state’s economy. It worked.

Actually seeing the guns…

As bizarre as it is, it is undoubtedly so that many citizens are fearful of guns (among a lot of other things) and believe that every anti-gun law is going to protect them from a very great threat. By every measure their fears are unfounded but it doesn’t seem to matter what facts are presented, the relentless mantras of the anti-gun lobby overwhelms their common sense. Maybe it would help if they could visualize  exactly how very little threat gun owners really are. In all probability (at least in Montana) they are surrounded, every day, by hoards of firearms and nothing bad happens to them. In any given neighborhood should the occupants of every household within a one block radius, bring out every gun and box of ammunition they own and stack them in front of the timid citizen’s home, that citizen would see a mountain of arms that would leave them stunned. But, they would physically see the degree to which they are surrounded by guns every day of their lives and always have been, and maybe they would realize to what degree, in their sublime ignorance, they have lived peacefully and without any harm surrounded by firearms. Perhaps they would comprehend that gun owners, are not back alley thugs in a bad part of town, they are their neighbors, family and friends. And, maybe, just maybe, it is this fact that makes neighborhood safe.

Two rules explain it all…

If it’s true that people become more conservative as they get older, it might be because they increasing understand how the economy works. So that means that the sooner young people understand economics the better their decisions will be about life and politics. With that in mind, my experience would advise there are two basic economic factors to understand, and which once understood causes everything else to fall into place.

One is the rule about supply and demand which says that when supply is high and demand low, prices are low, and that when demand is high and supply low, prices go up. And to truly believe that that is always true, and that it is true in relation to all things at all times, even in politics and human behavior, it is a significant step in understanding economics.

A profundity, just as significant, is that “incentives matter.” It’s a factor that correlates with the common advice of “follow the money” although power and prestige can often override money. Incentives cut both ways, for good and bad. The vital thing to know is that they are always at play and the simple challenge is to identify what the incentive is and who is being incentivized — explains a lot.

Governor’s BIG Jobs Act Gets Big Support

16 February 2021
Press Room
No comments

Business leaders, farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders testified on Feb. 9 in support of Governor Greg Gianforte’s Business Investment Grows (BIG) Jobs Act.

A key initiative in Governor Gianforte’s Roadmap to the Montana Comeback budget, the BIG Jobs Act, H.B. 303, would exempt business equipment up to $200,000. The business equipment tax requires small business owners, farmers, and ranchers to value their property, file paperwork, and pay tax on their business equipment. The current exemption is $100,000. This initiative will relieve 4,000 small businesses across Montana of the burden of paying business equipment tax, encouraging those businesses to grow their companies and create jobs.

The BIG Jobs Act, which Rep. Josh Kassmier (R., HD 27) sponsors, has received widespread support from small business owners, farmers, ranchers, and representatives across industries in Montana. Many testified in support of the bill before the House Taxation Committee this morning.

Steve Arveschoug, executive director of the Big Sky Economic Development Council: “This bill…is a really important step forward for Montana’s broader state economy….It has that on-the-ground impact that we really need right now….It means a great deal to the businesses in the communities that I serve in our region in the state of Montana.” 

Daniel Brooks, director of business advocacy for Billings Chamber of Commerce: “One of the Billings Chamber’s priorities is to reduce the cost of doing business in Montana, and this bill does just that: reducing taxes and allowing businesses to be able to invest in growth….We also appreciate the backfilling of local revenues to ensure that local governments aren’t burdened with that choice of either raising taxes or cutting services because of changes that happened up in Helena. We’d like to thank the governor for his efforts to reduce the cost of doing business in Montana.”

Jason Brother, CEO of the Lower Yellowstone Rural Electric Cooperative: “HB 303 would be a wonderful addition to attract new businesses and strengthen established businesses in the state. Lower Yellowstone Rural Electric Cooperative supports these bills on behalf of the membership of the cooperative and encourages you to pass them for the great State of Montana.”

Cary Hegreberg, president and CEO of Montana Bankers Associations: “I’m here representing the thousands of small businesses that our bankers around the state serve with commercial loans, deposit accounts, and other services….Any relief that small business in Montana can get will be of great benefit, and we strongly support this bill.”

Cynthia Johnson, farmer, rancher, and vice president of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation: “I speak in favor of HB 303 because of the positive impact to every business in Montana, but especially agriculture….We use a lot of equipment related to our business: tractors, combines, trucks….and we can’t do business without these.”

Tammy Johnson, executive director of Montana Mining Association: “This bill is about our valued associate members: our small businesses who sell everything from pipe, to PPE, to medical equipment….[HB 303] is very valuable for all of those members who support our producers in Montana, and we urge a due pass on this legislation.”

Bridger Mahlum, government relations director for the Montana Chamber of Commerce: “The Montana Chamber has been a strong advocate for the past two decades of lowering or eliminating the business equipment tax….This is a bread-and-butter issue for the many hundreds of members that the Montana Chamber represents, and we would strongly urge you to pass this bill.”

Nicole Rolff, senior director of governmental affairs for Montana Farm Bureau Federation: “We are pleased to be able to support HB 303 this morning….Farming and ranching is a capital intensive business. They often say we’re asset rich and cash poor, because there are a lot of tools that a farmer and rancher needs to run the business….We believe that this bill will encourage investment in two ways: one, reducing the tax burden on farmers and ranchers will allow a farmer to choose to add an additional piece of equipment to their lineup, or it may allow a rancher with a few more extra dollars in his pocket to go and reinvest that in a local community. It’s a win-win.”

Jan Rouse, government affairs specialist for NorthWestern Energy: “We see this bill as providing increased strength to our families, financially, and the economic benefits of businesses. Overall, as a part of this larger package, we see this bill as an optimistic and energetic view of our vision for the state of Montana going forward.”

Elaine Taylor, president and executive director of Montana Beverage Association: “[We’re] supporting HB 303 today and its benefits for businesses in Montana. On a personal note, I’d also like to support 303 for my family ranch on my side, as well as the family ranch on my husband’s side.”

Jason Todhunter, headwaters regional representative of Montana Logging Association: “It’s an exemption, not a threshold, that means everyone gets a little bit of tax relief. It’s going to be a really big deal for the small operators, but everybody will see something out of this, so we urge your support.”

Steve Wade, on behalf of the Montana Contractors Association: “Montana Contractors has memberships of all sizes, and HB 303 is an extremely beneficial piece to assisting those smaller companies that comprise our membership in one, being able to invest in their businesses, but also being able to invest in their employees.”

Jule Walker, field services specialist for the Montana School Boards Association: “Montana School Boards Association supports HB 303 for the targeted tax relief to small businesses. We appreciate that school districts will be reimbursed for that lost revenue. We respectfully request your support for HB 303.”

Gary Wiens, CEO of the Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association: “HB 303 would…help close the gap between Montana and its neighboring states in its efforts to attract important businesses to our state. The Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association supports these bills on behalf of the membership, which provide power in every county in Montana, and encourages you to pass them for the great State of Montana.”

Ronda Wiggers, representing Montana Coin Machine Operators, Montana Water Well Drillers Association, Helena Chamber of Commerce, and the National Federation of Independent Business: “When I sent these bills out ten days ago to the business associations that I represent, they unanimously asked me to come before you and support lowering their taxes….This money in the pockets of our small businesses being able to spend it on the things they need to keep their businesses going is very important for our local economies. The associations I represent would ask for a due pass.”

Governor Awaits Arrival of SB65 to Lift Mask Mandates

16 February 2021
Press Room
No comments

Governor Greg Gianforte signed on Wednesday the bill that he said had to pass in order for him to lift the mask mandate. It passed  both houses of the state legislature, and as of press time, an announcement was expected from the Governor  word about lifting the mask mandate.

SB-65 eliminates liability for businesses regarding contracting COVID-19, about which the Governor wanted assurances before lifting the mask mandate. Besides passage of HB-65, he also wants to make sure that vaccinations are being widely distributed in the state.

The bill passed final reading in the House on a 64-36 vote. It passed the Senate 32-18.

SB 65 was introduced by State Senator Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls.

Prior to the start of the Legislative session, Montana NFIB reported in their survey of business owners, 96.8 percent said protection from frivolous lawsuits due to COVID-19 should be a top legislative priority.

Besides addressing the potential liability of a wide range of owners or supervisors the bill addresses the issue of requiring vaccinations, stating, “If a federal or state statute, regulation, order, or public health guidance related to covid-19 recommends or requires a vaccine, an individual is not required to receive a vaccine and a person is not required to ensure employees or agents are vaccinated to meet the standard of care.”

A business or organization, health care provider or manufacturer cannot be held liable for causing death or injury of an individual unless it is through an act or omission that constitutes gross negligence, willful and wonton misconduct or intentional harm.

Concerns that the legislation could wind up boomeranging into forcing compliance with health orders or mandates, which are not currently enforceable, is allayed with specific wording that says a person “may assert as an affirmative defense” that they took reasonable measures consistent with a federal or state statue”, etc., but “This section may not be construed to impose liability on a person for failing to comply” with such laws or regulations.

At third reading, the draft showed that language had been struck out pertaining to “safe harbor” for situations in which the premises owner was in “compliance with regulations, executive order, or public health guidance,” indicating that that clause aimed at enforcing compliance had been rejected by legislators.

The bill further makes clear, “A government order, regulation, or PUBLIC HEALTH guidance related to covid-19 may not create and may not be construed to create a new cause of action against any person….”

It also states that a person is not required to ensure that others comply with mandates or orders to wear masks. Nor — even if it is mandated by one public entity or another — are they required to conduct temperature checks before allowing a person to enter a premises if the individual refuses to allow a check.

The bill is not retroactive, meaning it doesn’t shield businesses from lawsuits regarding situations that occurred earlier in the pandemic.

Billings Building Permits 02-15-21

16 February 2021
Press Room
No comments

Commercial

Chase Bank/NA, 2414 Central Ave, Com New Office/Bank, $1,000,000

Travis Peterson/Morton Buildings Inc, 3970 Pierce Pkwy, Com New Restaurant/Casino/Bar,  $2,500,000

Stapleton Property Investment/Yellowstone Basin Construction, 104 N 28th St, Com Remodel, $500,000

Capital Holdings Llc/Legacy Telecommunications, 970 S 29th St W, Com Remodel, $20,000

Montana Power Building Llc/Steve Monson Custom Builder, 113 N 28th St, Com Remodel, $40,000

Lutheran Retirement Home Inc/Jones Construction, Inc, 3940 Rimrock Rd, Com Remodel, $28,900

Boston, Troy E & Cathie/T.B. Construction, 1028 Broadwater Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $10,000   R

Shiloh Silver Screen Partners/Hardy Construction Co , 1001 Shiloh Crossing Blvd, Com Remodel, $100,000

G Rock Building Llc/Scott Peterson Construction, 2244 Grand Ave, Com Remodel, $15,000

Residential

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6125 Norma Jean Ln, Res New Accessory Structure, 44,928

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6027 Norma Jean Ln, Res New Accessory Structure              $35,904

Arneson, John D Z& Leah M, New Garage, 2904 38th St W, Res New Accessory Structure, $44,160

Estates Of Briarwood Llc/Cougar Construction,  2330 Glengarry Ln, Res New Single Family, $337,806

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6125 Norma Jean Ln, Res New Single Family, 374,480

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6027 Norma Jean Ln, Res New Single Family, $333,346

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 1638 Annas Garden Ln, Res New Accessory Structure, $33,792

Ron S Hill Living Trust/Diverse Construction Llc, 2113 Gleneagles Blvd, Res New Single Family, $278,216

Tim / Lorenda Frasca/Green Jeans Llc, 803 Siesta Ave, Res New Single Family, $266,280

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6103 Farmstead Ave, Res New Single Family,  $221,434

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6115 Farmstead Ave, Res New Single Family, $132,132

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 1638 Annas Garden Ln, Res New Single Family, $277,341

Abatements Incentivize Business

16 February 2021
Press Room
No comments

Since 1994, Yellowstone County and the City of Billings have been giving businesses a boost to start and to grow, through two different tax abatement programs. Originally, local businesses that received the benefit of those programs invested a grand total of $468,784,880 and in 2019 paid out $153,769,851 in salaries.

The fact that refineries, Phillips 66 and CHS, were among the 18 businesses approved for the abatement programs distorts somewhat the true impact of just the average size businesses. Factoring out those two investments, the remaining 16 businesses still invested a total of $70,971,703 and supported total payrolls of $45,997,078.

Total tax savings for all the participants was $3,823,817. Factoring out the refineries the tax savings were $234,629.

The data was presented this week to Yellowstone County Commissioners by Patrick Klugman, Senior Project Manager, Community Development with  Big Sky Economic Development.

The benefit of the programs is that they spawn economic growth in helping to entice new businesses and helping existing businesses to expand. Even with the tax breaks the businesses receive on new investment the dynamics of the economic process most often means the businesses wind up generating more in property tax revenues because of increasing property values and continued growth.

As a case in point, Klugman explained that one business whose program has expired – Motor Power Equipment —  made a capital investment of $2,530,00, which had a beginning market value of $1,900,000 but ended up with a market value of $5,400,00, which means the property increased in value $3,500,000. So while their beginning general tax bill was $42,555, they ended up with a tax bill in 2019 of $75,319 – an increase in tax revenue for local government of $32,764.

Under the tax abatement program and the final year of eligibility in 2018, the company saved $1,950 in property taxes, while paying out $4,630,992 in salaries. Now, of course their annual payroll continues and they are paying the full tax bill.

Other businesses that have expanded under the programs include American Steel, Aspen Air, Billings Flying Service, Dalco industries dba Teton Steel, D & M Enterprises (Auto Trim Design), Heights Eyecare, Home2Suites by Hilton, Home Science Tools, Jefferson Lines, Mercedes Benz of Billings, Montana Peterbilt, Northwest Scientific, Summit Resource International, Shipton’s Big R, TrueNorth Steel, Woods Powr Grip and Zoot Properties.

The 1988 state legislature launched the programs.

There is a 10-year program and a 5-year program.

The county began offering 10-year program in 1994 and the 5-year program in 2002. The city began offering both programs in 2005.

The 10-year program requires that 50 percent of the company’s revenues are generated from out of the state.

The five year program allows tax reductions on remodeling, reconstruction, and/or expansion of existing real property when a project makes improvements exceeding $500,000 to the property.  Property taxes on the value of the value of improvements may be reduced by 100 percent for the first five years, after which property returns to its full taxable value.

The 10-year program, called the New & Expanding Industry Tax Incentive Program, allows the taxable value of the real property to be reduced by 50% in the first 5 years. In years 6-10, the tax obligation incrementally increases by 10 percent a year and the savings decreases until the full 100% liability is required and the abatement expires in year 10. The 2017, the state legislature altered the program to allow local government discretion to reduce taxes by 50 percent or by 75 percent with an incremental 15 percent increase over the last five years.

Gravel Mine to Supply Bypass Construction Material Gets Approval

6 February 2021
Press Room
No comments

A gravel mine that will help build a portion of the Billings Bypass got a green light for operations from Yellowstone County Commissioners on Tuesday.

Located at the east end of Johnson Lane in Lockwood, JDW Industrial Park 2 applied for a zoning special review from Heavy Industrial to Open Cut Mining.   The application which expands the already existing Kembel Post Gravel Mine was approved, as was recommended by the Zoning Board,  with standard criteria regarding how it must operate.  The expansion  involves 43.3 acres and was presented by Jennifer Kondracki, acting on behalf of owners James and Diane Weaver.

The application said that they expect to be in operation for about five years as they provide gravel for the building of the Yellowstone River highway bridge and right-of-way to the east of the property.

Horseracers Present Plan for Metra

5 February 2021
Press Room
No comments

A proposal for a multi-use grandstand facility that would also accommodate horseracing in the same location as the recently removed grandstand was presented to county commissioners on Tuesday by Beth Koch, President of the Billings Turf Club.

Kock said that her organization was presenting the plan as an option for the Metra Park Master Plan for Metra Park’s Advisory Board and administrators, who are soliciting public input. County Commissioners acted to raze the historic grandstands late this fall along with a number of other older buildings at Metra Park, a county owned facility.

The proposed plan could bring horseracing back to Billings with a three-pronged approach of the county, Metra Park and the industry partnership and to help raise money for the project.

Kock advocated for the return of horseracing to Billings and Metra Park saying that at one time it was calculated that horseracing brought $4 million to the community ever year. It’s been ten years since Billings hosted any horseracing.

In 2021, there will be two race meets, one in Miles City and the other in Great Falls, for which the Board of Horseracing has provided $628,000, according to Koch. Koch said, “We could have gotten dates for Yellowstone County if there was a race track.” She went on to say that the Board of Horseracing wants to add another track.

Koch raises and trains horses which she races in Wyoming, where she said there are 1700 head of race horses, and where they will have 50 days of racing in 2021. Wyoming’s experience is something that should and could be duplicated in Montana, given the revenues expected to be generated through the advent of Historical Horseracing, which is expected to become a reality in Montana, believe many sport and gaming enthusiasts.

Groups Sue BLM

4 February 2021
Press Room
No comments

A coalition of groups has challenged five Bureau of Land Management oil and gas lease sales encompassing 112 parcels and 58,297 acres of public lands in central and eastern Montana and North Dakota. The lawsuit, filed in Great Falls, says the agency failed to fully assess the potential harm oil and gas extraction would have on the area’s groundwater and ignored cumulative climate impacts. 

 The challenged sales occurred between July 2019 and September 2020. Earthjustice and the Western Environmental Law Center represent WildEarth Guardians, Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity, Montana Environmental Information Center, and Waterkeeper Alliance in the litigation.

 The lawsuit follows a case filed in 2018 by some of the same groups in which a judge ruled the agency failed to adequately consider climate impacts and water supply risks from oil and gas drilling on 145,063 acres.