State of Montana Archives: on Technology

Steve Bullock: Emergency education grants include technology infrastructure

John Mues: Invest in broadband and education to create jobs in MT

He listed job creation as his #1 issue saying there are "unprecedented levels of economic inequality" in Montana. He said infrastructure and broadband improvements were needed. And he said there needs to be investments in the education system to make sure teachers are paid what they deserve.

Jon Tester: Lead the world in clean technology

Matt Rosendale (R): No. "The climate does change. The question is how much impact do humans have on it & how much impact can we have on it by dramatically imposing draconian restrictions on our businesses."

Jon Tester (D): Yes. Climate change is real & human activity significantly contributes. "The rest of the world is together on this. We've got an incredible opportunity to create jobs & lead the world in clean technology."

Q: Support government support for renewable energy?

Matt Rosendale (R): No. Renewable power is a "grand idea" but government shouldn't subsidize.

Jon Tester (D): Yes. Supports tax credits, expedited permitting, utility renewable mandates, & carbon capture credits for coal plants.

Jon Tester: 2008 stimulus was necessary; invest more in infrastructure

Matt Rosendale (R): No. Cut government & return money in tax cuts.

Jon Tester (D): Yes. 2008 stimulus was necessary. Need to invest more in infrastructure.

Jon Tester: Repealing Net Neutrality handed Internet to corporations

Matt Rosendale (R): No public statements found.

Jon Tester (D): Yes. "Repealing Net Neutrality handed our Internet to large corporations." Decision "hurts commerce, small business, education, & healthcare."

Steve Bullock: Create jobs by investing in roads and bridges

HB 5 Legislative Summary:

• $39M: New Montana Heritage Center - capital project
• $122M: Montana University System - capital projects
• $16M: Local match for Regional Water Authorities
• $28M: state endowment appropriations for water/wastewater
• $29M: technology account appropriations for school facilities

John Bohlinger: Digital privacy threatened by warrantless NSA invasions

Bohlinger said his effort would send a message to federal agencies even if the Montana Constitution would not bind them. It takes nearly 50,000 signatures from registered voters to change the Constitution. Bohlinger said he will lead the signature-gathering effort.

The announcement came a day after many Silicon Valley leaders escalated pressure on President Barack Obama to curb US government surveillance programs that vacuum personal information off the Internet and threaten the technology industry's financial livelihood. Bohlinger said he wants Montana to lead the nation in protecting electronic communications from government spies.

John Edward Walsh: Digital privacy threatened by warrantless NSA invasions

Steve Bullock: Put state government spending online, in searchable database

While there are some things I can accomplish without your active engagement and partnership, there are other areas where we need each other if we are going to make progress.

Crafting a budget is one of those areas where we need each other. Montana is the envy of other states: our unemployment is lower and our economy sounder. While nearly every other state's budget is awash in red ink, thanks to good fiscal management, Montana has amassed a half-billion-dollar budget surplus.

Jon Tester: Stimulus for Going-to-the-Sun National Park roads

Rehberg described the stimulus as a failure. "You don't spend $1 trillion and hope to create an asset. I don't think government should be picking winners and losers. Government should be creating an environment of liberating Main Street."

Dennis Rehberg: Montana solutions: rural transportation infrastructure

Tester dismissed claims that he's sided with Obama and the Democrats on the vast majority of issues. He cited the auto industry bailout, proposals to regulate farm dust and youth labor and the removal of wolves from the endangered list as instances when he's gone against members of his party.

Rehberg spoke of the need for "Montana solutions" and declared his support for government assistance to ensure rural areas of the state are provided adequate highways and air and train service.

Judy Martz: Eliminate geography as a business issue, via E-Government

The Advanced Telecommunications Infrastructure Act passed in the last legislative session has helped accelerate the growth of high-speed telecommunications infrastructure throughout the state. The tax credits issued under the Telecommunications Act will keep us in the forefront.

Elimination of geography as a business issue means more and better jobs for Montanans statewide. With our new E-Government initiative, citizens will be able to dial up to find out about the expenditures of their tax dollars, register to vote, and obtain licenses and permits online.