McDonald: Rehberg Must Prevent Campaign Contributions from Influencing Policy Decisions

Calls for Erik Iverson's Recusal from policy decisions tied to Solicited Contributions

 

Today the Montana Democratic Party called on Rep. Dennis Rehberg to ask his Chief of Staff, Erik Iverson to avoid a potential and obvious conflict of interest by agreeing not to raise campaign funds from anyone influenced by Rehberg’s office.

 

Yesterday, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) ruled that Iverson can continue to serve as Rehberg’s chief of staff if he is elected chairman of the Montana Republican Party next month.

 

The Chairman of the Montana Democratic Party today called on Rehberg to demand that Iverson recuse himself from any decision in the Congressman’s office relating to any individual or company from whom the Montana Republican Party solicits contributions.

 

Citing Iverson’s dual roles—involvement in key policy decisions as Rehberg’s Chief of Staff and his intention to solicit donations for the Montana Republican party—MDP Chair Dennis McDonald says Erik Iverson should additionally pledge not to solicit contributions from any entity over which Rep. Rehberg has influence. More.

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Democratic Leader Says GOP Hiding Intent to Give Big Tax Give-Aways to Multinational Corps

 

Ordinary Homeowners, Main Street Businesses Left Out of Republican Tax Plans

House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Bob Bergren of Havre this week vowed that Democrats will continue to make historic tax cuts for homeowners and small businesses their top priority in the coming Special Session.  He also blasted Republicans’ for concealing efforts to advance  millions in tax give-aways to multinational corporations and wealthy out-of-state vacation home owners.

“Republican leaders Mike Lange and Scott Sales have consistently blocked meaningful tax reform that would benefit working families throughout the 2007 legislative session.  The tax-cut proposal they are now pushing is all about giving tax breaks to undeserving multi-national corporations and wealthy vacation homeowners,” said Rep. Bergren. 

“The true intent of their tax plan is to give huge tax breaks to Exxon, who is gouging Montanans at the pump; to BNSF, who is gouging our family farmers and ranchers at the railhead, and to Blixseth and Charles Schwab, who are throwing up gated communities across Montana.”  More.

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Tester calls on Mercer to resign

 

 

This week, the Washington Post reported that William Mercer was violating federal law by serving both as Montana’s U.S. Attorney and as a high-ranking official at the Department of Justice.  Instead of abiding by federal law, Mercer had the law changed. 

 

Sen. Jon Tester issued the following statement:

 

“For months, I gave Bill Mercer the benefit of the doubt that he was shooting straight with me and with the people of Montana.  Mr. Mercer has been given every opportunity to do right by the people he represents; he has passed on that chance too many times.  Mr. Mercer was operating outside federal law, so he had the law changed.  That might work in Alberto Gonzales’ Justice Department, but it’s not how we do business in Montana.  He should resign his post as Montana’s U.S. Attorney immediately.” More.

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Rehberg Rakes In Oil Company Cash As Gas Prices Soar

 

With gas prices setting new records most Montanans would not be pleased to learn that Rep. Dennis Rehberg has been among the largest recipients of oil and gas industry campaign contributions.  In return for these campaign contributions, Rehberg has made sure to reward the oil companies while voting against efforts to provide relief at the pump.

 

Rehberg has received at least $215,000 from the oil and gas industry—more money than he recieves from any other industry.

 

At the same time, Rehberg has served the needs of his friends in the oil and gas industry rather than the citizens of Montana.

Earlier this year, he voted against H.R. 6, the  Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act—legislation that seeks to reduce our dependence on oil and protect the environment and end the needless squander of billions in taxpayer handouts to Big Oil.

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Baucus Summit Highlights Jobs, Education, Energy and Technology for Montana

 

 

The Great Falls Tribune editorial page summarized the results of the 2007 Economic Development Summit at Montana Tech in Butte this week, which was attended by some 2,500 leaders in business, government, labor and nonprofit organizations.

 

So, if we had to sum up a high-powered conference on our economic future in a few words, those words would be: education, globalization, energy and technology. And did we mention education?

 

Our congratulations to Montana Tech, Sen. Max Baucus and the rest of the delegation, Gov. Schweitzer and Headwaters RC&D for another great conference. More.