Denny Sponsors Tax Increase Prevention Act
Denny sponsored legislation which would keep more hard-earned tax dollars in the pockets of Montana families and small businesses by permanently extending tax relief measures originally passed in 2001 and 2003. The current House Democrat budget would let the tax relief provisions expire, leading to the largest tax increase in American history. “At a time when our economy is weakening, the last thing we should do is raise taxes in order to feed more government spending in Washington,” said Rehberg. “Without this legislation, the average tax bill for someone living in Montana will increase by more than $2,600 a year. Less than a week away from tax day, I think Montanans would agree they’re already paying the federal government enough.” (Read more...)

Rehberg to Lead Canadian Trade Mission
Denny will lead several Montana businesses and the Montana World Trade Center (MWTC) on a trade mission to Edmonton, Alberta, May 29 and 30. The Greater Edmonton Area (GEA) is experiencing an economic boom due to increased energy production. “This is a great opportunity for Montana businesses to explore the potential for increased exports to the Edmonton area. Approximately $40-$70 billion dollars is expected to be invested in Alberta’s energy industry over the next seven years, and that investment could open a lot of doors for Montana’s businesses.” Rehberg will be making his fourth trade mission with MWTC over the past four years. (Read more...)

Denny Secures Beaverhead-Deerlodge Forest Plan Comment Extension
United State Forest Service Regional Forester Tom Tidwell agreed to Denny’s request for an extension of the public comment period on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest management plan. “This extension will allow Montanans to provide sufficient input on how this area should be managed for the next 20 years. Extending the public comment period is a sensible step, now it’s up to the Forest Service to take the comments and keep them in mind when developing a plan,” said Rehberg. (Read more...)

Other News
Rehberg, Baucus, Tester Back Glacier Commorative Coin Bill - Proceeds to Benefit Glacier Fund
Rehberg Meets with Montana American Legion to Discuss Veterans Affairs Issues
Rehberg, UM & MSU Announce Scholarship Offer for Montana Congressional Art Competition Winner

Rehberg votes with GOP, but not always
Missoulian - Rehberg says this snapshot of his voting record shouldn't surprise anyone. The four-term congressman says he ran as a conservative and, obviously, a Republican, so he's going to side with Republicans on most issues. But he says he'll vote against them if their position isn't what's best for Montana. (Read more...)

Related: Montana lawmakers break ranks more than average (Billings Gazette)

Bakken Formation oil field has up to 4.3 billion barrels
Great Falls Tribune - A new federal study estimates the Bakken Formation in Montana and North Dakota contains from 3 billion to 4.3 billion barrels of recoverable oil, a figure 25 times greater than the 151 million barrels originally estimated in 1999. (Read more...)

Smaller airports to employ security screeners
Great Falls Tribune - "This is a good call for the safety of the passengers and the airport employees," Rehberg said. "However, I'm going to continue to hold TSA accountable for implementing the necessary steps in a timely manner." (Read more...)

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Rehberg: Champion for Small Business
The Western Word - Congratulations to Congressman Denny Rehberg for receiving the “Spirit of Enterprise” Award from the United States Chamber of Commerce for his voting record on business issues in 2007. (Read more...)

Week of 4/14/08 -
Votes expected Monday – Thursday

Senate and House Farm Bill Conferees will meet to negotiate a final Farm Bill package. The current Farm Bill extension expires on April 18th.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi has decided the House will NOT consider the important issues our country faces such as rising gas prices, or updating FISA, but rather proceed with general debate on H.R. 2537, the Beach Protection Act of 2007.

Other legislation expected to be debated includes:

--H.R. 2634 - Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation of 2007
--H.R. 5719 - Taxpayer Assistance and Simplification Act of 2008
--H.R. 5715 - The Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008

Week of 4/21/08 –

Votes expected Tuesday - Thursday

The last survey asked you how you preferred to reduce the Federal Deficit? 58 percent of you preferred reduced spending, while only 4 percent supported raising taxes. The remaining 38 percent had a different ideas including specific programs to cut or taxes to increase. I believe that Montanans pay enough in federal taxes and that the federal government needs to find ways to spend less. Here's some of what you had to say:

• Keep military strong, use our natural resources, stop handouts to the free loaders!
• I know Montana needs some of the money from earmarks, but there are too many dollars wasted on ridiculous projects and studies that are unprofitable.
• Let's see....if we need to balance our own household budget, we REDUCE SPENDING even if it hurts! Where is the common sense in our government?
• I believe that not extending the Bush tax cuts for the rich is the best way to balance the budget
• The amount of pork barrel spending has become a contest for everybody in congress and Senate. So to reduce spending is the obvious answer. We can live without help from the government for a while.
• I applaud your support for a moratorium on "earmarking". This practice is clearly undemocratic in that, among other reasons, these special interest funds are buried in unrelated legislation and are not subject to open, pro-and-con debate.

The TVs for Vets campaign will replace existing television sets at Ft. Harrison medical center and the outlying VA clinics with 77 new TVs.  The new televisions are ADA compliant, energy efficient, and will be ready for the transition to digital signal. For more information on how you can assist this effort contact Daniel Koehl at 406-459-9611.

ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT!
Deadline April 15

Attention High School Artists! Enter the Congressional Art Contest by April 15 and win scholarships and a trip to Washington, DC. Winning artwork will be displayed for one year in U.S. Capitol Building – which receives more than 10 million visitors a year. For more info on how to enter visit: http://www.house.gov/rehberg/art. Contest is open to Montana high school students only.

Rehberg Invites Montana High School Students to Apply for Congressional Page Program