Senators announce federal funding allotments

Northwest Montana News Network

Montana is set to receive more than $22 million in federal funding to upgrade water systems across the state, Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced last week in a press release from Baucus' office.

A portion of the $4.785 million for 24 Montana projects will go toward improving the Greater Woods Bay Wastewater Collection System on Flathead Lake. The amount the Woods Bay project receives will be determined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The rest of the money will go to specific Montana projects that supply drinking water and manage wastewater across the state.

The senators also announced last week that Montana would received more than $77 million in an upcoming appropriations bill.

The appropriations bill, slated to be voted on in Washington D.C. this week, also included language to protect the "Last Best Place" slogan.

Baucus' provision would prohibit using any funds to approve the trade mark — effectively killing any chance of the slogan being trademarked. Baucus has included similar provisions in past appropriations bills. U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg also supported the provision.

"For years, Max and I have successfully fought in the House and the Senate to ensure the exclusive rights to this uniquely Montana slogan won't be given to just one person," Rehberg said in a press release last week. "And this year is no different."