Bipartisan effort

The bipartisan public works bill backed by Senator Jon Tester got the support of 13 Republicans in the House and 19 Republicans in the Senate. The bill will provide an estimated $3.9 billion in new infrastructure spending, about $3,650 per capita, to Montana.

But sadly, Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Matt Rosendale were not among lawmakers who supported this legislation that will greatly benefit Montana. But you wait and see, they will eventually take credit for the improvements that will be made. As these two frequently demonstrate, politics is more important than representing what is in the best interest of Montana citizens.

The bulk of the funds are allocated for rebuilding and repairing highways, bridges, public transit infrastructure and airports. In addition, $40 million will help the Blackfeet Tribe improve water quality and sanitation, $271 million will go toward rural water systems, and $100 million is set aside to rehabilitate the deteriorating Milk River Project that supplies irrigation and drinking water to much of the Hi-Line.

Thank you, Senator Tester.

Barbara Palmer, Whitefish