The U.S. Senate passed a $410-billion omnibus spending bill Tuesday that critics contend is loaded with wasteful earmarks. Both Montana Democratic Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester voted in favor of the legislation, which includes $77 million for the state and about $6.5 million for the Kalispell area. The list:
· Highway 93 bypass in Kalispell: These funds will go towards helping complete the bypass in Kalispell – $2,850,000
· City of Kalispell: These funds will go towards building a new testing and training center for law enforcement – $750,000
· Libby School District: These funds will support academic programs as the district saves for a new elementary school $381,000
· US Forest Service Land Acquisition North Swan River Valley: These funds will help protect Montana’s outdoor heritage- $2,000,000
· Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD) Clinic in Libby: These funds will go towards the work at the CARD Clinic – $190,000
· North Valley Hospital Foundation: These funds will go for facilities and equipment – $404,000
In a joint statement, the senators said they expected the measure to pass the U.S. House and the president to sign it into law by the end of the week.
“This bill is about bringing important funding to Montanan projects. It will help create and sustain good paying jobs and keep Montana’s economy moving forward,” Baucus said. “Jon and I made sure this bill was right for Montana- helping to build roads, protect our outdoor heritage and keep folks safe and healthy.”
“This bill will provide much needed and much deserved funding for projects in Montana,” said Tester, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This bill will help Montana take the next step toward rebuilding the economy from the ground up for the long haul.”