Page 6 - Flathead Beacon // 10.7.15

DATA POINTS
55% YES
45% NO
THE GOOD
OPEN, FOR NOW
Congress avoided a government shutdown by passing a stopgap funding bill last week. But there is no assurance that there won’t be yet another shutdown in December.
THE BAD
BEAR ATTACKS
Two separate incidents occurred last week involving bears attacking humans, including a fatal attack by
a black bear west of Kalispell. Wildlife officials are warning residents to remove food attractants and to be aware of the animals in the outdoors.
DO YOU AGREE WITH THE DECISION TO INCREASE THE SPEED LIMIT TO 80 MPH ON SOME INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS?
TOTAL VOTES
235
Employees laid off in Montana’s timber industry since March. Tricon Timber in St. Regis laid off nearly 90 employees last week, citing the tumultuous American timber market.
“Preventing a government shutdown should be the easiest part of Congress’ job, yet we avoided it by the skin of our teeth.”
Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester after Congress passed a short-term budget bill to keep the government funded through Dec. 11.
266
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT PUBLIC LAND ACCESS FOLLOWING THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND’S EXPIRATION?
TOTAL VOTES
“The delisting process must become more straightforward so we can focus our collective resources on species that may need more attention.”
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock testifying before a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
on the Endangered Species Act protections. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has removed wolves and grizzly bears in Montana and Wyoming from federal protection in recent years only to see lawsuits restore their protected status.
50%
86
80
69% YES
31% NO
DO YOU CONSIDER HOUSING AFFORDABLE IN THE FLATHEAD?
TOTAL VOTES
The new speed limit, in miles per hour, on interstates in Montana. The new law went into effect Oct. 1. The new law will not affect state highway speed limits but will increase speeding fines on all highways.
210
6
OCTOBER 7, 2015
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FLATHEADBEACON.COM
THIS WEEK’S POLLS FROM
FLATHEADBEACON.COM
29% YES
71% NO *READER POLLS ARE NOT SCIENTIFIC
Americans who say they disapprove of the job the Supreme Court is doing, the highest level of disapproval since Gallup has been tracking the statistic over the past 15 years.