Letters to the editor Aug. 31
Blackfoot Clearwater Act
I want to thank Senator Tester for his continued support of our public lands. A few weeks ago he introduced legislation that addressed the 100-year old, inefficient BLM oil and gas non-competitive leasing system. More recently, he introduced the Badger-Two Medicine Protection Act. This legislation builds on decades of important work to permanently protect the Badger-Two Medicine area and honor Blackfeet culture and their connection to the land. With the passage of the bill, this spectacular place will not be susceptible to industrialization and will protect wildlife, clean water and recreational opportunities for future generations.
Tester also continues to support Montana-made solutions like the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act, a collaborative solution with diverse interests near Seeley Lake. In this difficult time when things sometimes seem upside down, good things still are happening.
As a local resident who enjoys getting out on public lands and appreciates wild places, I'm thankful that Senator Tester has our back. The University of Montana’s 2020 Public Lands Survey found that 79% of Montanans support protecting the Badger-Two Medicine’s cultural and wildlife values. I encourage Senator Daines and Representative Gianforte to support this unique area and the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act. Our public lands deserve multiple champions.
—Jan Metzmaker, Whitefish
Support SNAP
As the coronavirus rages on across our state, it has caused yet another crisis – child hunger. Thousands of families with kids right here in Montana are now dealing with unemployment, rising food prices, eviction and hunger. And yet Congress continues to fail these children by leaving nutrition assistance out of the coronavirus relief package.
Hunger is a problem we can actually fix. Increasing SNAP benefits by 15% would mean an additional $25 per month per person. Just $25 per month for a child would allow families to buy the nutritional foods they need to grow and thrive. And extending Pandemic EBT would further ensure kids get the food they need. This program helps families who rely on school meals get the resources they need even if there are disruptions to the upcoming school year, which some districts are already experiencing despite plans to reopen.
Children need this food, and our state needs healthy, nourished, strong children. I am strongly urging Sens. Daines and Tester to support SNAP and P-EBT in the final package.
—Lisa Davis, Senior Vice President of No Kid Hungry