Economy
Montana sees $72 million of spending in state from ‘Yellowstone’ TV series
Season four of “Yellowstone,” which was filmed near Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley, brought in $72 million of qualified spending to the state in 2021. The report produced by the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research showed that Montana’s economy with “Yellowstone” resulted in 527 more jobs, $25.3 million in annual personal […]
Missoula Organization of Realtors: Buyers paying cash, supply at “all time low”
Last year, one in every five homes in Missoula sold for cash, and supply is at an all time low, according to the Missoula Organization of Realtors. Pressure continues to build in the housing market in communities across Montana, but few solutions — more homes — are coming on line in Missoula compared to the […]
U.S. lawmakers look for path ahead on billions in restaurant, small business aid
WASHINGTON — Restaurants and other businesses that have survived more than two years of COVID-19 restrictions could see an infusion of federal dollars in the coming months, as long as U.S. lawmakers reach final agreement on a multibillion-dollar package. The U.S. House has approved a bill with $42 billion for restaurants and $13 billion for a hard-hit […]
Pause on federal student loan repayments extended by Biden through Aug. 31
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration Wednesday announced its plans to extend the pause on federal student loan repayments until the end of August. “I recognized in recently extending the COVID-19 national emergency, we are still recovering from the pandemic and the unprecedented economic disruption it caused,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “If loan payments […]
New federal COVID aid delayed after U.S. Senate Republicans insist on immigration debate
WASHINGTON — Members of Congress have departed their offices and hearing rooms on Capitol Hill for a two-week spring recess without passing additional funding to combat the coronavirus, amid a stalemate over immigration policy. Despite reaching a bipartisan agreement Monday for $10 billion for testing, treatments and vaccines, much of it needed in states, the U.S. Senate […]
Montana pot industry sees strongest month yet in March
Montana medical and recreational marijuana sales are approaching ambitious projections from legalization supporters through the first quarter of 2022, the first year in which recreational dispensaries have been legally allowed to operate in the state, industry supporters say. The two halves of the marijuana sector have totaled $72.9 million in sales from January 1, the […]
U.S. Senate strikes bipartisan agreement on $10 billion in COVID-19 funding
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate reached a bipartisan deal on pandemic aid funding Monday, settling on $10 billion for added testing, treatment and vaccines. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, and Utah GOP Sen. Mitt Romney released separate statements Monday afternoon announcing the compromise, though Schumer was disappointed negotiators didn’t reach an […]
Most emergency housing aid went to low-income Americans
Low-income Americans received more than 80% of federal emergency rental assistance money distributed last year, according to data released this month by the U.S. Treasury Department. Some 2.47 million households received $12.6 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance program assistance in 2021, the data shows. Nearly 64% of the aid went to households earning 30% or […]
Biden budget plan would levy minimum tax on billionaires, boost national security
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden sent a new $5.8 trillion budget request to Congress on Monday that calls on lawmakers to institute a minimum tax on billionaires and boost spending on national security. The proposal, which lawmakers will undoubtedly change, asks Congress to provide $795 billion in defense funding, a roughly 4% increase, and $915 billion […]
Panelists: Housing crisis hamstrings economic growth in Montana
The lack of housing in Montana is stifling economic development because potential employees can’t find places to live, so even businesses that offer high salaries and want to expand can’t grow. That’s according to a couple of panelists who presented this week as part of a housing affordability panel to the Local Government Committee of […]
Return of earmarks a boon for members of Congress facing midterm battles
WASHINGTON — Vulnerable lawmakers from throughout the country are set to rake in federal cash for home-state projects after a major spending bill included the first round of earmarks in more than a decade. Members from both political parties began requesting thousands of projects last year when U.S. House and Senate leaders resurrected what’s called […]
U.S. Senate Republicans attack Biden on energy costs, regulations after new inflation report
Nebraska’s Deb Fischer and fellow U.S. Senate Republicans slammed President Joe Biden on Thursday for the sharp rise in consumer prices, calling for policy shifts to increase U.S. energy supply, roll back regulations and curb spending. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday the consumer price index rose nearly 8% in February over the same month in […]