Montana Senator Steve Daines arrives early, leaves by back door to avoid groups in Missoula, Philipsburg and Hamilton waiting for ‘open forum’

Sen. Steve Daines https://www.daines.senate.gov/ stopped in Missoula for a quick tour of the Big Sky Brewing facility on Wednesday, where he declined to meet with the two-dozen people who had gathered to participate in what the senator’s office had billed as a meeting with "local officials, community leaders and constituents."

Daines arrived early and privately toured the brewing plant before leaving through the back door, bypassing those who believed the senator would be meeting with them in an open forum.

"I was under the impression we were going to get to meet with him today, per the press release he sent out inviting conversation with his constituents," said Missoula City Council member Julie Merritt. "That’s obviously being declined. I just saw him get in the car and drive away as he sneaked out the back door."

BY MARTIN KIDSTON

https://missoulacurrent.com/government/2018/02/daines-missoula-constituents/

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Senator Daines’ Early Exits Upset Constituents On Statewide Tour

Daines office issued a press release Tuesday saying the senator would appear at Missoula’s Big Sky Brewing today to discuss how last year’s tax reform legislation has benefited the business. The meeting was scheduled to begin at 11:30 am, but the senator was out the back door before the start time.

By Edward O’Brien

http://mtpr.org/post/senator-daines-early-exits-upset-constituents-statewide-tour

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Protesters, supporters greet Daines in Hamilton

What was supposed to be a western Montana tour by Sen. Steve Daines about the new tax bill evolved into a protest rally in Hamilton on Wednesday by those opposed to his proposal to release five Wilderness Study Areas from consideration in Montana.

Daines, R-Mont., dropped into Al’s Cycles on U.S. Highway 93 at 12:25 p.m., which was about an hour earlier than what his schedule showed. His staff said they were running ahead of schedule, both in Missoula and Hamilton.

Dan Harper, who is a member of the Back Country Horsemen, was upset the meeting started and ended before it was supposed to begin at 1:15 p.m.

EVE BYRON [email protected]

http://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_9586e2d3-fa7d-5697-8cbb-a3a152689a85.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

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Daines calls Anaconda Sportsman’s Club, Hellgate Hunters and Anglers ‘green decoys’

Daines did not publicly announce he was going to visit Philipsburg to discuss the legislation, but in addition to supporters, about 15 people, including Underwood, showed up to voice concerns about what the legislation would mean for southwest Montana.

As Alec Underwood talked with Sen. Steve Daines Wednesday about Daines’ proposal to remove Wilderness Study Area designations in Montana, he was taken aback when Daines referred to two prominent sporting organizations as "fronts … green decoys."

Underwood, who is a field representative for the Montana Wildlife Federation, said Daines was referring to the Anaconda Sportsman’s Club and the Missoula-based Hellgate Hunters and Anglers.

Underwood told Daines that he hunts in the Sapphire WSA, and that the "green decoys" remark "hit me pretty hard."

SUSAN DUNLAP [email protected]

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/daines-calls-anaconda-sportsman-s-club-hellgate-hunters-and-anglers/article_b183d6c7-dd57-5ade-b791-b588f226ad36.html

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Daines tours Montana breweries, timber mills and businesses to tout tax bill

DAVID ERICKSON [email protected]

http://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/daines-tours-montana-breweries-timber-mills-and-businesses-to-tout/article_81628303-c07f-5b12-a521-d3d88c3b289a.html