Government News & Events

"This Initiative is not just about improving the way we produce energy in this country, it’s about improving our national security, our economic well-being and our overall quality of life."

The council, created by Gov. Marc Racicot by executive order in 1994 to help groups and agencies resolve conflicts and reach consensus on issues, hasn’t made enough money in consulting fees to continue.

Angus King, former independent governor of Maine, was among 17 prominent politicians who met recently to seek solutions to the partisan acrimony that has so poisoned national affairs.

The numbers are staggering. More than one in four of America’s nearly 600,000 bridges need significant repairs or are burdened with more traffic than they were designed to carry, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Montana’s governor showed an appalling lack of leadership last week when he summarily rejected an agreement on water quality between his state and Wyoming.

Many impediments conspire against innovation, such as government’s defensiveness and risk-averse organizational and political leaders. Not understanding citizens’ expectations and the shortage of courageous leaders willing to bear the burden and responsibilities of innovation are other issues.

Maine and others like Connecticut, Florida, Montana and King County in Washington n were drawn to the highly rated commercial paper issued by an SIV called Mainsail II that was operated by British hedge fund Solent Capital Partners.

Among the topics covered in the handbook are Montana’s open meetings law, code of ethics, board liability, information on wrongful discharge, discrimination, and use of Robert’s Rules of Order and motions.

Earlier this month, Bloomberg Markets magazine identified Montana and Florida as states where some public money is invested in risky funds.

The story also notes that Montana has 465-million dollars tied to SIV’s. That’s about one-fifth of Montana’s short term investment program.