Congressman Troy Downing in Town
Author: Nancy Marks, MT43 News reporter
Congressman Troy Downing in Town
MT43 News Staff Reporter
Broadwater County Commissioners grilled Representative Troy Downing during a 30-minute meeting Wednesday prior to the regular Commission meeting. With gigantic changes in government departments and spending, the commissioners asked Downing where he was with county issues such as internet broadband installation, payment in lieu of taxes(PILT) funds, exempt wells in new subdivisions and rising energy costs for residents.
Commissioner Lindsey Richtmyer asked about where funds already allocated for Internet Broadband installation stood, Downing said he favored bills in Congress dealing with specific projects and that they would be dealt with in a timely manner. People interested in where funding now stands for Montana should check his website: downinghouse.gov.
Richtmyer prefaced a question about exempt wells. She said Broadwater County has been ground zero concerning the controversy among developers and ranchers’ water rights. She wondered what his position is on the subject. He pointed out as a former Montana Land Commissioner, he was very familiar with the situation: “The only solution is that a law passes in which everyone walks away unhappy, not just one party wins and the other loses,” he said.
Commissioner Jesse Swenson asked the Congressman about what effect the federal changes in funding would have on Payment in Lieu of Taxes. PILT monies fund many of Broadwater County’s infrastructure and services costs. Downing said he does not sit on the committee, so he has no vote, but said he would look into the matter.
He did expand on Commissioner Richtmyer’s question about the county’s and state’s need for more energy, especially considering the question about shut shutdown of the Colstrip coal-fired electric plant. Downing touted modular nuclear-fired plants as a viable option to coal power. “With Artificial Intelligence coming online, the demand for energy is going up exponentially. That puts the small user in line for much higher energy costs. I think private and public electric projects, plus an increase in permitting, will help alleviate some of that pressure on the small consumer,” he said.
Many county residents attended the meeting, some with written questions for the Congressman. He chose not to take questions from the public, citing a short timeline for his visit. He did take one question from Ed Regan, who asked about the status of the Secure Rural Schools Act. Downing said he did not know, but would look into it.
He suggested residents watch for a town hall meeting in Great Falls, soon to be announced. The meeting will include stakeholders such as Farm Bureau, Montana Farmers Union, Montana Stockgrowers and he hoped, the US Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins of Texas and the US Secretary of the Interior, Doug Bergam. He asked meeting attendees to reach out to either his Billings or Helena offices for specific questions.
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: Montana Congressional District 2 Representative Troy Downing met with commissioners last week before their regular meeting. From left: Commissioners Debi Randolph, Jesse Swenson, Lindsey Richtmyer and Downing.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
