Respects tribal sovereignty and supports trust reform
I respect tribal sovereignty and believe that government-to-government relationships are a priority in working with Indian Country. As a dryland farmer, a Montanan, and someone committed to giving a voice to all of our citizens in this state,
I join my friends in Indian Country in my desire to protect our lands, air and water. I want to ensure self-determination and more opportunities for Tribal citizens through better education, housing, health care, economic development and trust reform.
Source: Campaign website, www.testerforsenate.com, "Issues"
Aug 15, 2006
Clean air & water are Montana's treasured resources
Clean air and water are two of Montana's most treasured resources. We need to make sure these important resources are not only maintained, but improved.
Our dream is for our children's grandchildren to be able to wake each day to the beautiful place we call home-the great state of Montana."
Source: Campaign website, www.TesterForSenate.com, "Issues"
Dec 25, 2005
Keep open access to public lands
Hunting and fishing are an important part of the quality of life we enjoy in Montana. We should never let just a few have access to our public lands, rivers and streams.
Rather, we can find ways to respect private land owners' property rights while allowing for all Montanans to celebrate in the beauty of Montana's outdoors.
Source: Campaign website, www.TesterForSenate.com, "Issues"
Dec 25, 2005
Voted YES on prohibiting eminent domain for use as parks or grazing land.
To prohibit the involuntary acquisition of farmland & grazing land by government for parks, open space, or similar purposes. Exceptions include takings for use by:
public utility
road or other right of way
an aqueduct or pipeline
a prison or hospital
national disaster
Proponents support voting YES because:
Sen. CRAIG: "Eminent domain was elevated greatly as an issue following a highly controversial 2005 Supreme Court decision known as Kelo vs. The City of New London. Since that decision, we as a nation have allowed state & local governments to utilize eminent domain to force landowners to yield their property to private development. Farmers and ranchers in particular have become vulnerable to state and local governments taking their property for economic development or open space designations. My amendment is a very targeted amendment. It addresses only cases in which private working agricultural land is taken and turned into public open space."
Opponents recommend voting NO because:
Sen. HARKIN: This amendment doesn't reach the Kelo decision [because Kelo was about taking open space for private development]. Under this amendment they can still do that.
CRAIG. Oh, I disagree totally. We reach a portion of Kelo that is now most frequently impacting farms and ranches, and that is open space for open space.
HARKIN. The amendment has the Federal Government telling a local government what it can and cannot do within its own jurisdiction.
Letter from the National Conference of State Legislatures & US Conference of Mayors:
"This amendment is not only ill-advised, but it is also unconstitutional [because it] preempts state & local land use laws. The 5th Amendment expressly permits the taking of private property for public use provided just compensation is provided to the owner. The power of eminent domain has always been, and should remain, a state and local power."
