Native Americans

Max Baucus:  Doing what’s right for Montana’s Tribal Members

As chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, Montana’s senior U.S. Senator, Max Baucus was a key author of the Jobs Bill- working to ensure the economic recovery legislation was right for Montana. The Jobs Bill will bring more than $600 million dollars to Montana and create or sustain more than 11,000 jobs.

Max made sure the bill increased the Tribal Tax-Exempt Bonding Authority to $2 billion and protected tribes from frivolous IRS audits.

In the bill, Max also permanently updated the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to protect Native Americans from Medicaid and CHIP enrollment fees and cost sharing.

The bill also contains $11 million for Montana Tribes under the Native American Housing Block Grant Program. This program, authorized by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, will help tribal members buy homes.

The Jobs Bill Provisions for Tribal Communities include an estimated:

  • $310 million for Indian Reservation Roads
  • $143 million for BIA construction, Road and Bridge Maintenance
  • $510 million for housing under the Native American Housing Block Grants
  • $10 million for Community Development Block Grants
  • $20 million for the Housing Improvement Program
  • $225 million for Correctional Facilities on Tribal Lands Program
  • $21 million in grants to Indian Tribal Governments
  • $17 million for BIA Construction and Detention Center Rehabilitation
  • $1 billion for COPS Hiring Grants
  • $85 million Indian Health Service for Health Information Technology
  • $415 million for Indian health facilities including maintenance, improvement and sanitation facilities construction
  • $268 million for BIA school rehabilitation or replacement
  • $100 million for Impact Aid
  • $10 million for a Tribal set-aside for Head Start
  • $60 million for Rural Water Projects
  • $1.6 billion for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds of which 1/3 is to be available to state, local, and tribal governments for qualifying projects
  • $10 million for the Indian Guaranteed Loan Program
  • $2 billion for tax exempt Tribal Economic Development Bonds
  • $8 million for Community Development Financial Institutions for Native CDFI applicants
  • $10 billion for New Markets Tax Credits for Tribes and low-income communities

 

There are several resources available for organizations interested in receiving some of this vital funding. The websites recovery.gov and recovery.mt.gov are excellent places to start.  Baucus staff can also offer support including help contacting the appropriate agency or department and providing support during the funding process.