A study recently released by the Tax Foundation found that Montana has the eighth-best business tax climate in the nation.  That top 10 status is due in large part to Montana’s lack of a sales tax, according to leading in-state business organization that bills itself as “the driving force in promoting a favorable business climate.

The eighth-best ranking is one that the Montana Chamber of Commerce says is something they’ll “promote the heck out of” when attracting companies to do business here, but a ranking that would be lost if Montana instituted former Congressman Rick Hill’s sales tax.

According to a story in Lee Newspapers, Webb Brown, President of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, said the Tax Foundation gives a lot of credit in its rankings to states that don't have certain major taxes, such as general sales taxes or individual income taxes.

Helena, Mont. -- Dennis Rehberg’s supporters tonight are pushing a new GOP poll about Montana’s 2012 Senate race.  But a second poll released today---conducted by the same GOP polling firm—tells a much different story.

When it comes to insider trading, millionaire Congressman Dennis Rehberg is telling Montanans exactly what he wants them to hear:

“I got rid of all my stocks back in 1996 because I never wanted to be charged with any kind of a—a charge like that,” Rehberg told KMMS radio in Bozeman earlier this month (audio available online in Part 3 HERE).

But reality shows a different story.  According to his latest personal financial disclosure form, Congressman Rehberg still owns between $95,000 and $250,000 in market investments [Rehberg Personal Financial Disclosure, 2010].

Montana Democratic Party Executive Director Ted Dick released the following statement in response to Rick Hill's running mate announcement:

“Republicans need to decide if they think their strongest candidates are a lobbyist-turned-Congressman-turned-lobbyist and a state legislator who has voted six times to raise his pay, despite the fact that his company is making millions off of federal earmarks.  With his record of raising taxes on small businesses and working families and continued support of a sales tax, my guess is that Mr. Hill has his work cut out for him.”

Hill Lobbied for $400 Million Sales Tax, $72 Million Income Tax

During the 1993 legislative session, Hill lobbied to pass two measures that would drastically increase taxes on Montanans.  The first measure was a bill to place a $400 million sales tax measure on the ballot.  It was rejected by the voters 75% to 25%.  Hill also lobbied on behalf of a bill that would have increased income taxes by $72 million, but was again rejected by voters. [Billings Gazette State Bureau, 5/23/1996]

Thanks to everyone who submitted ideas for our Top Ten list of Congressman Rehbeg's most irresponsible and out of touch moments.

Here are the best entries:

10. Calling Pell grants the "welfare of the 21st Century."  Austin, Bozeman

9. Saying he's "cash poor", even though he has millions". Kayla, Whitefish.

8.  Standing in the way of Jon Tester's Forest Jobs bill. Ken, Columbia Falls.

Helena, MT -  Congressman Rehberg’s decision to follow his party bosses' plan to raise middle class taxes and kill Keystone jobs is getting some bad headlines.

It's been quite a year for Congressman Dennis Rehberg.  

He drug out his lawsuit against Billings firefighters, called Pell Grants 'welfare', and voted to force huge cuts to Medicare -- all while protecting tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.  He even wrote a bill that would gut Medicare Advantage for thousands of Montana seniors.

Send us what you think Congressman Rehberg's most irresponsible and out of touch moments of the year were to getactive@montanademocrats.org, and we'll send out the most striking examples in a "Top Ten" list before the end of the year.

If you're a millionaire Congressman who's so out of touch you think you're "cash poor", gutting Medicare while giving tax breaks to millionaires makes for a pretty good year.  But to the rest of Montana, it's just more of the irresponsibility that defines Congressman Rehberg's 30 years as a politician.

Even though there are far more than 10 reasons to send Congressman Rehberg back to his subdivision, we'll use your ideas as a reminder of why we all need to work so hard next year. Tell us what you think at getactive@montanademocrats.org

Helena, Mont. -- Millionaire Congressman Dennis Rehberg today followed his party bosses' wishes and voted to raise taxes on middle class families, and to kill Keystone XL pipeline jobs. 

Ted Dick, Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party, had this to say:

"Congressman Dennis Rehberg didn’t just vote to raise taxes on the middle class and kill jobs; he committed the worst sort of hypocrisy.  After accusing some of opposing the Keystone XL pipeline, Congressman Rehberg is now irresponsibly and hypocritically opposing Keystone XL only days after launching those attacks.  Now, Jon Tester is the only candidate left in this race who supports responsible development of Keystone XL and lower taxes for middle class families."