Senator Tester vs. Senator Bingaman: Two Different Approaches

Since Sen. Jon Tester introduced his Forest Jobs and Recreation Act in July, it has been praised as the first legislation in two decades to bring Montana wilderness advocates and logging advocates together. It also has been criticized by people on both sides of the public-lands debate who want more or less than the proposal would provide. The bill, which deals exclusively with portions of national forests in Western Montana, had a Senate Energy Committee hearing earlier this month. This week, Denny Rehberg announced that he will hold a series of public meetings in five Western Montana towns next week to find out what Montanans think of Tester’s bill. The state’s lone U.S. representative said he hasn’t made up his mind on that Senate bill and may introduce his own bill. It’s important for members of Montana’s congressional delegation to communicate with their constituents. Tester held nine public meetings before introducing the legislation, which he said is the result of years of comments from industry, environmentalists and local governments...read more

Interesting. Senator Tester held nine public meetings before the bill was introduced. That's not the way our senior senator treats us. Senator Bingaman held zero public meetings before introducing his wilderness legislation.

Both are Democrats and both represent western states. One values the opinions of his constituents and the other...apparently doesn't.