- Gov.
Steve
Bullock
« Fair
Shot for Rural America
Bullock
for America
FOR
IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Helena,
MT
— Today, Montana Governor Steve
Bullock announced his comprehensive plan for revitalizing rural and
small-town communities: Fair
Shot
for
Rural
America.
Rather
than
a
one-size-fits-all
mandate, Fair
Shot for Rural America employs community
partnerships and adaptable solutions to bolster rural America’s
strengths now and preserve opportunity for generations to come.
Bullock’s
plan
is
not
just
a
laundry list of hypothetical priorities. It includes
specific, executable steps to begin implementing the solutions that
small and rural communities need now – not ten years down the road.
“Folks
shouldn't
have
to
leave
their
home, their church, or their community to
succeed in America. Washington has paid lip service to small and rural
communities for too long – they deserve a leader in the White House who
will lead with action,” said Montana
Governor Steve Bullock.“As Governor of one of the most rural
states in the country, I can tell you that the challenges small and
rural communities face aren’t theoretical. They’re an experience I’ve
lived and I’ll bring that perspective to the White House every
day.”
Bullock
continued, “Fair Shot for Rural
America is built on the successes we’ve achieved
in Montana and the voices I’ve heard in rural communities across our
country. With first-of-its-kind solutions that meet the unique needs of
each community, my plan will make sure rural America is never left
behind.”
Read
the
entire
“Fair
Shot
for
Rural
America” plan here.
Fair
Shot
for
Rural
America’s comprehensive, achievable
solutions to the challenges facing rural and small communities include:
Agriculture:
- Support farmers and ranchers by ending the trade war to restore, expand, and stabilize international markets.
- Diversify domestic markets, including building regional food systems.
- Reduce barriers facing farmers of color and expand resources for beginning farmers and ranchers.
- Partner with farmers and ranchers to conserve and preserve farmland.
- Strengthen crop insurance to reinforce the safety net for farming communities.
- Build on the Renewable Fuel Standard and end waivers to Big Oil.
- Implement a two-year “pause” on proposed agricultural mergers.
- Establish a first-of-its-kind Office of Rural Affairs to coordinate and lead rural policy execution, reporting directly to the President.
- Drive economic development, entrepreneurship, and housing investments through a dedicated rural opportunity zone initiative.
- Increase federal resources to fund workforce development for areas including mental health professionals, teachers, and nurses.
- Expand high-speed broadband to every community within three years.
- Reform the Postal Service to ensure that postal delivery and post offices remain viable and dependable for rural businesses.
- Expand the Formula Grants for Rural Areas program to provide additional funding for transportation in rural communities.
- Address the major health challenges facing rural Americans, including keeping rural hospitals open and expanding mental healthcare.
- Address healthcare delivery shortages by incentivizing nurses, physicians, and psychologists to practice in rural communities.
- Elevate the Office of Rural Health Programs within the Department to report directly to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
- Increase investments in telehealth and tele-mental health.
- Protect our public lands from exploitation.
- Promote healthy forest management while creating jobs.
- Spur expansions in wind, solar, and other renewable energy sectors.
- Revitalize federal funding for research into reduced greenhouse gas emission agriculture practices.