Tester introduces new way to save taxpayer money with project requests

Montanans can now meet Senator over video conference to seek federal support

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester today encouraged local governments and universities to use technology in his office in order to save thousands of dollars in taxpayer money.

Tester—a member of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee—often meets with Montanans who request federal funding for projects that create Montana jobs and invest in critical infrastructure. 

Local communities and Montana colleges are the largest recipients of funds secured by Tester.  However, they spend significant sums of money to send representatives to Washington, D.C. to discuss their requests with Tester. 

Tester says communities can save thousands of dollars in travel costs by instead meeting with him over a video teleconferencing system available in all eight of his Montana field offices.

All of Tester’s offices are equipped with video teleconferencing equipment, allowing him to conduct real time, face-to-face meetings from 2,000 miles away.

 “As we continue getting our economy back on track in Montana, folks all across the state are tightening their belts,” said Tester.  “It’s important for all of us to be creative in how we can save Montanans’ hard-earned money.  Every dollar counts.  So I encourage folks to save their travel costs and meet with me from Montana—which is just the same in my book.”

Montanans interested in discussing their appropriations requests with Tester via video teleconference are asked to call (866) 554-4403.

Tester’s field offices are located in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Glendive, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula.