Content about Montana

Voters in 38 states will consider 174 statewide ballot measures on Nov. 6, 2012, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). These proposals are wide-ranging, with a number of them having potential workplace implications.

Questions appear on the ballots in more than one state concerning:

• Medical marijuana use;
• Legalization of marijuana; and
• Same-sex marriage.

Last fall, Montana builder Anders Lewendal began work on “The All-American Home,” gaining national recognition in the media and building industry. An economist-turned-builder, Lewendal estimated that if every builder used just 5% more American-made products, they would create more than 200,000 jobs -- a number that ABC News reported as being confirmed by The Boston Consulting Group.

According to an article in the New York Times, a Montana home builder is promoting construction using Made in USA materials. It's not that easy.

 In fact, the general contractor who came up with the idea, Anders Lewendal, said it's probably not possible to achieve 100% compatibility to the all-American building approach, according to the article. But if all builders sought American-made products, the impact could be beneficial.

The first-of-its-kind Home Channel News list of 50 hardware store all-stars visits stores with southern charm, historic charm and the universal charm of double-digit sales growth. Below, the state-by-state guide winds through Mississippi, Missouri and Montana. 

A price index of lumber and panels used in actual construction for May 20, 2011

A price index of lumber and panels used in actual construction for May 6, 2011