Remember how upset Montanans were when Congressman Dennis Rehberg and the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass the Senate’s bipartisan Highway Bill?  The legislation also included long-term stability for the Secure Rural Schools and Payments In Lieu of Taxes programs, prompting county leaders to urge Rehberg to follow the Senate’s lead.

For nearly two months, Dennis Rehberg ignored them.  And now, after weeks of inaction that has resulted in construction delays and threats to the health of Montana’s highways and schools, Dennis Rehberg is just now getting around to reading the Senate’s bill. (The highway bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 74 to 22).

I guess it’s nice that Rehberg finally started paying attention.  On Tuesday, he sent this press release raising a concern over a provision in the bill about data recorders in new vehicles.  That’s something the Bush Administration authorized way back in 2006.  So the real question is: Why didn’t Dennis Rehberg raise concern over this issue six years ago?