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MISSOULA - Montana congressman Denny Rehberg toured the Roseburg forest products mill in Missoula for the first time on Tuesday. He said Montana's natural resource production is an essential part of the state's economy.

"If we're gonna stimulate our economy, we look for opportunities to help companies like this, as opposed to just pure expenses, which doesn't stimulate the economy," Rehberg said. "(It) might be necessary, might be something we wanna do, but let's not kid ourselves. If we're gonna stimulate the economy, then look to the natural resource industry. It's one of the reasons Montana's still in the black."

Rehberg sat down with Roseburg employees who said they're worried about the federal tax policy.

"These guys wanna know what they're gonna be payin' after Dec. 31 of this year and that's why we're so adamant about permanent tax relief," Rehberg said.

Rehberg is now carrying legislation to allow a deduction for businesses that invest in tools and technology and is hopeful it will pass.

"The President is startin' to finally come around. Some of the things we've been talkin' about. He's talking about tools and technology; he's talking about the payroll tax suspension which is a bill that I've also co-sponsored," he said. "It's good he's now getting focused on the things necessary to stimulate the economy rather than the things that didn't work."

In the meantime, Rehberg said Roseburg is a solid business that has his support, as does anything involved with the logging community.

On Wednesday he plans to tour Bitterroot Tool & Machine, a manufacturing plant in Stevensville. (see related story)