Lawmakers seek funds by April 3 - Legislators file paperwork to ask for state’s share

By CHARLES S. JOHNSON, State Bureau

Some top legislative leaders said Thursday they will file the formal paperwork asking the federal government for Montana’s share of the stimulus money by April 3 - in case Gov. Brian Schweitzer is wary about doing it.

House Speaker Bob Bergren, D-Havre, and Senate President Bob Story, R-Park City, joined by two other leaders, signed a joint resolution at a news conference requesting and accepting the federal money. House Joint Resolution 33 was introduced later in the day to do that.

Assuming HJR33 passes both chambers, it gives lawmakers more time to work on House Bill 645, which was introduced Monday and spells out how Montana will spend its $870 million share of the federal stimulus money.

Montana could wind up sending two certification letters to Washington, D.C. - one from the Legislature and the other from Schweitzer. Or it could send only the certification from the Legislature if Schweitzer is uncomfortable with the letter until he sees the final version of HB645.

Last week, Schweitzer said he needed to have both the House and Senate pass the stimulus bill and have it on his desk by April 3 to certify to the federal government that Montana wants the stimulus money and will use it to create jobs and promote economic growth.

That deadline wouldn’t pose a problem for the House under the legislative schedule because it should complete work on HB645 by March 25.

However, Senate leaders from both parties questioned whether they could adequately scrutinize the bill in such a short period. Under the tentative schedule, the Senate will complete its work on HB645 on April 9.

Bergren said he believes both Schweitzer and the Legislature will send the letters. But if the governor is uncomfortable with sending the letter, Montana will have the legislative letter.

“We have obviously bipartisan support and we have unprecedented cooperation this session, and this is just more evidence that we can rise above politics and we can do what’s right for the people of Montana,” Bergren said.