Archive for State Budget
Taking Off The Budget Blindfold
Posted by:For nearly two months now, lawmakers in Helena have debated about our state’s budget. Republicans arguing that we need to cut vital services such as the Healthy Montana Kids program and funding for our public education system. Democrats have contended that our state has the money to fund these important services and if the GOP makes cuts they do so as a statement of their values.
One thing has been missing from this debate though: an up-to-date picture of how much money is coming into the state.
Today, Sen. Kim Gillan introduced her bill that would require the legislature actually adopt an estimate of state revenue. This bill would give legislators and taxpayers a better understanding of the state’s fiscal situation. Currently, legislators have been operating without an true picture of the state’s fiscal health. This is the same as a business only examining their expenditures, while ignoring how much money they have coming in. That’s an irresponsible way to run a business and an irresponsible way to run the government.
When making such important decisions related to our state’s budget, legislators should have all of the information so they can make the best decisions for the state. Unfortunately, thus far Republicans have chosen to play games with our state’s budget and hid information, as a means to justify their unnecessary and arbitrary cuts.
While speaking on the bill, Democrats highlighted recent budgetary indicators that show Montana is coming out of the recession much stronger than anyone had expected. They stated that our budget should reflect our state’s condition today, not where it was months ago.
Lawmakers Discuss Education Funding
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On Wednesday, legislators met with the state’s top education officials, including Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, along with the President of Stillwater Mine to discuss the state’s education budget.
During her presentation, Superintendent Juneau made the case that our K-12 public schools are run efficiently and effectively. She emphasized that less than 2% of the agencies budget goes to administrative costs.
Juneau also highlighted her top initiative, “Graduation Matters Montana.” This initiative would seek to raise high school graduation rates and ensure that students are better prepared for jobs or college after leaving high school. Her plan has received bipartisan support in the legislature.
Frank McAllister, president of Stillwater Mining company was also in attendance, and said, “I’m here to make the business case for education.” McAllister emphasized the importance of having a high-trained, well-educated workforce in order to fill jobs. He was also quick to state that the money spent on education is one of the strongest boosts to the state’s economy.
"We believe that the current budget, heading to the Senate Floor next week, unnecessarily pits Montanans against, creating winners and losers” 