Archive for Appropriations
Lawmakers endorse House Bill 2
Posted by:By MIKE DENNISON, State Bureau
The session’s major budget bill easily won endorsement by the Montana House Monday, as all 50 House Democrats and some Republican allies beat back attempts by conservatives to reduce the measure’s $8.1 billion price tag.
The House voted 64-35 for House Bill 2, setting up a final, binding vote on Tuesday that will send the measure on to the state Senate, which is controlled by Republicans. Read More→
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. Read More→
"I think that it’s going to all work out, with the changes that we have agreed to. It’s not as much (spending for some programs) as I would’ve hoped, but apparently it’s more than other people wanted. As usual, we are trying to find the middle.” 
"[On term limits:] You empower the executive, you empower the lobbyists and that's not good for the system because then we lose what the citizen Legislature brings.” 