Archive for Appropriations
Today, the House Appropriations took executive action on a series of Democratic amendments that seek to replace some of the funding that Republicans have taken from our state’s higher education system.
Unfortunately, the Republicans put partisanship over commonsense as they rejected these amendments on a party-line vote.
What makes the Republican cuts even worse is the fact that they are unnecessary. The Governor presented the legislature with a budget that is paid for, without raising taxes on Montanans. These cuts the GOP is pushing through are a statement of their values and today their statement came through loud and clear.
Under the GOP’s education budget, Montana students will face new taxes in the form of tuition increases. Opponents of the GOP’s plan included school administrators from around the state who reminded the committee that the tuition increases would make Montana schools less competitive, and the state would likely see reduced enrollment as students are forced to go to schools in surrounding states. Unfortunately, the Republicans on the committee ignored this testimony and reinforced their education cuts.
Today, the Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services voted to privatize the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. All Republicans supported this action, all Democrats opposed it.
Because of this measure, the home will be run in a way that values profit over the care of our veterans. Our veterans deserve better than this. The residents of this home were willing to risk their life defending our country, and this is their thanks? Quality treatment of these veterans should be the driving factor in decisions relating to the home.
Sen. Dave Lewis (R-Helena), the sponsor of this measure, says that reducing costs of operating the home is the main reason for this decision. However, he admits that the cost savings will likely come from cuts to salaries and benefits for the employees of the home. This will make it harder for the home to recruit qualified and experienced workers to care for our veterans.
The Veterans Home employees 143 full-time employees. Because of this proposal, these jobs are all at risk.
So let’s be clear, this measure compromises the quality of care for our veterans and risks 143 jobs in the Columbia Falls area. Is this what Republican lawmakers were sent to Helena to do?
Investing In Our Future, Creating Jobs Today
Posted by:The House Appropriations Committee today heard Rep. Galen Hollenbaugh”s Capital Projects Bonds Bill. This bill provides communities with bonds to provide a jolt to their local community, by building new facilities and improving existing ones.
This bill has been widely hailed as the first major jobs bill of this legislative session. If passed, this bill would not only improve crucial facilities throughout the state in the long-term, it would also put people to work right now. In addition, it would create demand for local products.
Some project included in this bill:
- Missoula – University of Montana College of Technology: $29 million to improve and expand facilities
- Bozeman – Montana State University: $3.5 million in classroom renovations and investment in the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station
- Billings – Montana State University: $14.25 million for the science and instructional technology building
- Helena – Heritage Center: $23 million for construction of a new museum for Montana history
- Great Falls – College of Technology: $4 million for the agricultural and trade building
- Butte – Montana Veterans Home: $5 million for Silver Bow County’s Veterans Home
- Dillion – University of Montana Western: $4.45 million for renovations to the main hall
This bill has received wide-spread, bipartisan support, because this bill is a responsible use of our state’s resources. It put people to work now, to move our economy forward and helps equip our students with the education they need to keep our economy moving.
Fighting Prescription Drug Abuse
Posted by:Prescription drug abuse accounts for more than 300 deaths in Montana each year. This is 15 times more deaths in the state than meth, cocaine and heroine combined. This is why Attorney General Steve Bullock has made curbing prescription drug abuse one of his top priorities.
To this goal, the House today gave initial approval to one of the Attorney General’s key pieces of legislation. This bill creates a prescription drug registry in the state. This registry will serve as a tool for doctors and pharmacists that allow them to identify drug seekers and provide better care to their patients. This will allow doctors to distinguish patients who are in legitimate need from those who are abusing medication.
The bill received bipartisan support, with 85 Representatives supporting the measure and only 15 opposing it.
The bill now goes to the House Appropriations Committee, before being considered for final approval by the House.
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” 