HB 645 Passes House Easily

The bill to spend Montana’s share of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act easily passed the House Thursday.  House Bill 645 will now move to the Senate.

Rep. Jon Sesso (D-Butte), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and sponsor of HB 645 said, “I’m here to say that (this spending) is going to come the closest to helping our people, to directly helping the people we come here to represent.”

Despite claims by some Republicans that the $880 million in economic stimulus funding will bring about the “end of our society as we know it,” and the “demise of the republic,” Republicans joined with House Democrats to approve a bill that is filled with one-time-only money for highways, bridges, schools, energy efficiency projects and human services programs. 

“The opportunities - and challenges - presented by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act are unlike anything we’ve seen,” said Speaker of the House Bob Bergren (D-Havre).  “Nonetheless, the Democrats and Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee have worked diligently to craft a plan to help the Montanans who need help the most.  I am grateful for their hard work.”

Here’s a look at a few highlights of HB 645:

• $220 million for highway projects
• $60 million for increases in Medicaid caseloads
• $48 million for food stamps
• $43 million for school building projects, with an emphasis on energy efficiency and conservation, and another $15 million for various other school programs
• $21 million for local water and sewer projects and another $20 million for city and county projects
• At least $13 million for higher education, including money to offset possible tuition increases at state universities and colleges the next two years
• $7.5 million for a revolving loan fund to help the distressed timber industry.