Lawmakers OK Budget Bill

Montana lawmakers adjourned their 90-day biannual session on time Tuesday after adopting a bill to implement the state’s two-year budget.

The new budget calls for $3.2 billion in general fund spending, up 2.6% from the previous biennium, according to the Legislative Fiscal Division’s staff report. Total spending is $7.9 billion, up 3.3%.

Lawmakers avoided a repeat of the squabble-filled 2007 session, putting together a budget bill despite a Legislature split between Republican control of the Senate and a 50-50 split in the House that gave effective control to Democrats because they control the governor’s office.

“Overall, this Legislature came to town and did a lot under difficult economic circumstances,” Gov. Brian Schweitzer said in a news release. “This session was about living within our means, keeping money in the bank, investing in priorities, and implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.”

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM BOND BUYER