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Bipartisan Panel Asks Schweitzer to Consider Cutting Less
State Budget
A pedestrian descends the Capitol stairs at the end of the day in Helena. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
HELENA – A bipartisan legislative panel agreed Friday that Gov. Brian Schweitzer should cut less from the state budget than he is currently considering if Congress sends more money to the state.
The move prompted Schweitzer, a Democrat, to pick on Republicans for being inconsistent on spending.
Schweitzer's budget director has recommended budget cuts that total about $40 million as a way to ensure that the state makes it through next year without hitting a deficit. The governor is mulling the proposal.
Part of the plan cancels promised rate increases for providers of services to the needy. Nursing homes, physicians and others argue the money is needed to continue providing help.
Even Republicans on the Legislative Finance Committee want Schweitzer to reconsider that cut if the state gets extra money for Medicaid programs. The panel, charged with offering comments on the governor's plan, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the change.
Schweitzer said Republicans, who have at times complained of him spending too much money, are sending mixed messages. GOP lawmakers have also grumbled about him freezing local stimulus project spending.
"It's been an interesting week. On Wednesday, the Tea Party stood outside the Capitol and said, 'spend less.' On Friday, the Republicans sent me a letter and told me to spend more," Schweitzer said. "I've also heard from Republicans in Washington D.C. that the recovery dollars didn't work to create or preserve jobs — and I've now heard from the Republicans in Helena that the recovery dollars have to get out the door immediately because they are jobs, jobs, jobs."
Republican Sen. Keith Bales of Otter said the proposal is a product of a committee, and only suggests minimizing the cut if more money rolls in.
"It is up to the governor to make the cuts that are necessary," Bales said.
The committee also worried that some of the proposed cuts could lead to lawsuits against the state — in particular, cuts aimed at private contractors like those that run drug treatment centers.
And the panel pointed out that some cuts in education spending could trigger automatic tax increases at the local level, unless local governments intervened to prevent the hikes.
Schweitzer didn't appear likely to adjust his plans much based on plans brewing in Congress to potentially send more Medicaid money to the state.
"I might buy a lottery ticket today, but on that basis I will not buy a new pickup today," Schweitzer said.
The move prompted Schweitzer, a Democrat, to pick on Republicans for being inconsistent on spending.
Schweitzer's budget director has recommended budget cuts that total about $40 million as a way to ensure that the state makes it through next year without hitting a deficit. The governor is mulling the proposal.
Part of the plan cancels promised rate increases for providers of services to the needy. Nursing homes, physicians and others argue the money is needed to continue providing help.
Schweitzer said Republicans, who have at times complained of him spending too much money, are sending mixed messages. GOP lawmakers have also grumbled about him freezing local stimulus project spending.
"It's been an interesting week. On Wednesday, the Tea Party stood outside the Capitol and said, 'spend less.' On Friday, the Republicans sent me a letter and told me to spend more," Schweitzer said. "I've also heard from Republicans in Washington D.C. that the recovery dollars didn't work to create or preserve jobs — and I've now heard from the Republicans in Helena that the recovery dollars have to get out the door immediately because they are jobs, jobs, jobs."
Republican Sen. Keith Bales of Otter said the proposal is a product of a committee, and only suggests minimizing the cut if more money rolls in.
"It is up to the governor to make the cuts that are necessary," Bales said.
The committee also worried that some of the proposed cuts could lead to lawsuits against the state — in particular, cuts aimed at private contractors like those that run drug treatment centers.
And the panel pointed out that some cuts in education spending could trigger automatic tax increases at the local level, unless local governments intervened to prevent the hikes.
Schweitzer didn't appear likely to adjust his plans much based on plans brewing in Congress to potentially send more Medicaid money to the state.
"I might buy a lottery ticket today, but on that basis I will not buy a new pickup today," Schweitzer said.
Hey Roark, There sure seems to be a lot of RINOs in the Republicant party. I guess if they don’t walk goosestep with the ########## their a RINO. If it was up to you, you would cut the funding to schools to balance the budget wouldn’t you?
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