HELENA, Mont. (NMB) – On the final day of the 66th Montana Legislature, lawmakers completed their only state constitutionally mandated task by passing the bill that sets the budget for state agencies with a 73-to-25 vote.
Tim Pierce with the UM Legislative News Service reports the House of Representatives voted one last time on House Bill 2 Thursday, this time to adopt Senate amendments that add about $12.3 million of state money to the $10-billion budget, with the biggest chunk of added spending going into the state health department.
Republican Representative Tom Burnett from Bozeman voted against the bill, which uses a mix of state and federal money, saying it spends too much.
“House Bill 2 may be as good as divergent opinions allow it to be. But, remember the Mark Twain quote: ‘no man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session,'”
Republican Representative Nancy Ballance from Hamilton, who’s sponsored the bill, said balancing a state budget is a huge undertaking, but any member of the legislature can contribute to the process.
“Anyone in this chamber can bring a change, an amendment – can participate in this process. If you choose not to, you get what you see.”
Democratic Governor Steve Bullock needs to sign the bill before it can be adopted.
