HELENA
Gov. Brian Schweitzer's administration plans to release an updated budget next week, cutting proposed spending from a budget released just a month ago. Budget Director David Ewer says reduction in spending will be quite sizable because the national outlook has worsened considerably since early November, when the first budget proposal was released. State law requires the governor to submit a preliminary budget to the Legislative Fiscal Division by Nov. 15. He has until Monday, Dec. 15, to submit an amended budget to the legislative agency. Ewer says Schweitzer still wants the Legislature to maintain a $250 million ending-fund balance, and Republican legislative leaders have agreed. (AP)
