Legislature faces a difficult future as deficit loomsCommunity Voices

Legislature faces a difficult future as deficit looms

Community Voices

The 2002 special session came to an end about 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 11. When we adjourned, there was an audible sigh of relief from within the Capitol, but the atmosphere was clouded. Not many were satisfied with what had taken place.

We went there with a job to do and that is what we did. Walking in Monday morning I knew we needed $45 million to fill the budget gap, but within two days, the gap had increased to $57 million. Because I serve on the Appropriations Committee, the previous week I had spent three days in Helena work...