Area legislators will attend a public forum in Havre next week

Area legislators will attend a public forum in Havre on Monday night to answer questions from constituents and give an update on the 2003 legislative session.

"I think the main thing we'll be talking about is the budget," Senate Minority Leader Jon Tester said Wednesday.

Tester, a Democrat from Big Sandy, said many major budget issues, like possible tax increases, haven't really been addressed yet as the Legislature faces a projected $240 million deficit over the next two years.

"The first 45 days have been a warmup, obviously," he said. "The next 45 days we're going to earn our pay. There's g...