Senate tax plan derailed

HELENA - A Senate Republican plan to blend income tax relief with increased sales taxes to feed a money-hungry budget stalled Thursday, and a GOP leader said the proposal will be abandoned.

Majority Leader Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville, said the bill will be overhauled so that it provides only enough revenue to cover the tax cuts.

He was plainly irritated that the measure garnered only 25 votes, far short of the 34 needed to override Gov. Judy Martz's promised veto. Eighteen of the 24 votes against the bill were Democrats; just two voted for the measure.

''Those who voted no on this bill will ha...