Candidates offer mostly vague ideas on deficit

HELENA - Although the next governor is likely to confront a deficit of at least $100 million, the men lining up for the job offer few details on how they will cope with the problem.

In response to questions posed by The Associated Press, most declined to list priorities for spending reductions if they become necessary, and all but one said no government programs should be safe from the budget ax.

The candidates also generally consider government fee increases as no different than raising taxes, but just one came close to an outright promise to oppose higher fees once in the governor's chair.

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