Gov. Schweitzer to release all local grant money

Gov. Brian Schweitzer finalized about $40 million in state government budget cuts on Monday — but said he would release several million dollars in local stimulus grants that had become the focus of tense disputes with local officials. Schweitzer said key tax collections have increased for two months in a row, providing a glimmer of hope that the state budget picture is improving. That news, along with an expected $86 million windfall from a coal deal, prompted him to release the grant money. But it wasn't enough to fend off budget cuts across state government recommended by his budget dir...