Governor, GOP leaders off to friendly start

MATT GOURAS, Associated Press

HELENA — Gov. Brian Schweitzer asked the new Republican legislative leaders to fully consider his proposals and promised to do the same with theirs.

Schweitzer has at times had a confrontational relationship with past legislative leaders, but both sides were notably friendly during Tuesday's meeting in the governor's office. They discussed some issues expected to be sticking points.

House Speaker-elect Mike Milburn of Cascade says the Republicans are leery of using one-time sources of money to balance the budget.

The governor's budget proposal cleans out several pots of money to make ends meet, while increasing education funding and drastically cutting business equipment taxes. The governor says it is good plan for lean times.

HELENA — Gov. Brian Schweitzer asked the new Republican legislative leaders to fully consider his proposals and promised to do the same with theirs.

Schweitzer has at times had a confrontational relationship with past legislative leaders, but both sides were notably friendly during Tuesday's meeting in the governor's office. They discussed some issues expected to be sticking points.

House Speaker-elect Mike Milburn of Cascade says the Republicans are leery of using one-time sources of money to balance the budget.

The governor's budget proposal cleans out several pots of money to make ends meet, while increasing education funding and drastically cutting business equipment taxes. The governor says it is good plan for lean times.