Judge dismisses guv's lawsuit against legislature

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A District Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit Gov. Brian Schweitzer filed against the Montana Legislature over a spending bill.

Schweitzer sued the 2009 Legislature in September, arguing a companion bill to the main budget bill unconstitutionally dealt with multiple subject matters. He sought a ruling to make sure it didn't happen again.

Schweitzer argued that his constitutional veto power was "essentially nullified" with regard to the bill, because a veto would have meant calling a special session.

The Legislature asked District Judge Kathy Seeley to dismiss the case, ar...