Schyweitzer says GOP budget dead on arrival

Schyweitzer says GOP budget dead on arrival

MATT GOURAS, Associated Press

HELENA — Gov. Brian Schweitzer is making it clear he will veto the Republican spending plan without some big changes.

Perhaps the biggest sticking point is the way the GOP budget crafters are spurning as much as $100 million in federal money, primarily for social services administered by the state.

Schweitzer argues the unused federal money won't be used to reduce federal spending. Instead it will just be re-allocated to other states.

The governor says he doesn't mind forcing the lawmakers to stay into the summer.

Republican Sen. Dave Lewis said Monday the federal money was rejected to craft a budget that satisfied conservative lawmakers. A joint House-Senate panel is meeting this week to finalize the spending plan, while lawmakers also try to find a deal on the education funding scheme.

HELENA — Gov. Brian Schweitzer is making it clear he will veto the Republican spending plan without some big changes.

Perhaps the biggest sticking point is the way the GOP budget crafters are spurning as much as $100 million in federal money, primarily for social services administered by the state.

Schweitzer argues the unused federal money won't be used to reduce federal spending. Instead it will just be re-allocated to other states.

The governor says he doesn't mind forcing the lawmakers to stay into the summer.

Republican Sen. Dave Lewis said Monday the federal money was rejected to craft a budget that satisfied conservative lawmakers. A joint House-Senate panel is meeting this week to finalize the spending plan, while lawmakers also try to find a deal on the education funding scheme.