Legislators vow to fight for Northern building funds

Legislators vow to fight for Northern building funds

Local health care provider speaks against competing veterans facility

Two Hi-Line legislators Wednesday said they, along with other lawmakers, are working to provide money for a major project at Montana State University-Northern, a project so far shut out in the budget.

"I'm on this like a rat on a Cheeto," Sen. Rowlie Hutton, R-Havre, said from Helena during a legislative video conference in Havre. "We all want to do what's best for Northern."

Northern Chancellor Frank Trocki asked about House Bill 439, a state bonding bill, and if funding for a new automotive technology building at the university has been added.

Northern had been approved funding to design the building, intended to replace an out-of-date facility now used for the automotive technology building. Money was cut last year from an appropriation already made for the design of the new structure. The project was left out of HB 439.

Rep. Kris Hansen, R-Havre, said Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder, is working to add an amendment to the bill to fund the Northern project, but doubts that the bill will pass either way. The need facing the Legislature to make cuts to balance the budget will make passing a $100 million bonding bill difficult, she said.

"A hundred million dollars is going to be a monumental hurdle to get over," she said.

She said she would support the bill with Belcourt's amendment. She and Rep. Wayne Stahl, R-Saco, are working on another bill focused on Northern and other smaller colleges that have not been funded, which will come to about $12 million, as an alternative to HB 439, she said.

"My sense is, the big bill will not get out, so we need to have an alternative so we can at least show people how important this Northern building is," Hansen said. "We're going to show the folks here that Northern has been promised funds the last two or three sessions and someone else got the funds first."

She added that one purpose of the bill she is co-sponsoring with Stahl is to show the value of the building.

"Our building provides real training to real students who go out and get real jobs and push our economy forward," Hansen said.

She said that the bill that excludes Northern's building does include $23 million for a Montana heritage center in Helena.

"I like history. I'm all for Montana having a historical society, but asking for $23 million and ignoring education and colleges to do that, I think those priorities are out of whack," she said.

Lori Henderson, administrator of the long-term care facility at Northern Montana Healthcare in Havre, raised opposition to another competing proposal on the bill.

It includes $5 million for a long-term care facility in Butte for veterans. Henderson said the care for veterans can be provided better locally and more efficiently.

She said state-run veterans long-term care facilities cost $100 a day per patient more than other facilities. Existing facilities already can provide the care and in the veteran's own home or community, she said, adding that the Havre facility has 25 veterans it cares for and has a contract to provide short-term care.

Investing in a new building during difficult financial times makes no fiscal sense, Henderson said.

Hutton agreed.

"It makes no sense to me, either, that we would spend that kind of money when the care is (already) provided on the local level," he said.

Legislators vow to fight for Northern building funds

Local health care provider speaks against competing veterans facility

Two Hi-Line legislators Wednesday said they, along with other lawmakers, are working to provide money for a major project at Montana State University-Northern, a project so far shut out in the budget.

"I'm on this like a rat on a Cheeto," Sen. Rowlie Hutton, R-Havre, said from Helena during a legislative video conference in Havre. "We all want to do what's best for Northern."

Northern Chancellor Frank Trocki asked about House Bill 439, a state bonding bill, and if funding for a new automotive technology building at the university has been added.

Northern had been approved funding to design the building, intended to replace an out-of-date facility now used for the automotive technology building. Money was cut last year from an appropriation already made for the design of the new structure. The project was left out of HB 439.

Rep. Kris Hansen, R-Havre, said Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder, is working to add an amendment to the bill to fund the Northern project, but doubts that the bill will pass either way. The need facing the Legislature to make cuts to balance the budget will make passing a $100 million bonding bill difficult, she said.

"A hundred million dollars is going to be a monumental hurdle to get over," she said.

She said she would support the bill with Belcourt's amendment. She and Rep. Wayne Stahl, R-Saco, are working on another bill focused on Northern and other smaller colleges that have not been funded, which will come to about $12 million, as an alternative to HB 439, she said.

"My sense is, the big bill will not get out, so we need to have an alternative so we can at least show people how important this Northern building is," Hansen said. "We're going to show the folks here that Northern has been promised funds the last two or three sessions and someone else got the funds first."

She added that one purpose of the bill she is co-sponsoring with Stahl is to show the value of the building.

"Our building provides real training to real students who go out and get real jobs and push our economy forward," Hansen said.

She said that the bill that excludes Northern's building does include $23 million for a Montana heritage center in Helena.

"I like history. I'm all for Montana having a historical society, but asking for $23 million and ignoring education and colleges to do that, I think those priorities are out of whack," she said.

Lori Henderson, administrator of the long-term care facility at Northern Montana Healthcare in Havre, raised opposition to another competing proposal on the bill.

It includes $5 million for a long-term care facility in Butte for veterans. Henderson said the care for veterans can be provided better locally and more efficiently.

She said state-run veterans long-term care facilities cost $100 a day per patient more than other facilities. Existing facilities already can provide the care and in the veteran's own home or community, she said, adding that the Havre facility has 25 veterans it cares for and has a contract to provide short-term care.

Investing in a new building during difficult financial times makes no fiscal sense, Henderson said.

Hutton agreed.

"It makes no sense to me, either, that we would spend that kind of money when the care is (already) provided on the local level," he said.

Legislators vow to fight for Northern building Legislators vow to fight for Northern building funds

Local health care provider speaks against competing veterans facility

Two Hi-Line legislators Wednesday said they, along with other lawmakers, are working to provide money for a major project at Montana State University-Northern, a project so far shut out in the budget.

"I'm on this like a rat on a Cheeto," Sen. Rowlie Hutton, R-Havre, said from Helena during a legislative video conference in Havre. "We all want to do what's best for Northern."

Northern Chancellor Frank Trocki asked about House Bill 439, a state bonding bill, and if funding for a new automotive technology building at the university has been added.

Northern had been approved funding to design the building, intended to replace an out-of-date facility now used for the automotive technology building. Money was cut last year from an appropriation already made for the design of the new structure. The project was left out of HB 439.

Rep. Kris Hansen, R-Havre, said Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder, is working to add an amendment to the bill to fund the Northern project, but doubts that the bill will pass either way. The need facing the Legislature to make cuts to balance the budget will make passing a $100 million bonding bill difficult, she said.

"A hundred million dollars is going to be a monumental hurdle to get over," she said.

She said she would support the bill with Belcourt's amendment. She and Rep. Wayne Stahl, R-Saco, are working on another bill focused on Northern and other smaller colleges that have not been funded, which will come to about $12 million, as an alternative to HB 439, she said.

"My sense is, the big bill will not get out, so we need to have an alternative so we can at least show people how important this Northern building is," Hansen said. "We're going to show the folks here that Northern has been promised funds the last two or three sessions and someone else got the funds first."

She added that one purpose of the bill she is co-sponsoring with Stahl is to show the value of the building.

"Our building provides real training to real students who go out and get real jobs and push our economy forward," Hansen said.

She said that the bill that excludes Northern's building does include $23 million for a Montana heritage center in Helena.

"I like history. I'm all for Montana having a historical society, but asking for $23 million and ignoring education and colleges to do that, I think those priorities are out of whack," she said.

Lori Henderson, administrator of the long-term care facility at Northern Montana Healthcare in Havre, raised opposition to another competing proposal on the bill.

It includes $5 million for a long-term care facility in Butte for veterans. Henderson said the care for veterans can be provided better locally and more efficiently.

She said state-run veterans long-term care facilities cost $100 a day per patient more than other facilities. Existing facilities already can provide the care and in the veteran's own home or community, she said, adding that the Havre facility has 25 veterans it cares for and has a contract to provide short-term care.

Investing in a new building during difficult financial times makes no fiscal sense, Henderson said.

Hutton agreed.

"It makes no sense to me, either, that we would spend that kind of money when the care is (already) provided on the local level," he said.

Legislators vow to fight for Northern building funds

Local health care provider speaks against competing veterans facility

Two Hi-Line legislators Wednesday said they, along with other lawmakers, are working to provide money for a major project at Montana State University-Northern, a project so far shut out in the budget.

"I'm on this like a rat on a Cheeto," Sen. Rowlie Hutton, R-Havre, said from Helena during a legislative video conference in Havre. "We all want to do what's best for Northern."

Northern Chancellor Frank Trocki asked about House Bill 439, a state bonding bill, and if funding for a new automotive technology building at the university has been added.

Northern had been approved funding to design the building, intended to replace an out-of-date facility now used for the automotive technology building. Money was cut last year from an appropriation already made for the design of the new structure. The project was left out of HB 439.

Rep. Kris Hansen, R-Havre, said Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder, is working to add an amendment to the bill to fund the Northern project, but doubts that the bill will pass either way. The need facing the Legislature to make cuts to balance the budget will make passing a $100 million bonding bill difficult, she said.

"A hundred million dollars is going to be a monumental hurdle to get over," she said.

She said she would support the bill with Belcourt's amendment. She and Rep. Wayne Stahl, R-Saco, are working on another bill focused on Northern and other smaller colleges that have not been funded, which will come to about $12 million, as an alternative to HB 439, she said.

"My sense is, the big bill will not get out, so we need to have an alternative so we can at least show people how important this Northern building is," Hansen said. "We're going to show the folks here that Northern has been promised funds the last two or three sessions and someone else got the funds first."

She added that one purpose of the bill she is co-sponsoring with Stahl is to show the value of the building.

"Our building provides real training to real students who go out and get real jobs and push our economy forward," Hansen said.

She said that the bill that excludes Northern's building does include $23 million for a Montana heritage center in Helena.

"I like history. I'm all for Montana having a historical society, but asking for $23 million and ignoring education and colleges to do that, I think those priorities are out of whack," she said.

Lori Henderson, administrator of the long-term care facility at Northern Montana Healthcare in Havre, raised opposition to another competing proposal on the bill.

It includes $5 million for a long-term care facility in Butte for veterans. Henderson said the care for veterans can be provided better locally and more efficiently.

She said state-run veterans long-term care facilities cost $100 a day per patient more than other facilities. Existing facilities already can provide the care and in the veteran's own home or community, she said, adding that the Havre facility has 25 veterans it cares for and has a contract to provide short-term care.

Investing in a new building during difficult financial times makes no fiscal sense, Henderson said.

Hutton agreed.

"It makes no sense to me, either, that we would spend that kind of money when the care is (already) provided on the local level," he said.

Legislators vow to fight for Northern building funds

Two Hi-Line legislators Wednesday said they, along with other lawmakers, are working to provide money for a major project at Montana State University-Northern, a project so far shut out in the budget.

"I'm on this like a rat on a Cheeto," Sen. Rowlie Hutton, R-Havre, said from Helena during a legislative video conference in Havre. "We all want to do what's best for Northern."

Northern Chancellor Frank Trocki asked about House Bill 439, a state bonding bill, and if funding for a new automotive technology building at the university has been added.

Northern had been approved funding to design the building, intended to replace an out-of-date facility now used for the automotive technology building. Money was cut last year from an appropriation already made for the design of the new structure. The project was left out of HB 439.

Rep. Kris Hansen, R-Havre, said Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder, is working to add an amendment to the bill to fund the Northern project, but doubts that the bill will pass either way. The need facing the Legislature to make cuts to balance the budget will make passing a $100 million bonding bill difficult, she said.

"A hundred million dollars is going to be a monumental hurdle to get over," she said.

She said she would support the bill with Belcourt's amendment. She and Rep. Wayne Stahl, R-Saco, are working on another bill focused on Northern and other smaller colleges that have not been funded, which will come to about $12 million, as an alternative to HB 439, she said.

"My sense is, the big bill will not get out, so we need to have an alternative so we can at least show people how important this Northern building is," Hansen said. "We're going to show the folks here that Northern has been promised funds the last two or three sessions and someone else got the funds first."

She added that one purpose of the bill she is co-sponsoring with Stahl is to show the value of the building.

"Our building provides real training to real students who go out and get real jobs and push our economy forward," Hansen said.

She said that the bill that excludes Northern's building does include $23 million for a Montana heritage center in Helena.

"I like history. I'm all for Montana having a historical society, but asking for $23 million and ignoring education and colleges to do that, I think those priorities are out of whack," she said.

Lori Henderson, administrator of the long-term care facility at Northern Montana Healthcare in Havre, raised opposition to another competing proposal on the bill.

It includes $5 million for a long-term care facility in Butte for veterans. Henderson said the care for veterans can be provided better locally and more efficiently.

She said state-run veterans long-term care facilities cost $100 a day per patient more than other facilities. Existing facilities already can provide the care and in the veteran's own home or community, she said, adding that the Havre facility has 25 veterans it cares for and has a contract to provide short-term care.

Investing in a new building during difficult financial times makes no fiscal sense, Henderson said.

Hutton agreed.

"It makes no sense to me, either, that we would spend that kind of money when the care is (already) provided on the local level," he said.

Legislators vow to fight for Northern building funds

Local health care provider speaks against competing veterans facility

Two Hi-Line legislators Wednesday said they, along with other lawmakers, are working to provide money for a major project at Montana State University-Northern, a project so far shut out in the budget.

"I'm on this like a rat on a Cheeto," Sen. Rowlie Hutton, R-Havre, said from Helena during a legislative video conference in Havre. "We all want to do what's best for Northern."

Northern Chancellor Frank Trocki asked about House Bill 439, a state bonding bill, and if funding for a new automotive technology building at the university has been added.

Northern had been approved funding to design the building, intended to replace an out-of-date facility now used for the automotive technology building. Money was cut last year from an appropriation already made for the design of the new structure. The project was left out of HB 439.

Rep. Kris Hansen, R-Havre, said Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder, is working to add an amendment to the bill to fund the Northern project, but doubts that the bill will pass either way. The need facing the Legislature to make cuts to balance the budget will make passing a $100 million bonding bill difficult, she said.

"A hundred million dollars is going to be a monumental hurdle to get over," she said.

She said she would support the bill with Belcourt's amendment. She and Rep. Wayne Stahl, R-Saco, are working on another bill focused on Northern and other smaller colleges that have not been funded, which will come to about $12 million, as an alternative to HB 439, she said.

"My sense is, the big bill will not get out, so we need to have an alternative so we can at least show people how important this Northern building is," Hansen said. "We're going to show the folks here that Northern has been promised funds the last two or three sessions and someone else got the funds first."

She added that one purpose of the bill she is co-sponsoring with Stahl is to show the value of the building.

"Our building provides real training to real students who go out and get real jobs and push our economy forward," Hansen said.

She said that the bill that excludes Northern's building does include $23 million for a Montana heritage center in Helena.

"I like history. I'm all for Montana having a historical society, but asking for $23 million and ignoring education and colleges to do that, I think those priorities are out of whack," she said.

Lori Henderson, administrator of the long-term care facility at Northern Montana Healthcare in Havre, raised opposition to another competing proposal on the bill.

It includes $5 million for a long-term care facility in Butte for veterans. Henderson said the care for veterans can be provided better locally and more efficiently.

She said state-run veterans long-term care facilities cost $100 a day per patient more than other facilities. Existing facilities already can provide the care and in the veteran's own home or community, she said, adding that the Havre facility has 25 veterans it cares for and has a contract to provide short-term care.

Investing in a new building during difficult financial times makes no fiscal sense, Henderson said.

Hutton agreed.

"It makes no sense to me, either, that we would spend that kind of money when the care is (already) provided on the local level," he said.

Legislators vow to fight for Northern building funds