Political wrangling continues over legislative bjt

HELENA — Minority Democrats in the state House opposed the bill that pays the Legislature's expenses as a protest to Republican moves to cut state spending elsewhere.

Democrats argued Wednesday it is wrong for the controlling party to increase funding for legislative benefits after GOP moves a day earlier to start cutting state programs for the needy and elderly.

Republicans said the Democrats are just trying to score political points by politicizing a normally routine bill.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer has already taken issue with House Bill 1 that pays for the Legislature.

The governor argued it is wrong for conservative Republicans who promised to cut government to then take stipends of up to $1,000 for new personal laptop computers. Schweitzer would not say if he would veto it.

HELENA — Minority Democrats in the state House opposed the bill that pays the Legislature's expenses as a protest to Republican moves to cut state spending elsewhere.

Democrats argued Wednesday it is wrong for the controlling party to increase funding for legislative benefits after GOP moves a day earlier to start cutting state programs for the needy and elderly.

Republicans said the Democrats are just trying to score political points by politicizing a normally routine bill.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer has already taken issue with House Bill 1 that pays for the Legislature.

The governor argued it is wrong for conservative Republicans who promised to cut government to then take stipends of up to $1,000 for new personal laptop computers. Schweitzer would not say if he would veto it.