Republican budget plan hits speed bump in Senate

HELENA — Senate Republicans lost votes Tuesday from within their ranks for their spending plan — handing a setback to leaders trying to quickly get the budget to Gov. Brian Schweitzer in order to advance negotiations.

From right, Representative Mike Cuffe, R-Eureka, and the rest of the members of Montana's house of representatives place their votes Monday in Helena, Montana for HB2, the general appropriations act at the statehouse in Helena. AP Photo/The Independent Record, Eliza Wiley

Three conservative Republicans joined all Democrats on Tuesday in voting against the spending plan in a cruci...