Governor's office calls GOP budget 'unacceptable'

Governor's office calls GOP budget 'unacceptable'

HELENA — The governor's office is lambasting Republican legislators' budget proposal as "unacceptable," "absurd," and "ridiculous" at the start of Senate hearings on the spending plan.

Friday's comments by David Ewer, Gov. Brian Schweitzer's budget director, set a stark tone for what already promised to be tense negotiations over the next month.

House Republicans sent the Senate a budget that cuts spending of state money about 5 percent, while rejecting about $120 million in federal money for social programs such as food assistance for the needy.

Ewer avoided using the term "veto." But he left lawmakers with the clear impression that the Democratic governor could reject the GOP spending plan.

Republican Sen. Dave Lewis says he thinks Ewer's candidness gives Republican budget crafters a "road map."

HELENA — The governor's office is lambasting Republican legislators' budget proposal as "unacceptable," "absurd," and "ridiculous" at the start of Senate hearings on the spending plan.

Friday's comments by David Ewer, Gov. Brian Schweitzer's budget director, set a stark tone for what already promised to be tense negotiations over the next month.

House Republicans sent the Senate a budget that cuts spending of state money about 5 percent, while rejecting about $120 million in federal money for social programs such as food assistance for the needy.

Ewer avoided using the term "veto." But he left lawmakers with the clear impression that the Democratic governor could reject the GOP spending plan.

Republican Sen. Dave Lewis says he thinks Ewer's candidness gives Republican budget crafters a "road map."