House Bill 2 passes, stimulus on the way

This week, the Montana House of Representatives passed House Bill 2 after some discussion. The House Minority Leader, Rep. Scott Sales, R-Bozeman, made an attempt to make further cuts with a fistful of amendments, but they were all voted down. Only a third of the House members voted for the adjustments, I was one of them.

In my view, there is still too much money being spent with declining revenues. The reductions I supported would not affect current programs and would still promote those issues that benefit the state of Montana.

Over the last two legislative sessions, Gov. Brian Schweitzer has pushed through a massive 40 percent increase in state spending. This session, the increase was 6.2 percent. That’s a dramatic improvement. In dollar figures, it translates into $8.1 billion in total funds.

The governor’s proposed budget originally called for $44.5 million more in state spending, which was eliminated. The federal government puts as much money into the state budget as the taxpayers, to the tune of $3.5 billion. State general fund revenue amounts to about $3.3 billion, and state special revenue contributes $1.3 billion.

Now that the main budget bill has passed the House, the main emphasis will be on House Bill 645, the Stimulus Bill. Congress is sending the state $870 million to be spent on various programs.

The counties, special interest groups, lobbyists and the public in general are lining up to let their needs be known. The House Appropriations Committee will put together a plan for distribution of stimulus money to be debated on the House floor.

As I have stated before, there is too much pork and politics in the stimulus, and it’s not going to solve Montana’s budget problems — in fact, it will only pressure the legislature to grow government in the future.

We need this process to be transparent, with members of the general public overseeing the spending. Stimulus spending must be made accountable to the people of Montana.

Rep. Bill Beck, R-Whitefish, represents House District 6, rural Whitefish.