News Release
Governor Schweitzer - Successful Session - No New Taxes
Applauds Legislature for Their Hard Work
4/21/2005
Sarah Elliott
406-444-9725
selliott@mt.gov
"The Legislature has worked very hard this session", said Governor Schweitzer. "They worked together, with a can-do attitude and moved bills forward that create better paying jobs, provide quality, affordable healthcare and make education a top priority. Even more importantly, we delivered a sustainable budget without raising taxes and have a very strong ending fund balance."
The Governor listed as key issues the legislature passed:
† Country of origin labeling (HB 406)
† Governor's post-secondary scholarship program (HB 435)
† $80 million for K-12 education and the defining of quality education (SB 152)
† Hunting and fishing habitat and access programs (HB 56 and HB 79)
† Lowered taxes for 13,000 small businesses (SB 48)
† Affordable prescription drug program (SB 324)
† School Funding - equitable and sufficient to ease property tax burdens (HB 63)
† Budget Items - including bonding for education, water and local government infrastructure (HB 540)
† Reinstating the Made in Montana program (SB 329)
† Revising the ethanol laws (SB 293)
He also listed: promotion of the film industry, the supplemental funding for Low Income Energy Assistance Program, military death benefits, renewable energy, small employer health insurance, funding for Indian Education for All, tribal economic development, and methamphetamine prevention bills.
The Governor did address some disappointments as well. "With a background in business, I know how important it is to challenge every expense and get the most for our money," said Governor Schweitzer. "I am disappointed my proposal to have an efficiency review (HB 241) did not pass. We can cut costs without cutting services by examining every government expenditure. I believe the savings will add up to millions of dollars."
Schweitzer also cited the tabling of the ethics bill as a disappointment. "The people of Montana deserve better - this bill was a question of trust and accountability."
