House GOP Passes Budget Leaving Democratic Amendments Behind

The Republican-led House passed a $10 billion budget bill just hours after Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock threatened to veto it for failing to fund critical services such as protecting children from abuse.

Bullock issued the threat Thursday while the House was rejecting Democratic efforts to restore about $1 billion in funding and programs included in his budget proposal.

The House passed the bill 59-41 on a party-line vote Thursday afternoon.

Bullock said the Senate and his administration must reject the unproductive actions of House leadership and work together on a budget that lives within the state's means and meets the needs of Montanans.

Rep. Nancy Ballance of Hamilton said GOP-led committees dove into the details of state agencies for six weeks to develop the leaner Republican budget proposal.