Missoula Democrats Take Issue With Budget

The Montana House passed a budget bill onto the Senate that reached the Governor’s desk on Wednesday. Republicans, who control the House with a 68 to 32 margin, believe voters sent them to Helena with a mandate. Those marching orders included reducing state spending. Governor Brian Schweitzer is preparing to veto or rewrite the bill. Missoula County Democrats Chair, Jason Wiener, says those cuts cannot be taken from the poor and downtrodden.

Republicans have enough votes in the house to override a veto but would have to convince 5 democrats in the senate that this is the proper spending plan for the next 2 years.