Rotunda Report

Senate Republicans passed a balanced budget! The final document reduces spending and promotes fiscal responsibility and job growth that will benefit Montana’s families and small businesses.

“The Republican proposal includes prudent and responsible decisions to match spending with revenue while protecting the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Senate Majority Leader Jeff Essmann (R-Billings). “Republicans have prepared a responsible budget for today, to create more opportunity tomorrow.”

The Republican budget reduces state General Fund spending by 7.4 percent or $287 million.

“During the budget debate, Democrats proposed nearly $400 million more in government spending. These types of liberal, big government, tax and spend policies are simply not sustainable and discourage job creation,” said Senate Finance and Claims Committee Chairman Dave Lewis (R-Helena).

Lewis continued, “The budget was developed using professional estimates of future economic growth and with an analytical review of expenditures. This was a long overdue exercise to tighten the belts of government agencies just like ordinary Montanans have had to do at home.”

“Republicans put a stop to irresponsible, continuous growth in government and matched spending to revenue, just like every Montana family and business,” closed Senate President Jim Peterson (R-Buffalo). “This budget is built on sound fundamentals, does not spend money we don’t have, and is an honest deal with the people of Montana.”