HELENA – A bipartisan resolution to let Montana lawmakers set their own pace for appropriating federal stimulus dollars hit the House floor Tuesday, provoking partisan debate over whether Montana should accept the funds.
Joint Resolution 33, introduced by House Speaker Bob Bergren, D-Havre, was endorsed on a 59-41 vote. The measure, also supported by Senate President Bob Story, R-Park City, is intended to serve as a request for the more than $800 million in federal recovery money tagged for Montana.
It also aims to ensure lawmakers can set their own timeline for handling the money, pushing back against demands by the governor that appropriations work be finished by April 3.
Either the governor or the Legislature must certify by that date that Montana is ready to use the federal funds to create jobs and economic growth. Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer has pressured legislators to complete their work on House Bill 645, the stimulus bill, before he sends word to Washington, D.C., that the state is prepared for the money.
“I say Legislature, House of Representatives, let’s take control of our destiny. We are the appropriators,” Bergren told fellow lawmakers Tuesday.
The measure won support from every House Democrat, but split the Republican vote, with 41 rejecting a stimulus package they view as an irresponsible spending spree that will saddle future generations with debt.
“What a statement it would make to say ‘We’re going it alone, we’re going to try to do what’s right here,'” said House Minority Leader Scott Sales, R-Bozeman.
Unlike most states, Montana is not confronting a deficit. In fact, despite dwindling revenue projections, lawmakers are working with a budget buoyed by about $250 million in reserves, leading many Republicans to argue the national bailout is unnecessary in Montana.
“We’re picking up the tab and encumbering our generation and the generations after that to a much bigger part of the tab than we’re going to receive,” said Rep. Bob Wagner, R-Harrison.
After one more vote in the House, the resolution may move to the Senate.