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Montana Legislators Seeking Comment on Budget Cuts

By Beacon Staff

HELENA – The Legislative Finance Committee is seeking public comment on the proposed $40.5 million cuts to state spending.

Montanans can submit comments until March 1 by e-mailing leginfo(at)mt.gov. The committee also will take comments at a public hearing on March 4 at 8 a.m. in Room 317 of the State Capitol.

Republican Rep. Llew Jones of Conrad says there will be limited time at the meeting for comments, so he comments by e-mail and asks that people include their name as well as the name of any agency or group they represent. Comments will be provided to legislators and summarized for discussion at the Legislative Finance Committee meeting.

The governor’s budget office has proposed cutting most state programs and services by about 5 percent, for a total of $40.5 million in cuts over the next two years in an effort to maintain a balanced budget, as is required by the state constitution.