HELENA – Gov. Brian Schweitzer said Wednesday that big Republican wins in the state House won’t change his plans for the budget or state policy, and he promised to form a broad coalition to get state business done.
The Democratic governor will now be dealing with a GOP-controlled Legislature for the first time in his six-year tenure. Schweitzer at times has had a contentious relationship with legislative leaders — he recently sued them for passing an allegedly unconstitutional bill last year.
But he said many of the legislative leaders he blames for the nastiest disputes are now gone.
“I’ve built a good relationship with a lot of Republicans in the Legislature,” the governor said. “They will embrace some of the ideas we have, and we will embrace some of the ideas they have.”
Schweitzer said he thinks his goals of developing energy and running an efficient state government will work just fine with the new Republican majority in the Legislature. The governor said he expects to get along fine with potential GOP leaders like Rep. Mike Milburn of Cascade and Sen. Jim Peterson of Buffalo.
One leading Republican seemed more skeptical that the relationship would be cozy — and wasn’t sure a contentious showdown could be avoided.
“That will depend upon him,” said state Sen. Jeff Essmann, R-Billings.
Schweitzer said many Republicans won with campaigns that invoked national Democratic figures like President Barack Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and their policies. But, he added, no Republican won by complaining about the governor’s state policies.
The Republicans were set to claim as many as 68 of 100 seats in the House, though several races still too close to call on Wednesday. In the Senate, the Republican majority appeared it would grow by one to 28 of 50 seats.
The GOP promised throughout the campaign season to use the state Legislature however it could to stymie the policies of Washington D.C — especially by blocking state implementation of health care reform.
Schweitzer said he would listen.
“We’ll see what they come up with. I’ve got some ideas myself on how to change health care reform,” Schweitzer said.
Schweitzer said he will keep doing what he has done in past years when it comes to his energy, education and management policies. The governor said he has kept Montana one of the most fiscally sound states in the nation.
Schweitzer wasn’t worried that the big losses for his party were a referendum on his tenure.
“The Republicans successfully transplanted the stench of Washington, D.C., into the races of Montana,” Schweitzer said.