HELENA – Senate Republicans are making quick work of the GOP spending plan already endorsed by the House, making only small changes despite harsh words from the administration that have left the threat of a veto hanging in the air.
A Senate budget committee was wrapping up work Monday, mostly rebuffing proposals from Democrats to restore pieces of Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s original proposal.
Senate President Jim Peterson says he doesn’t envision big changes once the budget hits the full Senate, perhaps as early as Saturday.
The Schweitzer administration has called the Republican spending plan “unacceptable.”
Peterson says he would love to hash out differences with Schweitzer, but doesn’t think the governor is willing to negotiate face-to-face. The governor has told others he needs some changes in the Republican plan.