HELENA – The conservative faction in the Senate is trying to backtrack on the Legislature’s bipartisan budget deal.
The Senate hit a roadblock Wednesday when it tried to accept the budget deal negotiated between House Republican leaders and Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock. It had been overwhelmingly approved by the House earlier in the day.
Conservative Senate leaders who have been on the losing end of major votes this session used a procedural motion to block the bill. They threatened to kill the bipartisan compromise unless the governor offered more concessions. They did not specify their demands.
The governor’s office said there would be no more negotiations.
Spokesman Kevin O’Brien said the Senate Republican leaders agreed to the compromise on Tuesday. He says they need to stick with it.
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