HELENA — Montana senators are taking up the budget to fund state services for the next two years.
Republican Llew Jones and Minority Leader Jon Sesso say senators plan to remain at the Capitol Thursday until the body endorses a version of House Bill 2.
At least 17 Democratic amendments and 13 from Republicans were prepared for possible inclusion.
By 10 a.m., senators voted 26-24 against an amendment from Democrat Mary Caferro that would have increased by 25 cents an hour the wages for tens of thousands of contract employees who work with developmentally disabled people.
Republican Bob Keenan said the Senate Finance and Claims Committee had already approved a 2 percent wage increase proposed by Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock. Overall, the committee added about $50 million back into the main budget bill through negotiations with the governor last week.