Baucus plugs stimulus plan, children's health care

HELENA – U.S. Sen. Max Baucus reassured state lawmakers today that the federal stimulus package would boost Montana’s economy through shovel-ready projects that will employ 11,000 people.

“One thing is clear,” Baucus said. “The economic recovery and jobs bill provide the jolt our economy needs.”

As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Baucus (pictured) said he worked to make the money in the American Recovery and Relief Act available as quickly as possible to Americans.

“Not everyone agreed on the final package,” Baucus said. “Negotiations were tense at times.”

Montana will receive $626 million of the nearly $800 billion bill for education, healthcare and infrastructure projects across the state.

“It’s not perfect, but it’s necessary,” Baucus said.

Baucus also stressed the importance of the Children’s Health Insurance Plan. Earlier that day, Republican members of a key budget committee voted against a bill to fund a voter-approved expansion of the popular CHIP program.

“Children’s health insurance is not a partisan issue,” Baucus told legislators.

A CHIP expansion was approved by Montana voters this fall.

- Story by CNS correspondent Molly Priddy

Photo by Alison Smith