Governor urges fast action on stimulus spending

HELENA – Gov. Brian Schweitzer outlined his plan for the state’s share of the stimulus money today, saying lawmakers need to move quickly and appropriate the money to jump start the timber industry, freeze tuition and rebuild highways.

“The Montana Reinvestment Act will put Montana back to work,” Schweitzer said at a press conference.

Schweitzer asked lawmakers to have the stimulus bill ready to go by April 3, a deadline, he said, was put on the money by the federal government.

“They have said use it or lose it,” Schweitzer said.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jon Sesso, D-Butte, said it would be tight but the Legislature will be able to get the bill out in time.

“We’ll adjust as necessary,” Sesso said. “If the federal government can get it done in 45 days, we’ll get it done in 22.”

If legislators follow through with Schweitzer’s demand, they would only have 22 legislative days to complete the task.

Schweitzer’s plan for the stimulus money includes $42 million for a two-year tuition freeze at Montana colleges, $43 million to stabilize teacher retirement funds and $10 million for the struggling timber industry.

“Unemployment rates in Montana are relatively low until you get to northwest Montana, where the timber industry is hurting,” Schweitzer said.

The money would be used to buy new equipment for sawmills to help them deal with the thousands of acres of trees that have been killed by beetles, Schweitzer said.

Sesso said the schedule for the stimulus bill has been moved up, and plans on introducing the bill on Saturday. It will still work in tandem with the state budget, Sesso said.

-by CNS correspondent Molly Priddy