Governor vetoes GOP plan to monitor stimulus

Calling it a "waste of taxpayer money," Gov. Brian Schweitzer has vetoed a Republican bill to create a commission to keep tabs on the nearly $800 million in federal stimulus dollars lawmakers have decided to spend over the next two years.

The bill, sponsored by Senate President Bob Story, R-Park City, also would have established a Web site for the public to monitor such spending. Schweitzer said his administration has already created such a site.

Other bills recently vetoed by the governor include:

Senate Bill 249: The act would require the Department of Justice to issue a limited-use driver's licence, under certain circumstances, to a person whose license has been suspended or revoked by another state.

Senate Bill 291: The act would establish a Montana Railroad Development Authority, replacing the existing Rail Service Competition Council, ostensibly to increase rail competition.

Senate Bill 349: The act would allow public officials to keep confidential certain information submitted as part of the public bidding or public contracting process for public highway and transportation projects.

House Bill 575: Among other things, the act would allow coal-bed methane producers to obtain permits to the use groundwater produced as a result of their drilling.

House Bill 629: The act would allow the deposit of any school trust land interest and income in excess of $1 million into the school flexibility account, broadening the uses for which the money could be spent.