by Evelyn Pyburn-Yellowstone County News
The leadership of the State Legislature has sent Governor Steve Bullock another letter – this one asking the Governor to exercise some prudence in the state budget in anticipation of some likely short falls in the next year.
They reminded the Governor that he recently stated that he expects “significant revenue shortfalls going forward” in regard to state finances.
They asked the Governor to consider reducing state spending before the end of this fiscal year (ends June 30) and next year. “By reducing spending now, this small effort will help us moving forward in 2021 legislative session from having to make some possible significant budget reductions that could have an adverse impact on the state of Montana.”
The letter, sent on Tuesday, was signed by the leadership of both the Montana Senate and House: President of the Senate, Scott Sales; Speaker of the House, Greg Hertz; Mark Blasdel, President Pro-Tem; Wylie Galt, Speaker Pro-Tem; Fred Thomas, Senate Majority Leader; and Brad Tschida, House Majority Leader.
The leadership sent the Governor a letter a couple weeks ago regarding the severity of the actions Gov. Bullock took in shutting down businesses and restricting activities of citizens, as violating citizens’ rights and the Constitution. They mentioned, too, concerns about budget shortfalls and the need to be more financially prudent.
In their most recent letter the legislators told the Governor that they agree with his assessment. “We expect to see to see immediate reductions in oil taxes, gaming taxes, lodging taxes, rental car taxes, coal taxes, metal mine taxes, lottery profits and income withholding taxes, just to name a few,” they said.
“Fortunately, Montana has strong cash reserves that will allow for short-term revenue losses during the current and coming fiscal year. However, we feel that it would be prudent to be prepared for the possible continuation of revenue losses into the next biennium.”
