Governor Schweitzer Releases 2008-2009 Executive Budget
Executive Budget Posted at www.governor.mt.gov
(HELENA) - Governor Brian Schweitzer released the 2008-2009 Executive Budget today."My budget will be fiscally responsible and sustainable," said Governor Schweitzer. "We will not raise taxes - in fact - we are proposing to cut taxes by $150 million."
The fiscal parameters on the budget include:
* Cap on ongoing spending of $1.8 billion for FY 2009 going forward to next biennium
* Spending below estimated revenues
* $500 million cap on one-time spending for FY 08 and FY09
* No bonds, pay cash
* $100 million ending fund balance
* Anything left, goes into Big Sky Savings
Highlights of the budget covering the 2008-2009 biennium include:
$150 Million Tax Cut - Tax cuts include $100 million of one-time money back to homeowners, $20 million one-time money for suspending the water tax and $30 million in relief to small businesses (business equipment tax). Unlike the tax cuts in the 1990's, the tax cuts are actual cuts for Montanans, not tax shifts that give out-of-state residents and corporations a break while forcing an increase in small business and homeowners taxes.
Mental Health - The Governor's budget provides nearly $56 million for new facilities for criminally mentally ill and more community based care for those that suffer from mental illness. The administration began the transformation of Montana's mental health system by assessing the services and identifying gaps in the current delivery system so that Montanans suffering from mental illness can access consistent treatment therapies.
Full Day Kindergarten - The proposal would provide $25 million to schools to offer full-time kindergarten, but not mandate school boards to offer it or require parents to enroll students in kindergarten. The budget includes a total of nearly $230 million in ongoing and one-time-only for K-12.
Zero Tuition Increase - As part of his Square Deal for Montanans, the Governor's College Affordability Plan (CAP) proposal gives the Montana University System and the community colleges the money needed to hold tuition at current levels for the biennium. The biennial cost of this tuition proposal is approximately $50 million. This would be the first time since 1991 that tuition did not increase.
State Parks and Fishing Access Site Acquisition - To ensure that Montana continues to protect its cherished outdoor traditions, as part of his Square Deal, Governor Schweitzer is proposing $15 million for the acquisition of state parks and public access sites for hunting and fishing, and a "Families Fish for Free" program.
Increased Public Safety - For far too long Montana has had an overcrowded corrections system without adequate rehabilitation for offenders. This budget proposes $40 million for more community facilities including methamphetamine treatment, more parole officers and chemical dependency counselors, better wages for employees, additional guards and meeting the needs and the capacity up front.
Retirement Systems - The budget recommends a $100 million injection to the Teacher's Retirement System to help fix pension problem and saving taxpayers $500 million by cutting public pension guaranteed annual benefit adjustment (GABA) to 1.5% for new employees.
Pay Plan - A negotiated, fair pay plan with new labor/management flexibility is included in the budget with a base salary increase of 3%, a flexibility component: .6%, health insurance $33/month in 2008 and another $36/month in 2009 and longevity after 10 years 2% (from the current 1.5%)
Fire fighting - Wildfires can affect hundreds of lives, and dramatically and permanently damage and devalue property. The administration proposes to set aside $10 million for fighting fires.
Senior Trust Fund - The budget proposes establishing and funding $5 million into a trust fund to help provide for the needs of our aging population.
Secure Data Center and Back-Up Site - The state computer system is critical to the overall operation of state government, including 24/7 services for Montana citizens and businesses, it is currently not secure and does not properly back-up information the budget proposes we spend $25 million on this project.
Posted by admin at 05:56 PM | Comments (0)
(HELENA)-Governor Brian Schweitzer today announced his intention to hold the line on tuition for Montanan's university system in the 2007 session. "It's part of my square deal with Montanans," said Governor Schweitzer. "Our Montana kids should have the opportunity to go to college - affordability is a barrier that we have to address."
The Governor's proposal:
The College Affordability Plan: The Governor's plan would give the Montana University System the money needed to hold tuition at current levels for the biennium. The cost of this tuition proposal is approximately $50 million for the biennium. This would be the first time since 1991 tuition didn't increase.
"Montana's families have been priced out of an education. Our most talented should have the opportunity to attend college in Montana and be the engines that drive our state's future economic growth," Schweitzer said. Governor Schweitzer’s parents didn't graduate from high school, but sent all 6 of their children to college. "My own parents knew how important it was to dream and provide their children with the possibility of college. Education is for life."
In addition to the "CAP Tuition" proposal Governor Schweitzer last session started the Best and Brightest Scholarship program. When fully funded the Governor’s Postsecondary Scholarship Program will provide 970 new scholarships to Montanans.
The Governor has already announced his square deal proposals for:
* Rebating Montana homeowners $100 million of one time money or $400 per homeowner
* Suspending the water tax (HB22)
* And acquiring more state parks and fishing access sites across the state.
The Schweitzer administration has not raised taxes and does not support raising taxes. Governor Schweitzer advanced legislation that eliminated the business equipment tax for 13,000 small businesses. Recently Montana was ranked number 9 in best tax code for business and 12th best in state and local tax burden by The Tax Foundation.
Supporting Documents. Note: The following documents can be found on the Governor's website
* State Funding Per University Student (Powerpoint, 43K)
* Historical and Future Resident Tuition Rates (PDF, 23K)
Posted by admin at 10:16 PM | Comments (0)
(HELENA Governor Brian Schweitzer today announced he intends to propose legislation in the 2007 Session for state park acquisition, fishing access sites and a "Families Fish for Free" program. "It's part of my square deal with Montanans," said Governor Schweitzer. "Our hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation heritage is what makes us who we are in Montana - it is our way of life and it should be preserved for generations to come."
The Governor's proposals:
State Park Acquisition: The proposed program would identify and acquire new state parks in all regions of the state. "Many state parks get crowded at certain times of the year. We don't need anything fancy, but we need places for families to camp and recreate without having to make reservations far in advance. With ever increasing land prices, now is the time to do this."
Fishing Access Sites: The same urgency applies to fishing access sites. "Some floaters are waiting on the river for extended periods because some stretches are too crowded. Other stretches have great fishing, but they remain inaccessible. Many of these sites also offer excellent family recreational and camping opportunities."
The Square Deal proposal would allocate $15 million for the acquisition of state parks and fishing access sites.
"I want families to celebrate the new state parks and fishing access sites," said Governor Schweitzer. "I want grandma or grandpa to be able to take their grandkids to these new areas to fish. I want grandkids to have a first memory of fishing with their grandparents at a new state park."
Families Fish for Free: Under this proposal, kids under 15 will fish for free, as will adults 62 and over. A conservation license will still be required, but will cost nothing for those Montanans who fit the "Fish for Free" category. There are about 18,000 Montanans who bought licenses last year that would qualify. The cost to fund the program would be about $140,000 per year. "Kids and grandparents make great fishing partners," said Governor Schweitzer. "Let's make sure this Montana tradition is carried from generation to generation."
The Governor has already announced his proposal for rebating Montana homeowners $100 million of one time money or $400 per homeowner and for suspending the water tax (HB22). The Governor's proposal would give all the money to homeowners not to big corporations.
The Schweitzer administration has not raised taxes and does not support raising taxes. Governor Schweitzer advanced legislation that eliminated the business equipment tax for 13,000 small businesses. Recently Montana was ranked number 9 in best tax code for business and 12th best in state and local tax burden by The Tax Foundation. The state has the third fastest growing economy.
Posted by admin at 01:25 PM | Comments (0)
(GREAT FALLS) Governor Brian Schweitzer today announced he intends to propose to the 2007 Legislative Session a bill to suspend the water tax (HB 22). The suspension would apply to those who paid less than $400. Under this proposal those people would get their money back. The Governor has targeted hardworking Montanans, not big corporations to receive the benefit.
"I want to give Montanans a square deal," said Governor Schweitzer. "The acceleration of the adjudication process is critical to protecting Montana's water. But it can be done without placing an unnecessary burden on family farmers and ranchers."
The Governor's proposal:
Suspend the Water Tax (HB 22) -The "Square Deal" proposal would set aside about $20 million in one-time money for the water adjudication process. Under this proposal, water users who paid $400 or less would get their money back.
House Bill 22 was a scheme hatched in the Environmental Quality Council, a committee appointed by the 2003 Senate and House leadership under Speaker Doug Mood (R-Seeley Lake) and President Bob Keenan (R-Bigfork). The bill was brought before the 2005 Legislature by Rep. Walter McNutt (R-Sidney). The bill received support from the lobbyists of the Montana Stockgrowers Association and the Montana Farm Bureau.
"I have been in all 56 counties and folks don't support this," said Governor Schweitzer. "I have been listening to people from across the state and I have opposed this idea since it was first proposed in 2004. Those who claim they represent the farm and ranch people of this state should be listening too."
The average amount paid by the close to 90,000 Montanans was $45.00. This is the second announcement in a series of announcements to come on "Schweitzer's Square Deal with Montanans."
Last week the Governor announced his proposal for rebating Montana homeowners $100 million of one time money or about $400 per homeowner. The Governor's proposal would give all the money to homeowners not to big corporations.
The Schweitzer administration has not raised taxes and does not support raising taxes. Governor Schweitzer advanced legislation that eliminated the business equipment tax for 13,000 small businesses. Recently Montana was ranked number 9 in best tax code for business and 12th best in state and local tax burden by The Tax Foundation and has the third fastest growing economy.
Posted by admin at 01:41 PM | Comments (0)
* Progressive State Network MT: Governor Proposes Fair Tax Rebate
* City Lights: Observations from the peanut gallery
And then, on cue, come the comments from the Republican spokesman, reduced to sputtering by the governor’s superior dramatic skills.
Posted by admin at 08:16 AM | Comments (0)