The governor has been talking to interest groups, newspaper editorial boards and others to beat back claims that his budget spends too much. At the same time, he has been taking some shots at past Republican policies.
''For some reason at this point, he is very defensive about his proposal, and I don't know why,'' said House Majority Leader Michael Lange, R-Billings. ''Why would you be so defensive about a budget that is going to change to some degree through the process?''
''If the governor wants to debate me publicly, we'll go down to the Capitol rotunda and do that,'' Lange said.
Schweitzer met with House Democrats, who are at a 51-49 disadvantage to Republicans and the Constitutional Party in the chamber, and told them that they will need to step up and build a consensus. Democrats hold the Senate 26-24.
''You have a divided Legislature,'' he said. ''It's because Montana is divided.''
He told lawmakers to be kind to Republicans as they work through conflict so the public doesn't get the impression they are simply being rude to each other.
A short time later, the governor took a shot at past Republican policies that he said came out of the ''Ponzi book.'' He also said he wasn't using any ''Pat Davison accounting,'' a jab at the former GOP gubernatorial candidate who recently pleaded guilty to securities fraud.
''Why is he so intent on attacking Republicans in his proposal?'' Lange said.
Lawmakers have already started hearings on different portions of the governor's budget proposal.
The governor said the 2007 session will be known as the ''budget session'' - thanks to a $1 billion projected surplus.
Schweitzer said that during discussions about his budget, ''the first thing to go out the window are the facts.''
Legislative analysts, using the same methods they have for years, calculated that the governor's budget increased spending 26 percent over the next two years. Schweitzer said the actual increase - after taking away tax cuts and other initiatives he said shouldn't count - is really about 13 percent.
''It depends on your spin machine if you want to call it spending or whatever,'' Lange said. ''It's all allocated money.''
Schweitzer said he recognizes that the closely divided Legislature will adjust his budget. He told the Democrats it will be up to them to get it right.
''You will make changes,'' he said. ''You will work with the other side. You will make it a better budget, and I look forward to working with you.''
A glance at Gov. Brian Schweitzer's sales pitch for his budget now being considered by the Legislature. The governor said he really is saving much of the state's $988 million projected surplus, not spending it:
- $388 million is spent mainly on ongoing programs in K-12, in higher education to prevent college tuition increases, and to reform corrections with more treatment programs
- $150 million will be used for tax cuts and tax rebates
- $100 million will be set aside in the ''ending fund balance'' for a cushion, and $80 million will go into a savings account
- The governor says $100 million being spent to pay off a looming deficit in the pension system should not be counted as spending
- The remaining $170 million he says is being spent to pay for construction projects with cash rather than bonds, to help in a tax fight with a large corporation, buy land for access to rivers and parks, to fight forest fires, in an ongoing legal battle with Wyoming over water rights and in other areas
- Legislative analysts say the budget increases spending 26 percent over the next two years. The governor said actual ongoing spending is increased only about 13 percent.
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