House Republicans cut millions from the stalled state Department of Public Health and Human Services budget Friday, including $2.3 million in federal money for family planning to appease Jore and get his vote. But the measure still contains nearly $2 billion in federal dollars for the agency - a seeming contradiction for the ultraconservative Ronan lawmaker.
A vote on the measure is expected Saturday.
''I don't support family planning that supports abortion or (certain) types of contraceptives,'' he said.
When asked what his party and constituents would think of a ''yes'' vote on the bill, Jore acknowledged ''it's not going to be easy for me either way.''
''But I'm willing to work toward where we want to go or we'll end up gaining nothing,'' he said.
The House has been deadlocked over the social services budget since last week. The rest of the GOP's spending bills have passed out of the House and were forwarded to the Senate, which began its budget work Friday.
Federal money makes up nearly two-thirds of the DPHHS budget and funds large portions of programs that include food stamps, energy assistance, Medicaid, mental health and the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP.
Jore also served in the House from 1995-2000. He used to be a Republican, but left the party after his earlier terms over concerns the party was too eager to raise taxes and expand government.
His Web site states he opposed money for CHIP in the 1999 Legislature and will ''continue to oppose similar programs'' because he believes the funding is unconstitutional.
''Regardless of how noble the cause, it is simply wrong for government to tax those families who choose not to have health insurance (for economic or other reasons) to subsidize those who would have government pay for their health insurance,'' his Web site states.
Jore's party also doesn't believe in welfare as a government responsibility.
The social services budget is House Bill 808.
On the Net: Rick Jore: http://rickjore.com
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