The Republican majority continued Monday to push amendments onto bills for services such as community art programs and local projects, tying them to the fate of the GOP spending plan. The move has raised the ire of Democrats who likely would otherwise support the various measures.
A Helena Democrat said the so-called contingency language making its way onto more and more measures shows the ''poison politics that are going through this chamber.''
Democrats argued Monday, as they did last week, that the various measures have nothing to do with the eight GOP budget bills that have been sent to the Senate. They say tying them to the spending plan may even be unconstitutional.
Republicans say they must use the contingency language to make sure their spending plans are not rewritten by Senate Democrats. The Republicans argue they are protecting themselves from partisan Democrats intent on burying the GOP spending proposals.
The contingency language, even if removed by the Senate, gives the House GOP leverage as both chambers of the Legislature look to reconcile differences when the lawmaking session draws to a close, Republicans say.
It may appear that the language could doom pet projects covered by the bills being held hostage, but in the end it should all work out, argued Rep. Alan Olson, R-Roundup.
''I've been around here long enough. It's going to be taken care of before we go home,'' he said.
A Senate committee worked on the budget plans Monday and will continue doing so through the week.
The GOP spending proposals split the state budget into separate bills for the first time in 30 years. Democrats have been looking for ways to restore Gov. Brian Schweitzer's budget offering that includes many of his top priorities, such as full-day kindergarten.
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