Rep. Loge addresses Montana state budget

This week, the House has been discussing our main budget bill (House Bill 2) to fund state government for the next two years. It will now go to the Senate for further consideration.

As it stands, it is one of the most responsible state budgets that we have seen in recent history and comes in well below the maximum threshold that conservative think-tanks have set for a conservative Montana budget.

It adequately funds state government and gives Governor Gianforte the tools that he needs to continue finding efficiencies in state agencies. This is the only legislation required of the Montana Legislators.

Another priority bill passed this week to strengthen election security. Senate Bill 169 is a voter ID bill that ensures ballots are being legally cast by the person whose name is on the ballot. This is one of several election bills that will make Montana a leader in election integrity.

Next week we will be voting on House Bill 632 to allocate the latest round of federal COVID relief funds.

While I think it was fiscally irresponsible for Congress to take out more debt to fund this, if Montana doesn’t accept our portion it will just go to another state that is willing to take it.

We are committed to using the funds to fund one time infrastructure projects such as water, sewage, and broadband that fix currents problems or shortfalls without creating long term required expenditures.

House District Representative Denley M. Loge, St. Regis