GOP budget cuts are wrong-headed

In mid-March, the Montana House of Representatives passed a gutted version of Gov. Steve Bullock’s budget proposal, despite heavy opposition by Democrats and in direct conflict with the public interest.

The Appropriations Committee is charged with crafting a responsible budget each session for consideration of the Legislature. In 2013, the committee compromised to produce a sound budget everyone could stand behind, one that reflected the hard work and commitment of everyone involved.

This session, however, Republicans slashed $160 million in essential services in spite of Montana’s economic prosperity. Republicans refused 73 amendments and passed a budget in complete disarray, one that is unacceptable to our caucus and offensive to hard-working Montanans. These cuts will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable of our citizens while other measures and proposed tax cuts would deplete the $300 million rainy day fund.

Saddest of all, Republicans seem content to deal the most egregious blows to children. They rejected the governor’s Early Edge proposal, eliminated the Early Literacy Program, slashed $3.1 million in student scholarships, refused pay increases for Special Education workers, cut $6 million in services for children with autism, and cut funding for child protective services. These decisions are hurtful to more than just our families — initiatives like Early Edge are shown to have at least a 7-1 return on investment for our economy!

Under the GOP plan, Montana’s vulnerable adults suffer as well. The committee refused to fund suicide prevention grants to Indian tribes, and cut funding to the agency that administers public assistance programs. The MDT Transit system, used by seniors and disabled citizens, was torpedoed. They refused overtime pay for some of the lowest-paid public workers with some of the most crucial jobs, including the Department of Corrections, and showed complete indifference toward mentally ill prisoners who would benefit most from rehabilitation.

Partisan politics were clearly present when the general government budget came into play. Under the GOP’s current proposal, the executive branch faces significant cuts that will surely inhibit that office’s ability to effectively govern. Agency budgets were decided strictly on partisan lines, with no process of deliberation or setting priorities.

To no one’s surprise, the GOP went after Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices, which is charged with ensuring compliance with our state’s campaign laws and regulations. They refused to fund the office’s only staff attorney, incapacitating its ability to enforce laws which maintain free and fair elections. They also cut the commissioner’s salary, in clear violation of Montana statute.

It turns out that the “free market” party isn’t a very good business partner, either. Last session the Republican majority encouraged state agencies to enter into contracts with the private sector. Now, they refuse to fund agency rent increases in those negotiated contracts. Conservative Republicans also refused to fund the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes water compact, which was delicately negotiated between the tribes and the state and has already passed the Senate.

Now the budget heads to the Senate, where it will be heard in the Finance and Claims Committee starting Monday. With a Democratic governor and Republicans in the state House, bipartisan compromise is a must. Let’s put partisan politics aside to pass a budget that’s good for Montanans, not political parties.

Democrats are prepared to cooperate and compromise, but we will continue to stand up for what is right.

Sen. Jon Sesso, D-Butte, is minority leader in the Montana Senate.