Democrats' job training bill stopped in committee

Democrats' job training bill stopped in committee

HELENA — Legislation to train veterans and unemployed Montanans to be truck drivers has halted in committee after initially gaining bipartisan support.

Some opponents of Senate Bill 359 were skeptical that the bill targeted veterans since the proposal opened up its training services to all unemployed Montanans.

Others said the price tag could spiral well beyond the initial estimate of about $650,000 a year.

Supporters of the bill sponsored by Democratic Sen. Mary Caferro of Helena say the training would stimulate the economy and ease the transition for soldiers returning from combat.

The Senate gave an initial endorsement of the measure last month but then tabled the bill in Senate Finance and Claims Committee at the end of last week.

HELENA — Legislation to train veterans and unemployed Montanans to be truck drivers has halted in committee after initially gaining bipartisan support.

Some opponents of Senate Bill 359 were skeptical that the bill targeted veterans since the proposal opened up its training services to all unemployed Montanans.

Others said the price tag could spiral well beyond the initial estimate of about $650,000 a year.

Supporters of the bill sponsored by Democratic Sen. Mary Caferro of Helena say the training would stimulate the economy and ease the transition for soldiers returning from combat.

The Senate gave an initial endorsement of the measure last month but then tabled the bill in Senate Finance and Claims Committee at the end of last week.