Bill funding Northern auto tech. center hits 11th-hour roadblock

HELENA — A House bill that would fund $7.9 million for a massive overhaul to the automitve technology center at Montana State University-Northern is now in the fight of its life.

On Monday, the House majority leader asked that the $100 million bond program be reconsidered.

Rep. Tom McGillvray, R-Billings, said given the scope of House Bill 439, which uses about $100 million in bonds, he thought it should be reviewed again. His motion passed 52-42.

Reps. Kris Hansen, R-Havre, and Wendy Warburton, R-Havre, voted to reconsider. Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder, voted no. Warburton argued strongly for the measure when it first appeared in the House.

This morning, the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce sent an email message to members urging them to call on Warburton and Hansen to support the plan.

"It would be important to contact either Wendy Warburton or Kris Hansen and ask them to please support the bill that provides the funding for the renovation of the auto diesel building on the Northern campus." Chamber Executive Director Debbie Vandeberg wrote.

"I ask on behalf of the Hi-Line to vote tomorrow the same you did last Wednesday — to allow the bill to proceed to 3rd reading," she wrote on an emial to Havre's two representatives. "And give Northern a chance!!!!"

Warburton seemed to be saying this morning that the vote was laregly procedural.

She said the vote was regarding amendments the Seante added to the measure after it initially passesd the House.

The vote was "whether to concur with the Senate's amendments or to send the bill to conference committee to hash out the House version of the bill vs. the amendments the Senate put on it."

Monday's vote brought objections from the bill's sponsor.

"We looked at this bill extensively, " Rep. Galen Hollenbaugh, D-Helena, said, adding that the body was being asked to look at it again through some kind of "deal-making" with a senator.

The bill, which needs two-thirds of the House and Senate to pass, was up for its third and final reading Monday.

If approved, the bonds also would be used on such projects as:

• Combined state laboratories, $6.7 million;
• Montana Heritage Center, Helena, $23 million;
• Montana State University-Billings, science and instructional tech building, $14.25 million;
• Montana State University-Bozeman, classroom renovation, $2.5 million;
• Montana State University-Bozeman, Montana agricultural experiment stations, $1 million;
• Montana State University-Great Falls College of Technology, agricultural and trades building, $4 million;
• University of Montana-Missoula College of Technology, new facility, $29 million.

GOP Rep. Jeffrey Welborn came to the bill's defense.

"We came here to put Montanans back to work, " the Dillon resident said, adding the bill had a broad base of support. He asked others to join him in stopping McGillvray's motion. It was not immediately clear when the bill would be heard again.

Some lawmakers warn the bill will put residents in debt for 20 years and increase taxes.

(John Kelleher of the Havre Daily News contributed to this report.)