Lawmakers await governor's response on budget

HELENA — Republican leaders say the Legislature is taking a break until Tuesday as they await the governor's response on the budget bill.

House Speaker Mike Milburn says a small pay increase for state employees is a main sticking point.

But Gov. Brian Schweitzer says the lawmakers have a lot more work to do — led by a school funding plan mired in an internal Republican dispute.

Schweitzer has until Saturday to respond to House Bill 2, the primary budget bill. He has indicated that a rewrite, known as an amendatory veto, is likely — but he is not giving any specifics.

The GOP plan would cut a little in state spending from Schweitzer's original proposal. It also abandons about $100 million in federal money largely for programs aimed at the needy.