Schweitzer ups criticism of GOP legislators

HELENA — Gov. Brian Schweitzer is refreshing his criticism of Republican legislators and past administrations just in time for election season.

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer refreshes his criticism of Republican legislators just in time for election season during a speech Tuesda in Helenat. The term-limited Democrat is not on the ballot, but says voters need to support his colleagues if they expect good results.

Since last year, Schweitzer has been arguing that incoming state revenue showed that Republican legislative leaders were wrong to predict budget doom and gloom.

And now the governor says the state's $453 million surplus at the close of the fiscal year on June 30 will launch his "I-told-you-so" tour reminding them they were wrong.

Republican legislative leaders have argued the recession called for a cautious budget approach.

Schweitzer is wrapping up the final months of his second term. The Democrat is not on the ballot this November.

But he argued Tuesday voters need to elect Democrats to the Legislature and the governor's office if they want to continue those types of results.