State construction projects hit another roadblock

HELENA (AP) — A $180 million state plan to build education and other buildings — including automotive-diesel technology building at Montana State University-Northern

— in order to spur jobs is hitting a roadblock.

The Senate Finance and Claims Committee agreed Wednesday in a bipartisan vote to table the plan.

Chairman Rick Ripley of Wolf Creek says the bill was just too expensive. He says lawmakers need to start trimming priorities with just 15 days left to balance a budget.

Gov. Steve Bullock wants to issue low-interest bonds to pay for projects he argues will expand higher education and boost construction jobs.

But that idea is stalled in the House, unable to hit the two-thirds threshold needed to borrow money.

Ripley says he thinks there is still time to possibly revive it.