Havre lawmaker says revenue could cause special session

A Havre lawmaker said declines in projected revenue could require the state Legislature to once again go into a special session.

“My understanding is revenue projections are down and if (Legislative Fiscal Division) doesn’t accept those revenue projections then we very likely will end up back here in Helena for a special session, probably in the summer,” Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre, said from Helena during a legislative teleconference Friday in Havre.

Bachmeier said most of the proposals to increase state revenue were shot down in the Legislature, although he mentioned a couple of proposals regarding gambling — blackjack and horse racing — that could bring in some more revenue.

But, if the state revenue doesn’t match or exceed the amount used in the budget proposal, the Legislature would have to meet again to balance the budget, as it did in 2017.

Bachmeier, the only local legislator at the videoconference, said he believes the budget is proceeding through the Senate fairly smoothly, although changes still could come.

One he said could happen is adding pre-kindergarten education funding, which was how the state funded that in 2017 — adding it as an amendment to the budget near the end of the session.

He said that the governor’s preferred funding bill, sponsored by House Minority Leader Casey Schreiner, D-Great Falls, died in the House, and Bachmeier then, with reservations, supported an alternate bill sponsored by Rep. Frederick “Eric” Moore, R-Miles City.

That bill would have a mix of public and private funding.

“The piece I like the most about that is that this would let money go to Head Start. I think that is very innovative for our state,” he said.

He had some problems with that bill, including that it bypasses Office of Public Instruction and put it in Department of Public Health and Human Services, and that he oppposes proposals like charter school funding bills in previous sessions that fund private education.

“I support keeping public money in public hands,” he said, but added that he was willing to back this compromise bill.

“Some education for our most vulnerable children is better than no education,” he said, “… I stand with the little kids in Montana.”

He said several of his bills are continuing through the session. A bill that would allow county commissioners to appoint people on an interim basis to fill elected positions is in a committee in the Senate, and a bill that would reduce fees and licensing required for people who make pet treats in a lower level of production, inspired by Havre business owner Keeley Wilson, is up for a hearing in the Senate as well.