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Welcome to AFSCME Montana Council 9 and its 1700 members serving Montana. We are State, County, and City employees, law enforcement, corrections, school support staff, and health care workers.
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Cautious By CHARLES S. JOHNSON - IR State Bureau - 11/16/2008 Saying its time to batten down the hatches because of looming economic storms, Gov. Brian Schweitzer proposed a two-year state budget Saturday that cuts overall state spending by 2.5 percent, contains no tax and fee increases and offers no tax rebates.With economic uncertainties facing the state, the Democratic governor also insisted that the Legislature keep $250 million in the bank as a general-fund surplus throughout the next two-year budget period, this international credit crisis doesnt seem to have landed in Montana, Schweitzer said. If it does and when it does, we have $250 million in the bank to withstand the storm. If there are declining revenues, we wont have to raise taxes or reduce programs. Schweitzer touted his administrations fiscal discipline, saying it has enabled Montana to avoid the budget deficits faced by many states looking at having to raise taxes or cut spending.He acknowledged that not everyone will like his budget, and not all state programs will get much additional money. However, he said that hes been predicting since January it would be a belt-tightening budget. Now is the time to batten down the hatches, he said. His budget calls for spending $3.92 billion in state general fund money and one-time-only funds over the next two years, compared with the $4.02 billion being spent in the current two-year budget period. Thats about a cut of 2.5 percent, or $100 million, coming primarily from large reductions in one-time spending.However, ongoing general fund spending will rise by about $337 million or by 9.7 percent over the next two years over the past two years in Schweitzers budget. These totals dont include one-time-only spending.Comparisons for the all-funds budget, which also includes federal funds, were not immediately available.Schweitzers budget goes to the 2009 Legislature for its consideration. We are still looking at a significant increase in general fund spending, which is the real concern because that is ongoing money, said incoming Senate President Bob Story, R-Park City. If we dont have a sustainable revenue stream to support it, were going to have to look at further reductions. The new House speaker, Rep. Bob Bergren, D-Havre, endorsed Schweitzers proposal to keep an actual $250 million surplus With the economic downturn of the nation and trying to shield Montana from the inevitable recession that will happen, its time to leave a little grain in the bin. chweitzer likened the state’s situation to that of many Montanan families. We actually have the money today; the challenge is not to over-commit our spending, Schweitzer said. just like many Montana families, we are going to have to tighten our belts. If the state doesnt need to use the $250 million surplus over the next two years, Schweitzer said he will propose tax cuts in the 2011 legislative session. In 2007, he won passage of a plan that gave $400-per-household rebates to Montana homeowners totaling nearly $95 million.The budget contains few new programs.He proposed setting aside $25 million in one-time-only funds to retrofit state and university system buildings to reduce energy consumption. Its part of his proposal to cut state governments energy consumption by 20 percent by 2010.Schweitzers budget sets aside $20 million for each of the next two years to implement the initiative approved by voters earlier this month to expand the Childrens Health Insurance Plan to cover more uninsured children.His budget would boost K-12 school funding by more than $88 million over the next two years, which would amount to a 3 percent increase each year on the current base.Meanwhile, a decision is pending in district court on a challenge filed by some school districts and education groups that contend the state school funding system is unconstitutionally inadequate.Higher education is slated to see an increase of $35 million over the next two years, which Schweitzer called the second largest in state history. However, unlike two years ago, there are no guarantees that tuition wont be raised for in-state students.Schweitzer said the Board of Regents is an independent board that sets tuition, but he hopes members would make the appropriate decision to hold the line on tuition. The budget includes what Budget Director David Ewer said was enough money for modest increases in pay for state employees. However, contracts with unions representing state workers have not yet been negotiated.
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AFSCME Family Scholarship Scholarship Opening Date: August 1, 2008 Looking for financial support for college? Each year the AFSCME Family Scholarship Program provides at least 13 $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors that will be renewed for $2,000 each year for a maximum of four years, provided the student remains enrolled in a full-time course of study. The scholarship may be used for any field of study. |
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