Nation Sees Montana Heading in Right Direction

Sidney Herald

Opinion

Jan. 19, 2010

We are proud that Montana is receiving national attention for its disciplined spending and its progressive approach.

Just last week, the Wall Street Journal hailed the Big Sky state and Gov. Brian Schweitzer. Montana is one of only three states without a budget deficit, the other two are North Dakota and Texas.

The Wall Street Journal wrote, “Mr. Schweitzer was a keynote speaker at the Democratic convention in 2008 and was trumpeted as the new brand of centrist, fiscally pragmatic Democrats. Too bad he’s not running Congress. After the election the Washington Democrats forgot that message and blew out the national balance sheet with an unprecedented spending binge. If President Obama and other Democrats want to rehabilitate themselves in 2010, they could do worse than follow Mr. Schweitzer’s common-sense lead and cut federal agency spending by 5 percent.”

State savings announced by Schweitzer have included:

• $4.5 million cancelling renovations of the Receiving Hospital Building on the Montana State Hospital Campus.

• $2 million in savings by state government by agreeing to suspend some wildfire-related equipment purchases and fuels reduction projects in 2010.

• $600,000 not bailing out Swank Enterprises clean up liabilities.

• $380,000 over the biennium with the elimination of the RDO positions in Commerce.

• $350,000 reducing out-of-state travel by 35 percent.

• $131,000 in savings from Department of Revenue printing less tax booklets.

• $119,000 in estimated savings by DNRC using video conferencing equipment instead of travel.

• $20,000 in estimated saving by not printing a state directory. Employees and the public will be able to use the directory online at mt.gov.

The governor has also started a Montana Accountability Partnership Contest where the winner will earn a one-ounce palladium coin donated by the Stillwater Mine for the best cost savings and efficiency idea.

Even famed Republican Newt Gingrich has taken notice. The former House speaker is seeking Schweitzer’s assistance in the American Solutions for Winning the Future project. The program is looking for governing ideas for the economy, education, energy and budget issues.

During these challenging economic times, we’re glad that Montana can be pointed to as a leader to help our country get back on track.