California Journal of Politics and Policy

The 64^th Montana Legislature ended its constitutionally mandated 90 day biennium session with a nearly $11 billion, two-year, all funds budget in April 2013. Aside from constructing a balanced budget the legislature attempted to resolve a number of long standing policy issues ranging from public pensions to school funding. Newly elected Democratic Governor Steve Bullock presented his budget which called for investing in Main Street, investing more in Montana’s education system, creating health care solutions that improve access for Montanans, and bringing high paying jobs to the state. The governor’s budget included increases in spending and $110 million in tax cuts, but after a contentious legislative session many of the items on the governor’s agenda will not be implemented. The governor vetoed 71 bills, which was the second highest for any governor in Montana history.

There is not a legislative session in 2014 – the next legislature will convene in January 2015. This update contains financial, political, and policy updates that have occurred since the last legislative session.