Corporate loopholes are sinking Montana’s state coffers

Elections for the Montana Legislature are around the corner and already the disagreements over how state money should be spent have started.

Education needs an increase in funding, as does the Department of Health and Human Services, as does the Department of Corrections. The needs are many but the truth of the upcoming session is that revenue is going to be scarce. The General Fund Revenue Monitoring Report, issued by the Legislative Fiscal Division as the basis of what will become the governor’s budget, has available revenue under $100 million. To provide some perspective, the available revenue last biennium was approximately $500 million. The Legislature will be working with significantly less money this upcoming session.

By DUSTIN HANKINSON

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2008/04/17/opinion/guest/guest56.txt