Perhaps you've heard that on Wednesday, 4/13, the majority of Republicans at the Legislature finalized the proposed state budget (HB 2) sending it Governor Schweitzer.  Also on Wednesday legislators received news of a new revenue estimate from legislative staff; this new estimate increases Montana revenue by another $27 million in tax revenue over the next two years.  The Republican leadership has already demonstrated that they will ignore increased revenue estimates from the professional legislative staff; they never moved the previously suggested revenue estimate increase, HJ 2, out of House Taxation Committee. Yet, after presenting Governor Schweitzer with their version of HB 2 they decided it's time for a four-day break.

That's right; with only eight working days remaining in the 62nd Legislature, the Republican majority decided it's time for their spring break. Apparently they think they deserve it.

GOP leaders implied that until they hear back from the Governor on HB 2, there's not much forthem to do.  The Governor, on the other hand, has pointed out that it's hard to consider HB 2 without the companion bills that outline funding for specific things, like K-12 education (scheduled for a conference committe on 4/18) for example.  (See here for a list of companion bills.) Nonetheless, with the Republicans on spring break for four days, little progress can be made towards moving the companion bills to HB 2 closer to the Governor's desk.  

To compound the problems facing the close of this session, Republicans failed to compromise in the Free Conference Committee convened to compromise on the budget.  As a result, Governor Schweitzer has strongly indicated that he will veto HB 2 in its current form. Without an approved budget for the upcoming biennium, the 62nd legislative session in Montana will have to reconvene for a special session in June.  Perhaps the Republican majority want to reconvene in June for a special session and that's what their spring break is really all about.  Whatever the objective, it seems clear that they aren't interested in working for Montanans during their public service at the Capitol.

Democrats argued against the adjournment and several openly criticized their Republican colleagues.  In response to the Republican spring break, Sen. Anders Blewett (D-Great Falls) said, "GOP leadership has wasteda lot of time and taxpayer money this session shotgunning unconstitutional bills. Now that its time to do some heavy lifting, they're taking off for spring break."