Montana Gov. Bullocks budget proposes 27 highway patrol layoffs; AG calls plan dangerous
Montana’s governor is proposing a 10 percent reduction in funding for the Montana Highway Patrol, eliminating dozens of troopers from the force.
Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock’s budget for the next two years includes a $7.7 million reduction in the MHP budget, from $74,306,284 to $66,522,483. It’s the smallest amount Bullock has proposed for the MHP since becoming governor in 2012 and would cost the patrol 27 staff positions, most of them uniformed troopers.
Asked how Bullock decided on this amount, spokesman Tim Crowe said, “The governor proposed aligning expenses with revenues across the entire budget. The reduction to the Montana Highway Patrol is the proportional share of necessary reductions in gas taxes split between Montana Department of Transportation and the Department of Justice.”
Crowe did not answer a second question on whether the governor believes that the division can absorb the cut while still fulfilling its duties.
Read more: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/politics/bullock-s-budget-proposes-highway-patrol-layoffs-attorney-general-calls/article_86d2f1e0-a34b-53d2-906b-03848b21acd1.html
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