Budget cuts violate the ‘code’ – Senator Williams asks for lean, responsible budget to make Gene Autry proud

My favorite cowboy, Gene Autry, lived by a code. In Autry’s code, a cowboy would "be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals; help people in distress; respect women, parents and his nation’s laws; and never go back on trust confided in him."

I wish Gene Autry could have joined me for the 14-hour marathon debate on the state budget in Montana’s Senate.

By Carol Williams, guest opinion Mtstandard.com

Full Story: http://www.mtstandard.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_d6c7cad8-5b17-11e0-b798-001cc4c03286.html

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Mont. Senate President on Higher-Ed Funding, Values

Montana Senate President Jim Peterson took the time to answer questions from the Exponent on March 18, explaining his perspective on funding cuts to the Montana University System and justifying his bill to include the “Code of the West” in Montana’s law. The version of the state budget advancing through the Montana Legislature would cut $32.2 million from higher education, which could force a $1,200 tuition increase over the next two years.

Peterson has attracted criticism for sponsoring SB 216, a bill that would designate James P. Owen’s Code of the West, which includes maxims like “Ride for the brand” and “Take pride in your work,” as the official code of the state. While he and other Republicans defend the measure as a necessary expression of values, critics have labeled it frivolous.

Eric Dietrich

Full Story: http://www.exponent.montana.edu/2011/03/mont-senate-president-higher-ed-funding-values