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Montana’s Republican legislators ground governor’s plane

February 17, 2015 /

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On a partisan vote, a budget subcommittee on Monday stripped away the money to pay for operation of the airplane used by Montana Gov. Steve Bullock from the state budget.

Rep. Brad Tschida, R-Missoula http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/64th/leg_info.asp?HouseID=0&SessionID=109&LAWSID=16525 , made the motion, and the Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government approved it 4-2. The panel’s four Republicans voted for it, while its two Democrats voted no.

The money was sought to pay $662,000 for operating costs of the Beechcraft King Air plane and pay the pilot’s salary and benefits.

"At $1,650 an hour, it seems like there were better uses of these resources," Tschida said.

CHARLES S. JOHNSON

Full Story: http://ravallirepublic.com/missoula/news/state-and-regional/montana-legislature/article_2a26e552-04ad-5dbf-bedd-b6a2491f6fbf.html