Unfunded infrastructure: Montana Legislature’s spending debate likely to start right where it left off

The bill to repair and expand Montana’s infrastructure — from crumbling roads and aging bridges to century-old water mains and overloaded sewer plants — increases every year as construction costs rise and environmental regulations stiffen.

Yet many critical projects have gone unfunded for three legislative sessions or more. And legislators have not authorized new state debt since 2005, a primary way governments nationwide pay for public infrastructure. Even as it becomes more expensive to catch up, elected officials expect to face familiar political and financial challenges in 2017.

Jayme Fraser Independent Record

Full Story: http://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/unfunded-infrastructure-legislature-s-spending-debate-likely-to-start-right/article_e843f645-24e7-5bd3-8358-0358a22c2279.html

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Tough realities – SPECIAL REPORT: Montana’s disagreements mean federal funds don’t flow to communities http://www.matr.net/article-68984.html

Left in limbo – SPECIAL REPORT: Montana governor uses limited options to ease some communities’ pain http://www.matr.net/article-68964.html

State’s failure to fund infrastructure hits eastern Montana towns hard http://www.matr.net/article-68956.html