Montana budget panel rescinds some cuts for higher education
HELENA — A Montana budget committee on Friday rescinded more than $11 million in spending cuts for higher education that could have meant a steep rise in tuition at university campuses.
The action by the House Appropriations Committee was a relief not only to students and their families, but to legislative Democrats who had been pushing Republicans to restore funding to education and health programs that were at risk from the budget ax.
The $11.6 million restored to the proposed budget of the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education had been part of a 5 percent across-the-board budget roll back ordered across state agencies.
“This is a good first step toward keeping college opportunity affordable and accessible for Montanans,” Kevin McRae, a deputy for the Commissioner of Higher Education, said about the restored funds.
Read more: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/10/montana-republicans-hold-line-health-spending-rollbacks/99023734/