School Funding Reform Bills at the Montana Legislature

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — An aggressive plan to revamp the state's complicated school funding proposal is scheduled for a key committee vote this week.

Republican state Sen. Llew Jones of Conrad has turned his deal-making skills to the measure that provides new money for schools — and also provides state support to cut local property tax levies.

New money largely comes from natural resource development.

The cost of the bill could exceed $150 million over two years.

The measure has so far drawn a wide mix of backers and has a fair chance of clearing the difficult legislative process.

Gov. Steve Bullock has his own plan to increase school funding about $70 million over the next two years but says he is willing to discuss Jones' proposal.