Keeping a close watch on funds

Life in Helena is moving at a furious pace. I am serving on the House Appropriations Committee and the Joint Appropriations Subcommittee for Corrections and Public Safety.

Our committees are reviewing the agencies' budgets that have been assigned to us and all of the House bills that impact the general fund.

Because of the near $1 billion surplus the state is now experiencing, there seems to be a dramatic increase in most of the agencies' requests. It's true that some of the departments have had some lean years and are justified in their presentations, but a significant amount of new proposals are questionable.

I feel it's my responsibility as an elected official to keep a close watch on the funds that have been entrusted to the state through taxes, federal grants, fees, registrations, etc. The use of these funds should benefit all the people of Montana by providing economic growth, educational freedom, property rights, public safety and access to our state lands and water ways.

I plan to keep everyone in my district informed on crucial bills and to get your input regarding your concerns. Remember, I am down here to represent you.

My e-mail at the capitol is repbbeck@amerion.com. My telephone number is (406) 444-4800. My mailing address: Capitol Building, P.O. Box 200400, Helena MT 59620-0400.

Rep. Bill Beck HD6

Whitefish