Billings Gazette

The best plan in the 2011 Legislature for creating jobs in the upcoming biennium while investing in Montana's long-term future received strong bipartisan approval Monday in the House Appropriations Committee.

By a vote of 15-6, the committee recommended passage of legislation to build up Montana's education and agriculture research infrastructure, preserve state history and improve veterans care.

House Bill 439 proposes that the state issue $89 million in bonds to be repaid over 20 years to update university facilities in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, Dillon and Havre, to provide a portion of the funding for an expanded Montana State Historical Museum across the street from the Capitol, to upgrade state ag labs and ag experiment stations and to help build a state veterans nursing home in Butte.

HB439 would provide good jobs over the next two years in construction trades hard hit by the recession.

The benefits of this bonding bill would outlive its 20-year payback. Consider one of the HB439 projects: expansion and renovation of the Science and Instructional Technology Center at Montana State University Billings. The now antiquated lab and classroom structure was built in 1947, with an addition in 1976. The number of students studying there has increased exponentially over the years as has the use of technology in science instruction. However, this old building can accommodate neither the number of students nor their need for technology to learn skills for the 21st century.

The proposed $14.7 million upgrade to the MSU Billings science building would be ready to serve future generations of Montana students in fall 2013 if the 2011 Legislature passes HB439.

More than half of the state's 150 lawmakers have signed on as cosponsors to the bonding bill introduced by Rep. Galen Hollenbaugh, D-Helena, and Sen. Carol Williams, D-Missoula. However, a state bonding bill requires support of two-thirds of the members of each chamber.

In committee, the bill received support from Appropriations Chairman Walter McNutt, R-Sidney; Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip; and Don Roberts, R-Billings. We appreciate their leadership and recognition that HB439 would greatly benefit their constituents in Billings and Eastern Montana.

When HB439 comes to a vote on the House floor, we call upon all Yellowstone County lawmakers to vote yes. We call on all lawmakers concerned about improved higher education and continued innovation in agriculture to vote yes.

The sponsors of HB439 have written in a provision that, even if the bill is passed and signed into law, the bonds won't be issued unless Montana's economy grows more than projected through June. The bonds can be issued only if state fiscal year 2011 revenue exceeds the $1.67 billion estimate adopted by the Legislature's revenue and transportation interim committee.

The Billings science building served a student body of 50 when it was constructed 64 years ago. The university's 5,000 students today need an update, an investment that will prepare the next generations of students for careers in Montana.