A $500,000 Boulder Development Fund in the proposed state budget was removed in committee last week. The fund, included by the governor’s office to help the community of Boulder mitigate economic impacts from the closure of the Montana Developmental Center, was taken out at a committee hearing on a 10-8 vote. The fund had passed easily in the House, both in committee and on the House floor.
In an opinion piece published March 31, Great Falls Tribune reporter Phil Drake said the Senate Finance and Claims Committee noted a proposal is in the works for one unit of the MDC to remain open for up to another two years and reasoned that meant the MDC was not closing completely so the money was not needed.
“I asked the governor Thursday about the $500,000 being yanked and if it hurt the state’s credibility in dealing with communities,” wrote Drake. “He said Boulder did take the state’s word in good faith and should have been able to rely on that promise.” Noting the existence of a couple more MDC bills, and saying “anything can happen,” Drake wrote, “But next time the state makes a promise, if I were Boulder, I’d ask for the money up front.”
Jefferson County Commissioner Bob Mullen said efforts to revive the funding will continue. The MDC workforce has already reduced by about 40 percent, meaning the disappearance of over 100 jobs, accounting for a huge negative impact on the Boulder job market, he said. Mullen crafted a letter to members of the legislative committee explaining the need for the funding and appealing for a reconsideration. In a vote on the Senate floor Monday, an amendment offered by Sen. Keenan, chair of the Senate Finance and Claims Committee, to restore the funds failed 23-24 with three members of the Senate absent.
