HELENA, Mont. (AP) -- Republicans and Democrats brokered a House budget deal Monday that calls for full funding of the children's health insurance initiative that was approved last fall by voters -- and promises quick action on a normally contentious issue.Members of the House Appropriations Committee hailed an easy voice vote, with no debate, on the state's main spending plan as a historic work of bipartisanship.
"This is kind of a milestone in our time here," said Veteran GOP lawmaker Walter McNutt of Sidney. "I think we have demonstrated that you can come up here (to the Capitol) and get along."
The measure trims less than $100 million from the governor's proposed budget, fully funds $35 million to expand the Children's Health Insurance Plan and leaves the state with reserves of about $250 million for the upcoming two-year budget period.
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