Montana Governor Rejects Bill That Would Direct Cannabis Tax Revenue To ‘Cops And Conversation’

*“It is unfortunate that public safety and law enforcement will suffer
because nine Republicans who gave the Democrats a ‘working majority’ in the
Senate spent too much money.”*

*By Amanda Eggert, Montana Free Press*

Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) last week vetoed a bill that would divide revenues
generated by adult-use marijuana sales between a variety of conservation,
law enforcement, addiction treatment and homelessness support initiatives.

In a veto letter dated June 6, Gianforte argued that however well
intentioned, Senate Bill 537 amounts to a “brazen raid of more than $141
million from the General Fund over the next four years.”

“While putting the state on the hook for local government functions, Senate
Bill 537 naturally grows state government at a time when we should be
focused on right-sizing government, making it more efficient, more
effective and leaner,” Gianforte wrote.

Sen. Daniel Zolnikov (R-Billings) told Montana Free Press (MTFP) he
understands Gianforte’s reasoning, but is still disappointed in the veto of
his proposal, which he had dubbed the “cops and conservation” bill.

Zolnikov also expressed frustration with the 2025 Legislature’s political
dynamics, which he suggested created the need for his bill, placing
particular blame on nine moderate Republicans who voted in concert with
Democrats on key issues. The Legislature “failed to do its job of
prioritizing spending needs,” Zolnikov said.

“It is unfortunate that public safety and law enforcement will suffer
because nine Republicans who gave the Democrats a ‘working majority’ in the
Senate spent too much money, but I understand the governor has to make
tough decisions as he has to veto his way to a balanced budget,” he
continued. “It is too bad that he chose to veto money going toward law
enforcement, rape kits, drug testing and [behavioral] health instead of
vetoing a $900 million bill that established a trust fund for subsidizing
child care and housing, amongst other new government programs.”

The $900 million proposal Zolnikov referenced, House Bill 924, sometimes
referred to as the “mega trust bill,” also includes funding for water
projects, the state pension system, bridge repairs and property tax credits
for primary residences. It arrived on Gianforte’s desk Tuesday, more than a
month after the Legislature adjourned.

Since more than two-thirds of state lawmakers voted to pass SB 537, the
secretary of state will send out a poll to lawmakers giving them an
opportunity to override the veto.

In a follow-up conversation with MTFP, Zolnikov said he’s not holding his
breath for a reversal.

“It’s kind of hard to say, ‘No, we need to spend this money’ when we just
overspent,” he said. “There have to be some pretty active groups to start
supporting [a veto override], like local law enforcement agencies and
whatnot. Unless they show up, I don’t see that happening.”

Last month Gianforte signed into law House Bill 932, a competing proposal
sponsored by Rep. Ken Walsh (R-Twin Bridges). HB 932 resembles SB 537 in
that it devotes one-third of marijuana tax revenues to fund conservation
and wildlife habitat programs on private and public land. HB 932 differs in
that it funnels most of the remainder into the state’s General Fund, which
supports K-12 education, public health programs, correctional facilities
and other government functions.

*This story was originally published by Montana Free Press
at montanafreepress.org.*

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