A lesson about 'real money'

Montana is one of four states that have kept their budgets poised above the sea of red ink that has overwhelmed most everything else these days.

We don’t know if there is a common thread to the success of Montana, North Dakota, Arkansas and Alaska. Oil and other mineral revenues may play a role, but there are other states with rich deposits of minerals that are deep in debt.

In Montana’s case, there are a couple of other factors that should be acknowledged. One is the provision in the Montana Constitution that “appropriations by the legislature shall not exceed anticipated revenue.”

However, that rule has been stretched beyond recognition in the past with outrageously inaccurate budget forecasts. It takes real fiscal discipline to stay within budget by staying honest.

On this point, Gov. Brian Schweitzer must be given much of the credit for the solvency of the Montana state budget. He has vociferously defended the people’s money by demanding accurate forecasts, avoiding onerous tax hikes and judiciously cutting spending wherever possible.

This week, it was also confirmed that the governor’s program to crack down on tax cheats also has played a big role in maintaining the state’s revenue stream during the current tepid economy.

Audit collections are close to $80 million above the previous year.

“That’s real money where I come from,” Schweitzer declared, “and that’s why we have money in the bank.”

Schweitzer, of course, comes from Montana. Too bad more of the folks back in Washington, D.C., don’t share his perspective about “real money.”

THE MUSIC of Mozart — and a few other composers — is sounding this week at a variety of venues in Whitefish and Kalispell.

Festival Amadeus, in its third annual incarnation, once again is bringing top classical music to the valley.

This year’s festival offers nightly chamber or orchestra concerts in addition to a strong emphasis during the daytime on educating and training young musicians.

The final concerts are Friday and Sunday at the Christian Center in Kalispell and Saturday at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

Festival Amadeus is a great cultural addition to the Flathead Valley summer. Check it out if you can.