Dems want $1 billion of Montana’s budget surplus spent on housing, childcare and mental health

Legislative Democrats said Wednesday they want to spend Montana’s sizable budget surplus on a billion-dollar effort to help residents who are struggling with the cost of housing, property taxes, childcare and mental health services.

Their proposal, announced at a press conference at the state Capitol in Helena, would put $500 million toward building subsidized housing for rent or purchase, $250 million to property tax relief, $125 million to childcare affordability, and $125 million to increased funding for mental health services...