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Gov. Bullock discusses state budget, firefighting fund

Posted at 12:26 PM, Aug 17, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-17 15:34:45-04

HELENA — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock held a press conference to discuss the budget situation.

The governor announced that over $46 million was transferred over the weekend to the fund used to fight wildfires in Montana.

Gov. Bullock says the fire fund is now funded at its statutory maximum.

The money was added as Montana comes into what is historically the height of the wildfire season.

The fire fund now contains enough money to cover nearly five average years of state fire suppression costs, according to Gov. Bullock.

Additionally, The Budget Stabilization Reserve, also known as the "rainy day fund" is fully funded to a tune of $144.2 million -- the statutory cap -- for the second straight year, according to Gov. Bullock.

Gov. Bullock also noted in a news release that "Fitch Ratings recently affirmed Montana’s general obligation bond rating of AA+ and declared Montana’s outlook as stable."

Watch the full press conference below.

Gov. Bullock discusses state budget, firefighting fund