MONTANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY

Volume 43, Number 2, Summer  2005

Montana School Quality

by

Myles Watts and Douglas J. Young

In a recent court ruling, Montana’s school funding system was declared unconstitutional. The Legislature spent a good portion of the 2005 session discussing this issue and will likely discuss it further at a special session later this year. So far, much of the discussion has focused on defining a “quality” education and the cost implications of alternative funding formulas. Estimates of the additional cost of complying with the court decisions have ranged from tens of millions of dollars to more than $300 million. For many Montanans, an equally important issue is how well the schools perform. How will spending more money affect the quality of education?

Montana Develops Creative Ways to Educate Creative People

by

Amy Joyner

To become successful artists, many Montanans have found that they need to know business basics. Trace, or Transforming Regional Artisans into Creative Entrepreneurs, is a program that strives to foster sustainable, economic solutions for artists and craftspeople while helping the state further develop its creative and entrepreneurial spirit as a basis for economic growth.

A New Day in Health Care and Human Services for Montana's Children?

by

Steve Yeakel

Budgets for most programs impacting Montana’s children and young families received significant increases for the first time in recent history, and several pieces of legislation critical to their health and well-being took effect.

Faster Growth Expected for Montana Economy

by

Paul E. Polzin

For the first time, BBER has issued mid-year revisions to its annual forecast of statewide economy activity, and many of the important sectors have been adjusted upward. Reasons for upward revisions include higher commodity prices; increases in construction; changes in military and real estate earnings.

High Gas Prices

A Silver Lining for Montana's Economy?

by

Paul E. Polzin

Gas prices of more than $2.00 a gallon are taking a toll on Montana drivers, but they are bringing prosperity to eastern portions of the state that have seen relatively little good economic news for decades. Employment data show about 700 new jobs in oil extraction and related industries in Richland and Yellowstone counties.