I see the Great Falls Tribune is reporting today that the “Region’s water projects get shaft in Bush budget.”

The Rocky Boys/North Central Montana Rural Project and Fort Peck Reservation/Dry Prairie Rural Water System did not make the cut in the President’s budget. Not mentioned in the article was any funding for St. Mary’s water project.

Although the President’s budget is just a blueprint and it is always changed by Congress, this will undoubtedly be a test for the current Montana Congressional delegation’s power. With the loss of Conrad Burns on some key appropriations subcommittees that spearheaded many of the water projects, we’ll see how the current delegation plans to get the much-needed funding. I remember during the last campaign that the Montana Democrats blasted Burns for not getting as much money for water projects as other states. I guess the ball is now in their court because they are in the majority.

If you remember, the democrats took over the House and the Senate this year by saying they were going to do away with many earmarks. We’ll see how this plays out between now and October.