Almost a year ago, after seeing the 2007-08 committee assignments for Montana’s Congressional delegation, I blogged with a question: “Tough Times Ahead for the Military Folks in Montana?”

It appears the tough times are here. Today in the Great Falls Tribune there is a story about the problem the delegation is having securing the funding for new housing at the base. It has been wrapped up in red tape for a year partly because the Democratic minority in late 2006 did not want to pass any funding bills that would give the Republican majority at that time a positive issue to run on. Like I have said, “It is all about winning the next election.”

In winning the next election for the Democrats, Malmstrom AFB became the loser.

In the past, Malmstrom AFB received a dramatic influx of money from the federal government, starting around 1995 until 2007. Most of the construction at the base was a direct result of former Sen. Conrad Burns and his assignment on the Military Construction and the Defense committees in the senate. This funding also created hundreds of jobs, many done by local contractors.

So, here we are in January 2008 and the Air Force has cut the number of houses they will build by 111 (maybe more if the money is never released) because they are losing part of their missile mission and 500 personnel.

Tough times? You bet.