Last Minute for State Legislature

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana lawmakers are involved in behind-the-scenes negotiations as they look to wrap up the 2019 session.

Still in play is a proposal to continue a preschool program, one to allow NorthWestern Energy to buy a portion of a high-voltage transmission line and final approval of the two-year, $10.3 billion state budget.

A conference committee discussing a budget companion bill rejected a proposal for public and private preschool programs and was expected to meet Thursday to consider a plan to continue the current preschool program.

Republican Rep. Llew Jones says lawmakers haven’t agreed on a proposal to allow NorthWestern to buy a larger share of a coal-fired power plant in Colstrip if it’s able to acquire additional transmission capacity.

Lawmakers are still looking to adjourn Thursday.