Gazette opinion: Budget austerity taxes Montana college students

There’s a $22.6 million hole in the Montana University System budget with the appropriation provided by the Montana Legislature: $3.7 million: The amount by which the Montana University System state general fund appropriation will drop next year from this year’s level. $3.5 million: The amount needed to provide university employees with salary increases next year. $15.4 million: The amount needed to continue all existing university services for an increasing number of Montana resident students next year.