University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research

Montana is facing a state budget crisis. The state is projected to have about $200 million less than it needs to fund everything in the budget that lawmakers and the governor agreed to this year. That much is clear, but there's a lot of disagreement about why the $200 million hole is there, and what to do about it.

The budget that state lawmakers passed, and that Governor Steve Bullock signed, was based on forecasts that projected Montana's economy would generate a lot more tax revenue than it actually did. That budget is now falling apart.

But the Bullock administration continues to tout the strength of Montana's economy. 

Healthcare employment in Montana grew by more than 3 percent last year, after years of growth below 1 percent. That's according to the new annual report from the University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research.

2016 was the first full year of Medicaid expansion in Montana under the Affordable Care Act, which helped the state's uninsured rate drop by nearly two-thirds.

Montana's economy slowed significantly in 2016, and continued slow growth is projected for this year. That's according to new numbers released today by economists at the University of Montana.

A new survey shows that more Montanans are turning to the internet for news than any other source. And it says most Montana online news consumers are getting it via their smartphones.

A new report by University of Montana economists examines the impact of Grizzly athletics on Missoula’s economy. The study by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research says that between 2013 and 2015, UM athletics brought nearly $23 million a year into the university.

A University of Montana Business Survey says that manufacturers in Montana are optimistic about the year ahead.

Governor Steve Bullock gave an upbeat assessment of Montana’s economy today as he unveiled his office’s 2015 Economic Development Report.

Growing demand for healthcare means that Montana is going to need 40 percent more healthcare workers in a decade than it has now. That’s according to University of Montana Economist Bryce Ward. He says that just to meet the projected growth in demand, the state will need 7,000 more healthcare workers by 2025.

Montana has seen almost seven straight years of economic growth now, and more is forecasted for the future.

The latest unemployment numbers say the state jobless rate fell by a tenth of a percentage point in December to an even four percent. The national unemployment rate is five percent.

The Department of Labor and Industry says Montana added 10,200 jobs in 2015.