3 Finalists Named for Chief Legislative Fiscal Analyst

A subcommittee of the Legislative Finance Committee has selected three finalists for the position of chief legislative fiscal analyst. The LFA serves as a nonpartisan adviser to the Montana Legislature on budget and fiscal matters.

Clayton Schenck, who has held the position for the past 16 years, has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31.

The three finalists are:

• George Harris, administrator of the Centralized Services Division of the Montana Department of Livestock;
• Barbara Smith, fiscal analyst with the Legislative Fiscal Division (LFD); and
• Lois Steinbeck, senior fiscal analyst with the LFD.

A recruitment subcommittee of the Finance Committee selected the three from among seven applicants. The subcommittee will interview the three candidates Aug. 28 and make a hiring recommendation to the full Finance Committee at its next scheduled meeting, Sept. 24-25 in Helena.

In addition to advising the Legislature, the chief legislative fiscal analyst manages the Legislative Fiscal Division, one of three divisions of the legislative branch of state government.

Members of the recruitment subcommittee are Sen. Rick Ripley (R-Wolf Creek), Sen. Dave Wanzenried (D-Missoula), Rep. Bill Glaser (R-Huntley), and Rep. Galen Hollenbaugh (D-Helena).