Perhaps some of us weren’t paying enough attention over the past six years. Recent edicts issuing from the East Wing of the Montana capitol could certainly lead one to believe that at some point the elected office of governor evolved into a self-annointed monarchy.

As the tanking revenues coming into the state coffers made budget cuts an unavoidable reality, His Highness has steadfastly refused to include the Legislature in the process. Now with the potential of additional coins filling the royal treasury, the king is considering how he will disperse his munificence across Big Sky Country:

Schweitzer said he may personally inspect the projects to make sure they are worthy. And, in an apparent jab to Republicans, he said he may not send money to districts of legislators who originally opposed allocating the stimulus money last year in House Bill 645.

Sen. Dave Lewis, a Helena Republican, was among the first to raise the issue of the frozen funding. A new firehouse in Ryegate, currently on hold after the administration’s decision, is in Lewis’ district. “Remind the governor that I voted for House Bill 645 — and if I have to come up there and kiss his ring to get the firehouse in Ryegate, I will do that,” Lewis said.

So much for the rights of the minority.