The live TVMT video feed of lawmakers working in the Montana Capitol went off the air today. Although an audio stream is still available online, a contract disagreement between the state and the provider of TVMT has shut down the TV broadcast and online video footage.
TVMT was created in 2001 and allows anyone to watch legislative meetings and other bodies of government online and on public and cable TV.
The contract between Helena Civic Television and the state’s Legislative Services Division comes down to money.
"Its cost us over 550 hours of uncompensated time."
That’s Stephen Maly with Helena Civic Television speaking in a legislative council meeting Thursday. Maly says Helena Civic Television deserves payment for the extra work they put in covering task force meetings, Supreme Court arguments, committees, and trials over the legislative interim.
Helena Civic Television’s last contract with the state ended August 15. The non-profit corporation has refused to sign another contract until additional funds are provided for their past work.
Here’s Maly again.
"What we are requesting is half of what we believe...it's all documented. It's undisputable that we have done the work at the request of the liaison staff. We have never said ‘no’. We are forgoing half of a claim in good faith."
State officials say the contract does not require additional payment beyond the mutually agreed upon $275,000 for the biennium.
Helena Civic Television Executive Director Kristen Faubion says she understands that they do not have a legal claim to additional funds.
"We just think it is a moral claim that we did what we were asked with the liaison staff."
State officials say they will pay $11,000 of $21,000 requested by Helena Civic Television for past work.
Helena Civic Television turned down that offer.
The disagreement in the contract hinges on what TVMT runs as programming, and how much programming the contract funds.
Susan Fox with legislative services says the contract did not require Helena Civic Television to do all the work they want payment for.
"So it is not mandatory that they cover all executive or non-legislative activity or event."
Montana law requires TVMT programming to include each branch of government to the extent possible.
State legislative officials says they hope to have this contract resolved next week. And they expect full TVMT services for the start of the 2017 session.
On Friday Helena Civic Television moved out off its office in the Capitol.
