Money in the bank gives Governor Brian Schweitzer a position of financial strength as he met with bond money folks in New York on Wednesday.

Schweitzer and Budget Director David Ewer met with Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investor Service on Wednesday. Several firms upgraded the state's rating the last couple of years and the state has $300 million in the bank, the largest surplus in state history.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says Montana is one of only two states in the nation not facing budget shortfalls next year. Schweitzer says that while he's proud of that, now more than ever the state needs to live within its means.

The Governor asked for money back from agencies if they did not need to spend it, and that reverted $100 million to the General Fund.

"Money in the bank and unemployment remaining relatively low are indicators that we will weather this recession well in Montana" the Democrat said.

I H S Global Insight predicts the state will have the fifth lowest job loss by the end of the downturn, and will return to pre-recession job levels by 2011.