HELENA (AP) — A leading Republican says Gov. Brian Schweitzer needs to work with the GOP if he expects to advance his flagship tax breaks for “clean and green” energy.

The fate of the bill was still unclear Tuesday, a day after the Senate rejected an effort to revive it. Options dwindled as the Legislature passed deadlines for general tax bills.

Senate Minority Leader Corey Stapleton, R-Billings, said the governor should curry Republican support by adopting some of the party’s ideas — instead of using “threats and intimidation.” With enough votes, the Senate could suspend its rules and consider the measure, he said.

“I think we need to come to a consensus,” Stapleton said.

The governor’s office said it has met with Republicans, and will continue to do so.

“Down here in our office, our door is open to everybody and it has been open to everybody,” said Evan Barrett, the governor’s chief economic development officer. “I expect we will have real meetings every day until we deal with the content of this, and make sure the contents of the bill are above reproach.”

Stapleton said the governor is calling Republicans out by name, threatening to campaign against them in their district if they continue to oppose the proposed tax breaks for “clean” energy projects.

“He is choosing to attack us,” he said. “Tell me how the threats and intimidation is going to help anything?”

The Democrat who carried the legislation, Sen. Jesse Laslovich of Anaconda, said he thinks it’s likely that the tax cuts will become law in some form since some Republicans have told him they like parts of the bill. He said options include putting its components into another tax bill.

“Egos and partisanship should not get in the way,” he said.

Stapleton agreed that Republicans largely agree with many components of the governor’s proposal. But he also suggested GOP lawmakers would want to see incentives for traditional coal development included.

“You can’t work with someone when he yells at you,” said Sen. John Esp, R-Big Timber.

Barrett said he would not discuss the administration’s strategy for advancing the tax breaks.

Republicans say they are also disappointed it took the governor months to bring his proposal forward, then expected lawmakers to rush it through with dozens of amendments.

The governor’s proposal includes both tax breaks for energy producers and incentives for consumers, such as a proposed waiver of vehicle registration fees for new cars that get at least 35 miles per gallon. Projects that support energy production such as biodiesel, clean coal technology and others would receive property tax reductions.

But not just Republicans opposed it. The opposition from a key Democrat caused it to stall on a 25-25 vote in a chamber Democrats control by a 26-24 margin.

Sen. Jim Elliott, D-Trout Creek, said he generally opposes using tax breaks as business incentives.

Elliott said it’s possible he could change his mind if conditions were put on the measure, such as a sunset clause that would end the tax breaks after a period of time. But he said it’s unlikely even then that he would change his mind.

“I support the governor, and I supported him in everything. But this is just one place I can’t,” Elliott said.

The bill is Senate Bill 562.