HELENA -- Montana's government is being mismanaged, and voters should be demanding changes in leadership, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Schweitzer said Wednesday.

Schweitzer, a Whitefish farmer, cited a recent USA Today analysis that ranked Montana as tied for 48th with Mississippi in taxing and spending wisely. California ranked last. The USA Today analysis concludes the financial problems besetting the states are more the result of poor money management by states than impacts from the national economy.

''Government needs to be run like a good business," Schweitzer said. ''Montana has been run as poorly as Touch America. If Montanans are the shareholders, we should be asking for the resignations of the entire board of directors."

Mismanagement, he said, has put Montana near the bottom in wages, led to budget shortfalls, produced cuts in human services and education and human services, poor investments in education and energy deregulation.

''Montana needs new management that will work together with all Montanans to implement common sense solutions," he said.

"We need to draw upon Montanans' best and brightest to help us lead Montana forward and out of the bottom of the economic barrel."

Schweitzer said he advocates these steps to grow Montana's economy:

n Direct investments from the coal tax trust fund and outside investments into Main Street businesses to start, grow or expand while maintaining the fund's principal.

n Lower prescription drug prices by working with other states to purchase in bulk and passing the savings on to consumers through Main Steet pharmacies.

n Help small businesses and employees to pool together to buy lower cost health insurance.

n Invest in education.

''We can do better as a state," Schweitzer said. ''It will take new mangement with a plan to move Montana forward. If we work together and use some Montana common sense, we'll do better."