HELENA, Mont. (AP) - House Republicans shelved Gov. Brian Schweitzer's proposed budget after a brief hearing Wednesday, a historic move that increased partisan tensions over tax and spending plans.

The decision by GOP leaders to disband the executive budget without full hearings prompted Democrats to cry foul. Observers could never recall such swift disposal of the funding measure known as House Bill 2.

Republican leaders said the move was intended to increase the power held by the GOP-controlled House in budget negotiations.

Schweitzer appeared before the House Appropriations Committee Wednesday morning to defend his budget offering, a rare move by a governor. It was all for naught.

Democrats objected throughout the four-hour hearing, orchestrated by Republican leaders. Budget hearings on the funding bill normally last weeks, or longer, at the Legislature.

Schweitzer later suggested, in a meeting with Democrats, that GOP leaders might not know what they are doing.

"Is there anyone in this room who thinks that Republican leadership has thought this all the way through?" Schweitzer asked.

The move to table the funding bill sets the stage for Republicans to offer a number of separate bills to pay for state government.

House Majority Leader Michael Lange said he envisions the move will better allow the House to negotiate with the Senate over different budget ideas later in the session, which usually lasts through April.

"If people want to make more of it then that, that's OK," Lange told House members during a floor discussion later in the day. "If you want to be critical of it, blame me. But before you blame me, let's try to get a good product out of it."

Democrats control the Senate, and overwhelmingly support Schweitzer's budget ideas.

A tense relationship between Democrats and Republicans grew worse as the governor's budget was tabled.

"This is the greatest evidence of obfuscation I have ever seen," said Rep. John Musgrove, D-Havre, before he voted against the motion to shelve Schweitzer's budget.

"This is a pretty bad way to run a Democracy," said Rep. Eve Franklin, D-Great Falls. "I think the people will want better."

Lange said detailed hearings will take place on the alternative funding bills, which will be sponsored by Republicans.

He said the new bills would reflect cuts to the governor's budget already made by joint subcommittees. Republicans have said more reductions will be needed to make way for a $450 million tax cut package they want.

"By no means are we trying anything other than to make the best possible process for the House," Lange said.

Schweitzer said Montana has been able to make sure it has a balanced budget with the offering of a single spending bill, a method used for at least 30 years. He said the U.S. Congress has a split up budget.

"When is the last time they balanced a budget?" he asked.

The governor said the Republicans plan to spend too much in combination with their planned tax cuts. Schweitzer has been seeking a $150 million tax relief package.

Schweitzer told lawmakers during the morning hearing that his budget spends needed money in such areas as education and corrections, to deal with a ballooning inmate population.

"I suspect the people back home are expecting us to invest in education, and keep the communities safe," he said.