HELENA -- Gov. Brian Schweitzer is following through on his threats to cut state spending by vetoing several bills that spend more money or provide additional tax breaks.

In recent days, Schweitzer vetoed two money-related measures, House Bill 727, by House Majority Leader Michael Lange, R-Billings, and Senate Bill 152, by Sen. Dan Harrington, D-Butte.

They won't be the last, Schweitzer said in a telephone interview on Tuesday, since both the House and Senate adjourned Friday without passing a state budget for the next two years. That is forcing Schweitzer to call a special session, although he has not yet decided on a date, for lawmakers to approve a budget, tax plan and school funding bill.

"Anything that spends money, I'm vetoing,'' Schweitzer said. "I can't cash checks without a checking account. I'm having a real tough time with all of these bills. I don't have the money, and I don't know how much I have.''

Republican Lange's HB727 would have allowed the Department of Public Health and Human Services, when it determines eligibility for mental health services, to disregard the first $1,000 in monthly income for an individual who has returned to work. It was estimated to cost $600,000 the next two years and $900,000 for the succeeding two years.

Schweitzer said this was his first veto since the Legislature adjourned Friday without passing a budget for the next two years.

"As chief executive for the state of Montana, I am ultimately responsible to the people of Montana for administering the executive branch of government and fiscally carrying out the law,'' he wrote. "Top among my duties is the sound management of the state's fiscal resources --resources derived from the taxpayer's pockets.

As required by law, Schweitzer said he submitted a balanced budget for the Legislature's consideration, but lawmakers didn't deliver.

"In my faithful execution of the laws, I cannot in good conscience sign HB727,'' Schweitzer said.

He said HGB727 is commonly referred to as a "cat and dog'' bill, a measure that spends money over the ordinary expenses of government. His executive budget did not provide for expenses under this bill, which would also oblige the state for its future costs. Without a budget and tax plan, Schweitzer said he can't consider the bill and see how it fits within the context of the entire state budget.

"It would be irresponsible for me to sign HB727 in the absence of receiving from the Legislature a comprehensive state budget,'' he said.

Lange could not be reached for comment.

Harrington's SB552 would have granted a $100 tax credit to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

"Like the legislators who voted for this bill, words do not express the heartfelt appreciation for the men and women who perform these volunteer emergency services for their friends, neighbors and communities,'' Schweitzer wrote in his veto message. "However, the fiscal impact been estimated at close to $1 million per biennium.''

He reiterated some of the same concerns as in the veto of Lange's bill about the lack of a budget and tax plan.

In both cases, these bills passed by two-thirds margins in both houses, which would be sufficient to override his vetoes if everyone votes the same. With those majorities and the Legislature adjourned, Secretary of State Brad Johnson must conduct a poll by mail to see if lawmakers want to override the veto.

"I urge you to do as I have done here -- exercise fiscal responsibility and consider your own constitutional mandates -- and sustain my veto,'' he said.

In response to the veto, Harrington said, "I feel bad that they did it. That was a million dollars. It was expensive, but I felt that if we had a budget, we could have done it.''

Harrington said he would vote to override the veto, but he wouldn't launch a campaign to get others to join him.