[NFBMT] A Reflection on the Special Session

Sat Nov 18 17:34:49 UTC 2017

The special session dropped two-thirds of the cuts, and that's a good thing.  However, one-third remains in place, and this means we face extremely reduced services.  There is still a chance for more cuts yet because Governor Bullock may not support some of the actions the Legislature took.  For example, he does not like the deal with the company that operates the private prison in Shelby or the furlough of state employees.  For each of the parts of the plan that Bullock vetoes, he must extend the cuts by an equal amount.

Some states are in the same boat, but most are not.  The Montana economy is doing well, so we can't credibly blame our fiscal problems on a bad economy.  What's really going on is that the majority of our state legislators are sticking with their ideologies over people.  They believe the bureaucracy is too big, and that these cuts will affect the bureaucracy, not people.  Any large organization needs corrections from time-to-time, so I'm sure these cuts will impact government functions that are past their usefulness.  However, the cuts, even those that survived the special session, are so large that people who depend on  the government services will get hurt.  Montana government is more lean than most because we've never seen much bureaucracy in the first place.  That means the people who count on government services will get considerably less than they have in the past.  We definitely face a difficult future.

It's important for the NFB-MT to stay out of the partisan politics.  We need both parties to be responsive to  our advocacy.  And truth is, there is plenty of blame to go around.  The Republicans set up this budget crisis by over-estimating state revenues in order to cause state cuts.  The Democrats are proposing cuts that hurt community-based services.  And there is good for both parties as well.  The Republicans include many champions who believe in the same values as the NFB-MT does.  The Democrats consistently advocate for quality services for the people.  The NFB-MT needs both.  Governor Bullock is a pragmatic progressive.  He definitely does not like what's going on, but he has no choice but to make the best out of a bad situation.

Jim Marks
Blind.grizzly at gmail.com
(406) 438-1421

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBMT [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of d m gina via NFBMT
Sent: Saturday, November 18, 2017 9:24 AM
To: nfbmt at nfbnet.org
Cc: d m gina <dmgina at mysero.net>
Subject: Re: [NFBMT] A Reflection on the Special Session

Is this happening just in Montana or across the country?
The way I read things yesterday folks seemed to be happy how all was turnin out.
Even though Steve said he didn't like all of the changes he felt all was going well.
Maybe I have two things mixed up.

Original message:
> It was a disappointing special session if one hoped for sustaining 
> Montana's human services.  If you believe in smaller government and no 
> new taxes, then the session was successful.  However, there is no 
> doubt that the shrinking of state government will hurt many Montanans.  
> Our future looks to be one of diminishing services.  There will be 
> cuts, and Blind and Low Vision Services will carry a substantial part 
> of the burden.  For sure, the NFB-MT must be relentless in our advocacy.
> Please roll up your sleeves and let's sustain our clear message and 
> quest for the services on which we all depend.

> Oh, one more thing.  The cuts proposed by the Governor favor 
> institutional-based rather than community-based services.  Tough 
> financial times seem to fund nursing homes and other large 
> institutions at the expense of services in our communities and homes.  
> This is a bit baffling from a fiscal point of view in that 
> institutional services are far more expensive than community services.  
> However, there is a strong lobby out there to fund those institutions 
> at the expense of the people who are forced to use them.  Advocates 
> for institutions are well-funded and eager to make their living on the 
> backs of the blind and other people with disabilities.  We must 
> resist.  We really need to hit the theme of informed choice and 
> careers in our communities with comparable wages and advancement 
> opportunities.  We've come too far to roll back the advances we've 
> won.  Again, we have to stick with it, tell our stories, and show up 
> time and time again.  We can do this, but we sure do have a fight on our hands, folks.

> Jim Marks
> Blind.grizzly at gmail.com
> (406) 438-1421

> -----Original Message-----
> From: NFBMT [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bruce&Joy 
> Breslauer via NFBMT
> Sent: Friday, November 17, 2017 3:53 AM
> To: nfbmt <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Bruce&Joy Breslauer <breslauerj at gmail.com>; marjorie 
> <dmgregg at 3rivers.net>
> Subject: [NFBMT] A Reflection on the Special Session

> Thought this might interest some of you.  Joy

> From: Governor Bullock [mailto:governor at mt.gov]
> Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2017 2:19 PM
> To: Joy Breslauer <breslauerj at gmail.com>
> Subject: A Reflection on the Special Session

> Dear Joy:

> Yesterday, legislators and I reached a reasonable and responsible 
> compromise to balance our budget and pay for Montana's record fire 
> season. While I'm disappointed we were not able to reach a full 
> agreement, I would be remiss not to acknowledge all the progress we 
> made to minimize the impacts of severe budget cuts on the most 
> vulnerable among us.

> Two months ago, Montana was facing $227 million in cuts to these 
> essential state services. It is because of your hard work contacting 
> legislators, sharing with them your story and ideas, and getting them 
> to understand the impact these cuts would have on our state, that this 
> compromise was successful and further cuts on our fellow Montanans 
> were prevented. I thank you for all your efforts and engagement on this issue.

> We’ve ensured most seniors will still be able to access the 
> prescription drugs they need. We’ve assured most young kids with 
> autism will continue to receive services helping them make 
> developmental gains. We’ve prevented steep tuition increases. We’ve 
> prevented many job losses. We’ve protected public safety and prevented 
> strains on local sheriffs’ offices. We’ve prevented financial duress 
> on our rural hospitals.

> These aren't just numbers on a balance sheet, these are real people. 
> These are our friends, our families and our neighbors - our children, 
> our grandchildren, our parents and grandparents. While we still have 
> work to do, Montanans can be pleased.

> I will continue to govern responsibly on behalf of all Montanans as we 
> work together to keep this state moving forward.

> Sincerely,

> STEVE BULLOCK

> Governor

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--
--Dar
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every saint has a past
every sinner has a future
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