[NFBMT] A Reflection on the Special Session

Sat Nov 18 18:47:12 UTC 2017

The special session refused to allow testimony on the impact of the cuts on
people.  Legislative leaders said the testimony was previously heard in its
interim committees before the special session started, so legislators were
already informed on how devastating the cuts will be, especially cuts to the
Department of Public Health and Human Services.  Blind and Low Vision
Services (BLVS) is a program in that Department.  I believe this reasoning
to deny testimony was disingenuous at best.  I think the real motivation was
to cut off the voices of the Montanans in order to advance the smaller
government ideology and to shorten the duration of the special session.
After all, if one is bent on cutting, the quicker the cut, the better.  It's
pretty clear that the pain many Montanans are experiencing doesn't really
matter.  In plain language, we saw the Legislature's leadership's lips
moving, but it wasn't the truth that came out.  It's really hard not to be
angry and frustrated.  Remember that we may have lost the battle, but we
have not yet lost the war.  Your suggestion, Joy, to elect Legislators who
are responsive to the NFB-MT is a very good one.  And there are other
strategies we can employ as well, for we certainly need to pull as many
tricks out of the bag as we can.  Because our mission and values are so
compelling, I'm confident the NFB-MT will build our great state through our
sustained efforts.

The cuts to Blind and Low Vision Services are going to hurt, so we all need
to know exactly what's going to happen to our agency.  The biggest threat
affects the staffing of the agency.  BLVS is under a hiring freeze, and
staff who leave are not being replaced.  It's my understanding that the
earliest replacements will be hired is in July 2019.  Moreover, since BLVS
is combined with the general vocational rehabilitation program, BLVS staff
will take on clients who are not blind.  This is already happening, and it's
going to get worse very quickly.  None of this is intended to be permanent,
but the temporary situation will last so long, it's going to affect BLVS for
decades.  The outcome is that BLVS is getting watered down to the point
where services will be non-existent.  We cannot and should not let this
happen.  Our voices have to be heard.  There are other factors at play as
well.  Behind the scenes, BLVS staff are being told to be very fiscally
conservative.  They are punished when they provide quality services and
rewarded when they give budgets a higher priority than those served.  Staff
can't buy the supplies they need to do their jobs well, and they work in an
environment in which everything is scrutinized with a cold, heartless fiscal
perspective.  We must advocate for quality services.  Look, we all know BLVS
no longer has all the funding it requires.  The belt is tightening, but we
still need BLVS to stick with the values of informed choice and competitive
integrated employment.  Hope you all agree and that you can commit to the
long-term fight we find ourselves stuck in for the next several years.

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: Saturday, November 18, 2017 9:45 AM
To: 'NFB of Montana Discussion List' <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Bruce&Joy Breslauer <breslauerj at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFBMT] A Reflection on the Special Session

I'm trying really hard to keep my personal opinions out of this, but I
wasn't impressed with the special session at all.  Saying it could have been
worse is not helpful to me.  I think we took a disproportionate hit, and I
for one am not happy about that.  I don't understand why Governor bullock
made his $76 million in cuts official Tuesday, just after the House
convened.  I think this is a shell game and that they are playing games with
our futures for their own political gain.  Want to run for the legislature,
anyone?  The current majority seems to have lost their common sense.  I
think only one side compromised.

I don't know how long the link to the Independent Record will be active, but
there are some great comments afterwards that might interest some of you.

-----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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www.twitter.com/dmgina
every saint has a past
every sinner has a future
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