[NFBMT] Alert: About Budget Cuts

[Bruce&Joy Breslauer]

Here is some information from KRTV about upcoming budget cuts.  Joy 

 

(SEPTEMBER 9, 2017) 

 

>From tax collectors to correctional reforms to medical services for the poor,
the $200-plus million in proposed budget cuts submitted late Friday would
slash state programs and lay off state workers across Montana.

 

"Some very tough decisions are going to be made over the coming weeks and
months as I work to responsibly balance our budget," Gov. Steve Bullock said
in a statement as his office released the proposals Friday evening.

 

State agencies submitted the proposals on Bullock's order, to cut up to 10
percent of their spending. Some level of cuts will be needed to balance a
state budget facing red ink because of escalating firefighting costs and tax
revenue falling well short of projections.

 

State Budget Director Dan Villa said late last month that the administration
needs to cut state spending by as much as $230 million to keep the current
two-year budget in balance.

 

Under state law, the governor can order cuts of up to 10 percent for most
state agencies, to balance the budget. Any cuts beyond that level would
require a special session of the Legislature.

 

State agencies had until Friday to submit their proposals, which now will be
reviewed by legislative staff and committees. Bullock, a Democrat, then will
decide where to make the cuts, probably in October.

 

Some of the proposed cuts include:

 

Public Health and Human Services 

*         More than $100 million in services and payments by Medicaid, the
state-federal program that pays medical bills for the poor.

These cuts would eliminate case management for children's mental health
services, eliminate a prescription drug program for the elderly, eliminate a
program for developmentally disabled infants and toddlers, and eliminate
high-cost dental procedures.

Payments would be reduced for some hospitals, clinics, durable medical
equipment and orthodontia.

*         Require many employees to take unpaid furloughs or work reduced
hours.

*         Leave open 9 percent to 11 percent of vacant positions in several
divisions within the Department of Public Health and Human Services.

 

Corrections

*         Cut or eliminate several programs and budgets to implement sweeping
criminal-justice reforms passed by the 2017 Legislature - programs meant to
reduce the prison population by helping offenders stay out of prison.

*         Expand the reach of a new law that would reduce the number of
low-risk offenders on probation supervision, to save $6.5 million.

*         Cut payments to many private correctional contractors - although
the reduction could violate contracts or eliminate various programs needed
for inmates at these facilities.

 

Revenue Department

*         Lay off as many as 116 positions, most of which would be in the
property-tax and business-tax collection and assessment divisions, for a
savings of more than $6.5 million. However, officials said the cuts could
negatively affect tax-revenue collection.

*         Leave vacant 13.5 positions that help citizens with tax questions.

 

University system

*         Cut funding for college campuses by $34 million, which would likely
lead to layoffs and program cuts at the various campuses.

*         Cut financial aid for students by $1.9 million.

 

Public schools

*         Reduce block grants to public schools by $6 million.

 

Opponents rally against proposed Montana budget cuts

Posted: Sep 11, 2017

By Jonathon Ambarian - MTN News

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGURG1Sb9ZI

 

(HELENA) On Monday, about 100 people rallied in Helena to register their
opposition to proposed cuts in the Department of Public Health & Human
Services.

 

Organizations led by a group of independent living centers held a "People
Matter" rally. Travis Hoffman, the advocacy coordinator for Summit
Independent Living in Missoula, said the event was intended to "put a face
on" the proposed cuts.

 

Those in attendance chanted slogans like "Don't roll back our rights!" Many
were either employees or clients of private care providers that are
reimbursed by the state for services covered by Medicaid. The Montana
Department of Public Health and Human Services has proposed cutting state
payments to those providers by 3.47 percent. The plan is a response to a law
passed during the 2017 legislative session, which requires state spending
cuts to address lower-than-expected tax revenues.

In addition to those cuts, Gov. Steve Bullock's office has asked state
agencies, including DPHHS, to outline 10 percent cuts in their overall
budget, after the budget picture became even worse.

 

Hoffman said those reductions would force providers to reduce their services
and possibly cut back on staffing.

 

"There's a severe caregiver shortage, and people are going without services
already," he said. "It's just going to make that whole situation ten times
worse."

Providers say they understand the severe budget pressures that the state is
facing, but that leaders need to find another way to save money.

 

Hoffman argued these cuts will actually cost the state more over the long
run, by forcing people to get more expensive care at places like nursing
homes or the state hospital.

 

"If the Governor or the Legislature think that community-based services are
expensive, wait until they get the bill from a mass exodus of people going to
institutionalized services," he said.

 

Those who attended the rally also said they believe the people most affected
by the cuts didn't have enough input before the decisions were made.

"We're here to show that we do have a voice - that we do matter - and they
need to start realizing that," Hoffman said.