[NFBMT] Montana Budget Restoration

[Laurie]

Hi this is Robert’s wife:  yippeee for direct care workers getting an increase!  
Laurie!!!!

> On Aug 30, 2018, at 6:49 PM, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MONTANA via NFBMT <nfbmt at nfbnet.org> wrote:
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> Dear Joy,
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> Today, I announced the restoration of some, but not all, of the harmful cuts mandated by the Republican-majority in the Legislature over the last two years to the services and programs Montanans depend on. 
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> I am restoring the legislature’s cuts to Medicaid provider rates as well as cuts to Medicaid Dental Coverage and Durable Medical Equipment. I am also restoring personal assistance services, so seniors and those with physical disabilities can continue to live independently in their homes. 
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> Vocational Rehab and Extended Employment Contract will have their funding restored. And, I am pleased to announce the State of Montana will be able to give direct care workers for developmental disability and aging services a well-deserved pay raise that was approved through the passage of House Bill 638 <http://laws.leg.mt.gov/legprd/LAW0203W$BSRV.ActionQuery?P_SESS=20171&P_BLTP_BILL_TYP_CD=HB&P_BILL_NO=638&P_BILL_DFT_NO=&P_CHPT_NO=&Z_ACTION=Find&P_ENTY_ID_SEQ2=&P_SBJT_SBJ_CD=&P_ENTY_ID_SEQ=>  during the regular session. 
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> I am also instructing Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to come up with a plan for a more efficient and fiscally-sound targeted case management program for mental health that will be more consistent and equitable across patient populations and provider types. 
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> While this is nowhere near everything I had hoped to restore, it is a good start towards stabilizing our public safety net, improving our healthcare system, and restoring so many other critical services which were reduced. You can review the full details of the budget restoration online HERE <http://budget.mt.gov/Portals/29/docs/SB%209%20Appropriation%20Restoration.pdf> . 
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> I know these budget reductions continue to have real-life consequences. They have been harmful to individual Montanans and communities all across the state. These harmful cuts never should have happened – and they were completely avoidable had the Montana Legislature adopted my proposed balanced budget and its modest revenue enhancements during the regular and special sessions. 
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> A budget is a reflection of our values and priorities. As I have done every session, I will again propose a balanced budget to the 2019 Legislative Session that funds essential services Montanans expect and deserve, and that leaves money for a rainy day. This last year has proven why I have always insisted on keeping money in the bank. It is not only good policy, it is the fiscally responsible thing to do. 
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> It is my hope that the 2019 Montana Legislature will listen to the voices of all Montanans and work to fund essential services and grow our economy for all Montana families. Policymakers must learn from their recent mistakes and remember them well into the 2019 Legislative Session.
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> Sincerely, 
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> STEVE BULLOCK
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> Governor 
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