[NFBMT] Montana Budget Update

[d m gina]

Way to bad, I thought at first this was going to happen here in Billings,
I hope all turns out well.

Original message:
> Please read.  Joy



> From: Governor Bullock <governor at mt.gov>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2018 5:01 PM
> To: Joy Breslauer <breslauerj at gmail.com>
> Subject: Montana Budget Update



> Dear Joy:



> Today, I am pleased to announce that the State of Montana has had an 
> increase in general fund revenue and I will have the opportunity to 
> restore some of the budget reductions made by the Republican-majority 
> in the Legislature.



> In the 2017 Legislative Session, I proposed a balanced budget that 
> would have avoided cuts and maintained our rainy-day fund. But the 
> Republican-majority rejected this budget, depleted our rainy-day fund, 
> and forced the state to budget based on unrealistic revenue 
> projections. Those projections, combined with the most expensive fire 
> season in our state’s history, resulted in a $227 million shortfall 
> that put the ending fund balance well below the legal amount. I was 
> required, by law, to call a special legislative session to fix the 
> state’s budget.



> Because of the actions we took during the special session to find 
> savings, efficiencies, additional revenue, and budget transfers we 
> balanced our budget and paid for Montana's record fire season. Since 
> then, taxpayers have responded to the federal tax bill by paying their 
> future tax years early because they were better off under the old 
> system of deductions. The result is an increase in a one-time-only 
> revenue—revenue that would have been expected to come in calendar years 
> 2019 and 2020—that is now available to restore some cuts.



> I also negotiated a two-year contract extension with CoreCivic, that 
> includes conditions on human rights and job training, that will bring 
> in an additional $34 million of our own taxpayer dollars back to Montana.



> With the additional revenue, I will be restoring the legislature’s cuts 
> to Medicaid provider rates. I am also instructing Department of Public 
> Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to come up with a plan for an 
> efficient and fiscally-sound targeted case management program that will 
> better serve the mental health system across Montana.



> The priorities for restoring some of the additional cuts will be 
> discussed next week at a listening session held by DPHHS Director 
> Sheila Hogan and my Budget Director Dan Villa. This meeting will be 
> held on August 1, 2018 at the Great Northern Hotel in Helena beginning 
> at 10:30am. You are invited to attend this meeting and give your 
> thoughts and suggestions for where the State of Montana should 
> prioritize the additional revenue. If you are unable to attend, please 
> feel free to email your suggestions to me at: governor at mt.gov 
> <mailto:governor at mt.gov> .



> I am pleased that we are able to restore some of the harmful cuts from 
> the 2017 regular and special sessions. 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. I will recommend 
> revenue sources that make millionaires pay their fair share to fund 
> essential services and build upon Montana’s strong economy.



> This last year has proven why I was so insistence on keeping money in 
> the bank and it is time for the legislature to consider reasonable 
> revenue enhancers. I expect the 2019 legislature to work with me this 
> next session to set aside money for a rainy-day, fund essential 
> services, and capitalize on areas to continue growing our economy.



> Thank you again for your work on this issue with me and let me know if 
> you have any further questions or comments.



> Sincerely,



> STEVE BULLOCK
> Governor

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--Dar
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