[NFBMT] Montana NFB Newsline In Trouble

[president at nfbofmt.org]

The Governor's Committee on Telecommunications Access by People with
Disabilities decided not to continue funding for NFB Newsline today.  Jim
Aldrich, Scott White, and I presented to the Committee about the benefits of
NFB Newsline.  Despite our best efforts, most Committee members felt their
program should no longer support NFB Newsline.  Some Committee members are
upset that the 2019 Legislature transferred $3.5 million from funds
earmarked for telephone access by Montanans with disabilities to other
purposes.  Other Committee members feel that NFB Newsline is not directly
related to the mission of their program.

It's unclear what will happen next.  We may be able to get the Committee to
take another vote, and we may be able to get Vocational Rehabilitation and
Blind Services to fund NFB Newsline.  The Committee can afford to pay for
NFB Newsline with its appropriations, and NFB Newsline fits the Committee's
mission.  Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services remains in desperate
fiscal problems.  Please stay tuned for more information on what the
National Federation of the Blind of Montana will do next to save NFB
Newsline in Montana.

Questions and ideas are most welcome!

Jim Marks
President, National Federation of the Blind of Montana
president at nfbofmt.org
(406) 438-1421