[NFBMT] Please Testify at Legislative Hearing

[president at nfbofmt.org]

Hi All, 

Programs that support blind Montanans face massive budget cuts, and we, the
members of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana, need to speak up
in favor of funding for services.  Please testify during the public hearing
and presentation that will occur Thursday, January 28 from 8:00 AM-Noon.  To
testify, one must sign up by noon the day before the hearing.  Links and
additional directions are given below.

Blind and Low Vision Services is a Bureau under the Division of Disability
Employment and Transitions under the Montana Department of Public Health and
Human Services.  This Division includes Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind
Services, Disability Determination Services, and the Montana
Telecommunications Access Program.  Montana Business Enterprises and
Independent Living Services for the Older Blind are programs within the
Division.

The 2021 Montana Legislature begins its budget considerations with a
proposed $16 million reduction to the Disability Employment and Transitions
Division.  That's nearly about half of the Division's entire budget.

The presentation and public hearing for the Disability Employment and
Transitions Division will be Thursday, January 28 from 8:00 AM-Noon.  The
presentation and public hearing will be conducted by the Joint
Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.

Please request a Zoom link to testify virtually in person or submit your
testimony via the Montana Legislative "Public Testimony" page on the
legislative website, which can be found at
https://leg.mt.gov/public-testimony/

BE SURE TO SUBMIT YOUR TESTIMONY/REQUEST THE ZOOM LINK NO LATER THAN NOON ON
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27!
Through the "Public Testimony" page, you will be able to select from the
bills that are currently scheduled for hearing for the next 3 days.
By noon the day before the hearing, you will be able to upload and submit
your written testimony, write a brief message, and request a Zoom link to
testify during a bill hearing.
Once you've selected which bill (select  "HB 2: General Appropriations Act"
for budget hearings and select "(H) JAS on Health and Human Services" in the
committee options to request the correct Zoom link/submit your testimony to
the Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services) you want
to testify on, simply fill out the form with the pertinent details,
including a request for the hearing's Zoom link (you must select "yes" next
to the Zoom option in order to receive a Zoom link), and submit. For bills
that you wish to testify on/submit testimony in support of, you should
select "proponent" and for bills that you wish to testify on/submitted
testimony in opposition to, you should select "opponent" from the position
drop down list. You will then receive an email confirmation.
Even if you do not want to testify live via Zoom, you can still submit
written comments on this page. Written comments received by the deadline
will be distributed to all committee members. If you do request a Zoom link,
you will still need to write a brief message containing the contents of your
testimony in the event of technical difficulties so that your name will be
entered into the record. Written testimony that is submitted after the
deadline or submitted at the hearing will only be included in the minutes.
Rules of decorum must be followed, and the Presiding Officer will call on
you when it is your turn to speak.  Follow the Zoom directions and raise
your hand to let the Remote Committee Coordinator know when you want to
speak.

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