STIMULUS? Leadership is Needed to Address Montana Poverty

Our Governor is proud of the state budget surplus; out state is not in the red as of this fiscal year. Some services provided to the low income, however, are facing reductions. I can understand Gov. Schweitzer's reluctance to part with the surplus; he has worked diligently to create fiscal discipline in Montana. In spite of the budget surplus, Montana accepted federal stimulus funds of several hundred million dollars. The use of these funds has enabled our state to maintain its coveted surplus.

The ARRA (American Reinvestment and Recovery Act) set up an emergency fund for very low-income families. The funds are detailed here: http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/tanf/index.html. ProPublica and USA Today did a joint report on many state's reluctance to tap the 5 billion dollar fund; http://www.propublica.org/ion/stimulus/item/states-ignoring-stimulus-welfare-fund-907

I asked Rep. Margarett Campbell who works on the state budget matters on the issue of whether Montana consulted with urban Indians in particular, in seeking these funds. I am in the process of gaining clarification as to whether Montana has sought use of the funds, whether it intends to use the funds, and whether it has consulted with urban Indians and low-income groups to obtain these funds for the maximum benefit of Montana's urban and rural areas.

In a recent Missoulian column, Terry Kendrick, the Director of Organizational Development for Montana Women's Vote, urged the extension of unemployment benefits, Medicaid and efforts to remember that in 2009; 1 in 4 Montana children will live in poverty. http://www.missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/article_23da8668-c301-11de-8295-001cc4c002e0.html.

I feel Montana must make a greater effort to address poverty within the state's borders. The Legislative Fiscal Division is expecting shortfalls over the next three years. However, there must be a greater effort made to reduce and eliminate poverty, and create jobs. This is the purpose of the funds. According to the ProPublica article, states are required to pitch in a 20% match. This match has been met creatively by some states in obtaining the funds; some have gone directly to investor George Soros. Federal stimulus funds have been used in Montana for such projects as studying volcanoes in the Andes, and Shakespeare in the Park. These were part of 14 million allocated to MSU-Bozeman. http://biggovernment.com/2009/10/08/montana-stimulus-funds-go-to-study-volcanoes-in-the-andes-periodontal-disease-shakespeare/

The low-income people of Montana may not have the lobbying clout of their more educated counterparts in the state university system. I realize Gov. Schweitzer wants to save for a rainy day. Montana has a surplus and there is no reason why these funds should not be made available and used by the people that need them the most. Governor, this IS your rainy day.

Urge Gov. Schweitzer to address poverty in Montana and ensure low-income Montanans have the full benefit of the ARRA funds. http://governor.mt.gov/cabinet/contactus.asp. This is a link to his contact information.