Speakers: Heather O'Loughlin Co-Director, Montana Budget and Policy Center; Sarah Howell, Executive Director, Montana Women Vote
In 2017, the state legislature cut over $350 million from the state budget. By the end of 2017, cuts to health and human services totaled $95 million in state funds, resulting in the loss of over $100 million in federal funds. These cuts have decimated many programs for Montana’s most vulnerable families, and nonprofits service providers across the state are facing greater pressure with fewer dollars. How did we get here? What might we expect in the 2019 session? How can nonprofits and the nonprofit sector play a greater role in advancing solid public policy that helps, not hurts, our families and our neighbors? This presentation will walk through actions taken during the session and how nonprofits can share their experiences to help fight for greater investments in our communities. Presenters will provide specific tools to engage its board, members, and others, and strategies to reach policymakers.
MBPC is a nonprofit organization focused on providing credible and timely research and analysis on budget, tax, and economic issues that impact low- and moderate-income Montana families.