"Poverty hinders Montanans' access to health care," Billings Gazette, October 2, 2014.
The increased number of people living in poverty highlights the point that many people have not yet recovered from the recession, said Heather O’Loughlin, research director for the Montana Budget and Policy Center, a nonprofit research organization that focuses on tax and budget policy that affects low- and moderate-income families in Montana.
“It underscores the need for Montana to do more to help struggling families afford basics like decent housing, nutritious food, and reliable child care and transportation,” O’Loughlin said.
To make it easier for people to move from poverty to economic security, Montana should consider creating a state Earned Income Tax Credit to help working families make ends meet and invest in quality pre-K programs to support Montana’s families.
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.