In The News
MBPC Reports Continued Struggles for Montana's Unemployed Workers
"Jobless Rate Drags on Montana Economy," Billings Gazette, 11/21/11.
Two years after the Great Recession, Montana faces a historically difficult labor market, with high long-term-unemployment rates and workers wanting more hours than they can get, a new report shows.
MBPC's Concerns Cited in Summary of Legislative Referendum 123
"2012's Crowded Ballott," Flathead Beacon, 8/14/11
Are our children's classrooms too small? Do our seniors have too much care?
"Tax day today: Tax code compliance key," Sarah Wilhelm, Opinion, Montana Standard, 04/18/11
As we approach the tax-filing deadline this Monday, I challenge you to think about all the ways public services have shaped your life for the better. And when you hear politicians and noisy protesters try to convince you that government is too big and taxes are too high, ask yourself:
Are our children's classrooms too small?
MBPC Asks For Updated and Accurate Revenue Estimates
"Montana House Panel Urged to Increase Revenue Estimate," Missoulian, 3/17/11.
Tara Veazey, executive director of the Montana Budget and Policy Center, testified against the budget estimating resolution and urged the adoption of new, updated estimates based on the latest data available from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Division and the governor's budget office.
MBPC Bemoans Returning of Federal Funds for Food and Energy Assistance
"Montana Health Director Cries Foul Over Budget Process," Flathead Beacon, 3/3/11
"What I find really difficult to understand is the rejection of purely federal funds that don't save the state $1, and yet will result in harmful effects to citizens and communities across this state and harm our economic recovery," Veazey said.
MBPC Supports Ensuring Out-Of-Staters Pay Taxes Owed
"Bill Aims to Raise Revenue by Ensuring Out-of-Staters Pay Tax on Real Estate Sales," Helena IR, 1/28/11
"'This is efficient, effective, makes sense and brings in revenue that is already owed to the state by nonresidents to help mitigate the deep cuts that are moving forward in education, health and human services and other important public services and infrastructure,' said Tara Veazey of the Montana Budget and Policy Center."
MBPC Speaks for Restoration of Education, Public Services, and Infrastructure
"MT Budget Battles: Crisis, or No Crisis?" Public News Service, 2/11/11
"Veazey says the bottom line is that the legislature is cutting hundreds of millions of dollars more than is necessary based on the legislature's own revenue forecasts.
'What we're hoping is that, as we continue to hear good signs about revenue estimates, legislators will add back these really important programs and services, and education and infrastructure.'"
MBPC Weighs in Against Using Public Funds for Private School Tax Credits
"Bill Would Give Tax Breaks for Kids to Attend Private School," Billings Gazette, 2/15/11
"A pair of bills to offer tax breaks to parents of children attending private schools drew praise from some parents who wanted more options for their children and came under attack as unconstitutional from public school advocates.....
Tax compliance bill draws supporters, opponents
"Tax compliance bill draws supporters, opponents" Billings Gazette, January 27, 2011.
"With hundreds of millions of dollars being cut from human services and education budgets, some advocates on Thursday urged passage of a bill to raise more state revenue by requiring income tax withholdings on sales of Montana real estate by out-of-state residents.
"This is efficient, effective, makes sense and brings in revenue that is already owed to the state by nonresidents to help mitigate the deep cuts that are moving forward in education, health and human services and other important public services and infrastructure," said Tara Veazey of the Montana Budget and Policy Center."
Committees get taxpayer's point of view
"Committees get taxpayer's point of view," Beartooth NBC, January 14, 2011.
“Montana comes out pretty good in terms of being a low tax state.” Said Tara Veazey of the Montana Budget and Policy Center. “While we might have low tax rates, we have to make sure we do have the revenue that's available to invest.”
Group presents revenue enhancers, not just cuts, to balance the budget
“Group presents revenue enhancers, not just cuts, to balance the budget” Billings Gazette, December 13, 2010.
"A Helena research group released a report on Monday identifying ways for the Legislature to increase state revenues by millions of dollars instead of relying mostly on spending cuts to balance the state's budget.
The Montana Budget and Policy Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit group, outlined many options that it said lawmakers could consider to help close a projected general fund budget gap of $360 million."
Panel cuts $71 million from education spending
“Panel cuts $71 million from education spending” Billings Gazette, January 11, 2011
"A divided appropriations subcommittee on Tuesday cut proposed education agency budgets by 5 percent or nearly $72 million in general fund money.
...
Tara Veazey, executive director of the Montana Budget and Policy Committee, criticized the committee's action.
Early budget plans portend substantial service cuts for Montana
"Early budget plans portend substantial service cuts for Montana," Billings Gazette, January 8, 2011.
"Montana's newly elected leaders hold a special trust. They are responsible not just for maintaining the schools, roads and health systems that help make Montana a great place to live and work, but also for positioning our state for long-term prosperity.
However, if a little-discussed plan goes forward during the first weeks of the legislative session, Montana may see a significant drop in the quality of education, infrastructure, and other public services. The consequences of this plan would be serious for both the short and long-term prosperity of our state."