Montana’s Independent Living Centers, along with AARP Montana, Disability Rights Montana, Montana Association of Community Disability Services, Mental Health America of Montana, the Area Agencies on Aging, the Community Mental Health Centers, and consumers from all across Montana rallied in the Capitol Rotunda in Helena on Thursday, March 10th to send a message to legislators and the public about the real cost of balancing the budget on the backs of Montanans who can least afford it.
Speakers at the rally included Senator Dave Wanzenried, Claudia Clifford from AARP, Anita Roessman from Disability Rights Montana, Erin McGowan Fincham from the AAA’s, Jan Cahill from Montana CDS, Kathy McGowan from the Community Mental Health Centers, Travis Hoffman for the Centers for Independent Living, and June Hermanson from Montana Youth Transitions. Approximately 60 ralliers in addition to a few legislators attended the rally.
The rally was in protest of draconian budget cuts the Montana Legislature has made to human service programs. Those cuts include a reduction in personal assistance meal preparation services, a reduction in HCBS waiver slot funding, and many other cuts to vital services that Montana’s seniors and people with disabilities depend on every day.
To read more about the rally or view pictures from the event, please visit www.summitilc.org and visit our Facebook page.
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