Early Intervention systems help give families and children the support they need to grow, develop and hit important milestones. Unfortunately, Montana’s early intervention system is underfunded, limiting reach for infants and toddlers. Learn more: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/earlyintmt-2026
3 of the 12 Indigenous languages historically spoken in Montana are considered critically endangered, meaning the youngest speakers are elders who speak infrequently, according to a 2020 MBPC report.https://montanafreepress.org/2026/03/02/northern-cheyenne-tribe-reclaims-cultural-belongings-from-um/
"...shifting to a general sales tax model would result in a heavier tax bill for lower- and moderate-income families." Read more: https://montanafreepress.org/2026/03/02/most-montana-voters-dont-want-a-statewide-sales-tax/
This year, states will implement new red tape reporting requirements for some Medicaid enrollees. Unfortunately, Montana is fast-tracking these changes, which could have a negative impact on access to Medicaid. Read how the state can reduce harm: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/six_medicaid_hr1
This year, states will usher in new reporting requirements for some Medicaid enrollees. Montana is fast-tracking these changes, which could have a negative impact on access to Medicaid. Read more: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/six_medicaid_hr1
“If you cut taxes on high value non-owner-occupied properties, someone else has to pay more,” said Rose Bender, with the Montana Budget and Policy Center. Read more: https://dailymontanan.com/2026/02/26/deadline-for-tax-rate-reductions-extended/
March 1 is the deadline for landlords to apply for lower property tax rates for long-term rentals, but applications are behind. Reach out to your landlord to make sure you don’t see a tax hike. https://montanafreepress.org/2026/02/23/many-montana-landlords-havent-filed-to-avoid-second-home-tax/
NEW BLOG: This year, states will be making changes to reporting requirements for Medicaid enrollees, and Montana's DPHHS is putting the state on the fast track. Here are six ways the state can lessen harm to enrollees and applicants: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/six_medicaid_hr1
Early Intervention gives Montana's infants and toddlers crucial support in hitting key milestones. Learn how increased state investments and a commitment to collaboration across agencies can make this program better, and give families a helping hand https://www.montanabudget.org/post/earlyintmt-2026
NUMBER OF THE WEEK: $31,065
Arresting or fining houseless individuals makes the crisis worse, not better.
Fortunately, there are proven state-level policies that can help improve housing stability, and make our communities stronger. Learn more: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/access-to-housing
There's a whole host of informative blogs and reports on our brand-new revamped website! Check them out now: https://www.montanabudget.org/
Montana needs to continue investing in solutions to the housing crisis by funding to programs that promote the development of low- and middle-income housing. Learn more: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/access-to-housing
Montana's leaders need to improve outcomes for women and their families dealing with the criminal legal system. https://www.belgrade-news.com/opinion/effective-policies-to-support-women-involved-in-the-criminal-legal-system/article_e7157b8d-70e4-4644-b586-2b35290b0f4b.amp.html
Supportive housing policies to increase community shelter capacity for the houseless population are needed to make sure everyone in our community can have a roof over their heads. Learn more in our new report: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/access-to-housing
Wonky Word: MICWA
The protections guaranteed by MICWA are crucial, especially as the state works to reduce inequality in the foster care system. Learn more about how MICWA works and what we can do to help it: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/policy-basics-montana-indian-child-welfare-act-micwa
Equipped with an understanding of sovereignty and taxation authority, states and Tribes can build economic partnerships that benefit everyone while still honoring treaty rights.Learn more: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/policy-basics-revenue
"The Montana Budget and Policy Center released a report last week, arguing that Montana currently has one of the least regressive state tax systems, but a general sales tax would change that." More: https://missoulacurrent.com/sales-tax-impacts/
February is #BlackHistoryMonth. Today, let's acknowledge the impact Black Americans have had on Montana's history. Black communities have shaped our past, as well as our future.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK: A statewide sales tax places a greater burden on Montana residents, with 88% of the tax being paid by residents. It also disproportionately impacts low and moderate-income households. Learn more: https://www.montanabudget.org
NEW REPORT: The Indian Child Welfare Act is an essential support for American Indian children and families. Learn how it works federally and in Montana, as well as how we can improve it for generations to come: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/policy-basics-montana-indian-child-welfare-act-micwa
Things like sales taxes and expanded excise taxes place a greater burden on low-income families, and those burdens get bigger as inflation increases. Learn more: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/a-statewide-sales-tax-would-hurt-montana-families
The federal budget is going to have a sizeable impact on Montanans who rely on Medicaid expansion for access to care. Learn more here: https://www.belgrade-news.com/opinion/h-r-1-impacts-to-montana-medicaid-expansion/article_c5a9b8d9-4d49-43dc-a87c-47bd20c3ee6b.html
A statewide sales tax would mean more of the burden placed on the shoulder's of Montana's everyday working people, shifting the responsibility away from the wealthiest. Learn more: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/a-statewide-sales-tax-would-hurt-montana-families
For 50 years, Montanans have voted against sales taxes. They know a sales tax would hurt working families the most, because people with less money end up paying more of what they earn on everyday purchases. More: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/a-statewide-sales-tax-would-hurt-montana-families
Work requirements don't just ask more of people who need health care. Research shows they lead to fewer people covered overall, as the extra paperwork and reporting causes eligible people to fall through the cracks. More here: https://montanabudget.org/post/hr1_impacts_medicaid
WONKY WORD: Medicaid Redeterminations
New federal rules mean Medicaid check-ins are happening twice as often—making it easier for people to lose coverage over missed paperwork. Learn more here: https://montanabudget.org/post/hr1_impacts_medicaid
NEW BLOG: As the state works to implement new federal requirements, it needs to be careful, intentional, and prepared to ensure that it doesn’t needlessly remove eligible Montanans from Medicaid Expansion. Read more here: https://montanabudget.org/post/hr1_impacts_medicaid
MBPC celebrates the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
May his legacy live on in the hope of a equal and equitable future for all Americans, free from discrimination and racial prejudice.
SNAP is essential for Montana's families and local economies. That's why we need to ask representatives in Congress: include a provision in the January funding bill that extends the current two-year cost shift to all states, and keeps states from having to cover the gap.
#ICYMI: We've got a whole lot of excellent blogs and reports from our dedicated policy analysts. Come learn about all the data that can help shape Montana's future for the better: https://montanabudget.org/blog
