NUMBER OF THE WEEK: The vast majority of child care providers said that the CCW pilot program improved their program and helped reduce turnover. Learn more: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/states-child-care-workers

In Case You Missed It: Get up to date on our reports and blogs about the state of Montana's Medicaid services and support for child care workers here: https://www.montanabudget.org/

WONKY WORD: Child Care Worker Pilot Program Too often, child care workers don't earn wages that reflect the value of their work. One way to start fixing that? Help child care workers pay for care for their own children! Learn more: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/states-child-care-workers

Medicaid and health care providers rely on reimbursement rates to keep their doors open, which is why implementing provider rate increases passed by the Legislature is so important. DPPHHS needs other options to mitigate shortfalls. https://www.montanabudget.org/post/provider-rates-cornerstone

Child care workers have long shouldered the burden of inadequate funding in the child care system. To truly address the foundational issues within the system, we must invest in the child care workforce. Learn more: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/states-child-care-workers

NEW BLOG: Montana and many other states have found a data-driven solution that can make a real difference in recruiting and retaining child care workers: helping child care workers pay for care for their own children. Learn more: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/states-child-care-workers

"...[T[he state needs to remember all the work it’s done after budget cuts nearly a decade ago. 'It is very hard to rebuild once programs become financially unviable to continue[.]'" https://www.mtpr.org/montana-news/2026-05-01/state-health-officials-consider-medicaid-cuts-to-cover-budget-shortfall

You're invited to launch of the new and updated report: The Status of Montana Women, Advancing Policy for Economic Equality! Come and see how we can craft state policy change to improve the lives of women and girls. More: wfmontana.org/news/youre-invited-2026-status-of-women-in-montana-report

Medicaid works, and the state could improve how it serves working Montanans and to operate as efficiently as possible. Learn more: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/medicaid-and-poor-customer-service

Interested in policymaking and want real leadership experience? MBPC is looking for 2 new board members. We especially encourage applicants ages 18–24 from rural Montana. Apply by May 22!montanabudget.org/board

Happy May Day! Today we honor workers — the people who power Montana's communities, care for our families, and keep things running. Let's work together towards policy that ensures working Montanans can meet their basic needs, access health care, and build a stable life.

Montanans applying for Medicaid face challenges, like slow application processing and long wait times. But there are ways the state can ensure eligible Montanans can access coverage. https://www.montanabudget.org/post/medicaid-and-poor-customer-service

NEW REPORT: Expanded Medicaid has made it so that thousands have more access to care. But slow application processing and long wait times have placed heavy barriers to those who need help the most. Read here: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/medicaid-and-poor-customer-service

WONKY WORD: Provider Rates Medicaid is essential to Montana's health. The DPHHS should seek other options to mitigate budget shortfalls, rather than harming health care providers that provide essential services. MORE: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/provider-rates-cornerstone

NEW BLOG: Health care providers are at risk, right when they need support and funding the most. Learn more in our new blog here: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/provider-rates-cornerstone

"A research study on workforce [said MAC coordinator Grace Decker]... is a disappointing approach to the urgent and immediate problem of workforce shortages which lead to classroom and program closures." Read more at the link in bio.

This #EarthDay, let's honor the Tribal Nations who have stewarded this land for countless generations 🌱 See how they're leading Montana's climate work: 🔗 https://www.montanabudget.org/post/the-inflation-reduction-act-invests-in-clean-energy-and-climate-resilience-for-tribal-nations

Babies and toddlers grow faster than they ever will again. Early intervention helps them make the most of that window — but only if it's funded. More: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/earlyintmt-2026

Health care providers are a critical part of the early intervention system. But current and ongoing pressures, including low wages for providers, make it so that families often have difficulty accessing care. Learn more here: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/earlyintmt-2026

A housing first approach is the most cost-effective approach to dealing with houselessness and the housing crisis. Learn more here: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/access-to-housing

Number of The Week: 93% The overwhelming majority of Montana families agree: early intervention helps them support their children in the long term and short term. Learn more here: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/earlyintmt-2026

From 2021 to 2025, the Legislature cut income taxes four times. These tax cuts have favored the wealthiest over everyday Montanans. These cuts will cost the state over $500 million each year. This tax day, imagine a tax system that reflects our priorities.

Montana's proposed implantation of work requirements has left a lot of questions. When those questions could mean the difference between a working family getting the care they need or going without, that matters.

"[Heather O'Loughlin] says until the guidance is released, the state won’t know how it’s supposed to check whether someone meets an exemption, like medical frailty." https://www.mtpr.org/montana-news/2026-03-13/medicaid-eligibility-rule-changes-will-take-effect-july-1-state-health-officials-say

It's no secret that in Montana, affordable housing can be hard to find. Have you ever struggled to make rent or mortgage payments? Then make your voice heard. Scan the code or check out the link in bio to share your story and help make a difference in Montana's housing policy.

Have you experienced houselessness? Are you currently unhoused? Your story has power, and sharing it could help change Montana's housing policy for the better. Scan the code or go to the link in bio to make your voice heard.

Have you experienced houselessness? Are you currently unhoused? Your story has power, and sharing it could help change Montana's housing policy for the better. Scan the code or go to the link in bio to make your voice heard.

Most Montanans on expanded Medicaid are already working or face a barrier to work. Data shows reporting requirements often result in kicking eligible people off health coverage due to procedural errors and insufficient support. Learn more: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/dphhs-wr-update

"[Montana] continues to lag behind national averages in how long it takes to approve or deny Medicaid applications, even without the increased complexity." https://missoulian.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_a3ef7eaa-bef9-5fa3-933b-abb7222328a3.html#selection-3715.245-3715.408

Houselessness can affect anyone, regardless of age or race, and has continually increased in Montana over the past 5 years. Learn more about how Montana can provide more and better support here: https://www.montanabudget.org/post/access-to-housing

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