Week 10: Legislative Session Update - TRANSMITTAL BREAK
Today marks the start of transmittal break – which means we’re already halfway through the session! As a Catalyst Montana board member, I couldn’t be more thankful for the work that our organizers have done this session to move Montana towards justice, dignity, and safety for all!
In the last 9 weeks, our team has done incredible work across the state, like:
Hosting the Rally for Montana Medicaid with our friends at Healthy Montana!
Bringing together volunteers from across Montana for 6 phone banks - sign up to join us at the next phone bank!
Produced the Montana Medicaid Storybook!
Testifying at legislative committees more than 35 times!
Supporting Montanans through our weekly office hours - join us at the next one!
Hosting our Lobby Day at the 19th Annual Policy Leadership Institute with over 75 people talking to legislators about the Fair Housing Tax Credit and Medicaid Expansion!
Plus, this team has sent weekly updates with timely and relevant information about the issues impacting low-income and marginalized Montanans and created helpful evergreen resources to ensure Montanans know how to make their voice heard:
Dillon, our Senior Organizer, shared a story about helping Michele from Glasgow, MT give her first legislative testimony. He talked her through the process of testifying on the phone and he could tell she was really nervous. He worked with her to draft and practice telling her story about the impact of Medicaid Expansion and provide moral support from afar as she testified remotely! Michele texted Dillon right after testifying saying she was “…ecstatic and wanted more ways to get involved in Catalyst MT!” It’s moments like this, when we support people like Michele, to speak truth to power for the first-time, that remind me why I support this critical work!
Through this work, Catalyst Montana has helped kill bills like HB 205, which would’ve reinstated the death penalty in Montana, and SB 114, which would have required that the 10 commandments be posted in classrooms. It’s also helped pass bills like HB 245 that will ensure that 80,000 Montanans can continue to access Montana Medicaid!
Join the Board in thanking the Catalyst Montana Staff! Our staff at Catalyst Montana deserve a thank you for all the long hours, hard work, and passion they've put in during this legislative session to make Montana more just!
The Catalyst Montana office is closed today (Monday) through Wednesday to give the team a much needed break! I know they will be eager to support YOU in engaging in the legislature when they return on Thursday. I hope that each of you is taking some time to rest, reflect, and connect with your community this week as well.
In solidarity,
Amber Shaffer
Board Member
Gratitude to Legislators
In Montana, we have a citizens legislature, which means that those who are elected to serve as Representatives and Senators often have jobs outside of serving in public office. This is a foundational part of ensuring our policies reflect the lived experiences of Montanans – and it’s tough to leave your jobs, families, and friends for 3 months! To that end, we’re sending some appreciation to legislators who have fought for low-income and marginalized Montanans!
Medicaid Expansion: Send a thank you email to Senators who have protected Montana’s access to Montana Medicaid.
Trans Equality: Send a thank you to legislators who have voted to support the dignity and safety of Transgender Montanans!
Criminal Legal Reform: Send a thank you to Rep. James Reavis who has led the effort to make our Criminal Legal System more just.
Upcoming Legislative Action
The legislative session is overwhelming! The process moves quickly – and there are urgent calls to action every day! We’re likely going to fall back into that after the Transmittal Break, BUT this week we can give you some breathing room to plan some key actions in the coming weeks. Don’t worry if you forget, we’ll be sending reminders!
Economic Justice
Feed Kids All Summer: The House Appropriation Committee will be reconsidering cutting the Sunbucks Program that provides families with federal dollars to subsidize the cost of food over the summer. Mark your calendars to take action on March 18th as we think HB 2 will be discussed on March 19th and 20th!
Accessible Childcare: House Bills 456 and 457 help expand access to the Best Beginnings Childcare Scholarship. HB 456 expands access to all child care workers, regardless of income, and HB 457 expands eligibility to families who are at 85% of the state median income. Mark your calendars to take action on March 12th as we think that these bills will be heard on March 13th!
Criminal Legal Reform
There will be a number of opportunities to take action on criminal legal reform in the second half of the legislative session. If you’re at all interested in taking action or even just learning more, set up a one-on-one with our Justice Initiative Director, Nicole Gomez Patalano by emailing her at nicole@catalystmt.org.
PBS did a great segment on overcrowding in our prison system that should be a must watch for all Montanans!
