Missoula County supports HJ 29: Study of victim services and funding in Montana, up for hearing tomorrow morning in the House Judiciary Committee. The state heavily relies on federal formula and grant funding to support victim services across the state. Local jurisdictions may provide victim services funding as well, but levels of support vary widely. At the federal level, the money is subject to a competitive process that is onerous for small communities and is subject to unpredictable funding levels, political wrangling, shutdowns, etc. The impact is that there are often shortages and gaps in victim services funding at the local level. This bill is to study the process and available funds to support crime victim services within the state, and if it is appropriate for state general fund dollars to help support these services. Currently, Montana is one of only a handful of states that doesn't currently use general funds to provide these essential services, and, in one federal grant program alone, we are $4.5M short in requested funds due to changes at the federal level.
Missoula County supports HJ 29: Study of victim services and funding in Montana, up for second reading on the House floor this morning. The state heavily relies on federal formula and grant funding to support victim services across the state. Local jurisdictions may provide victim services funding as well, but levels of support vary widely. At the federal level, the money is subject to a competitive process that is onerous for small communities and is subject to unpredictable funding levels, political wrangling, shutdowns, etc. The impact is that there are often shortages and gaps in victim services funding at the local level. This bill is to study the process and available funds to support crime victim services within the state, and if it is appropriate for state general fund dollars to help support these services. Currently, Montana is one of only a handful of states that doesn't currently use general funds to provide these essential services, and, in one federal grant program alone, we are $4.5M short in requested funds due to changes at the federal level.
Representatives France and Tenenbaum,
ReplyDeleteMissoula County supports HJ 29: Study of victim services and funding in Montana, up for hearing tomorrow morning in the House Judiciary Committee. The state heavily relies on federal formula and grant funding to support victim services across the state. Local jurisdictions may provide victim services funding as well, but levels of support vary widely. At the federal level, the money is subject to a competitive process that is onerous for small communities and is subject to unpredictable funding levels, political wrangling, shutdowns, etc. The impact is that there are often shortages and gaps in victim services funding at the local level. This bill is to study the process and available funds to support crime victim services within the state, and if it is appropriate for state general fund dollars to help support these services. Currently, Montana is one of only a handful of states that doesn't currently use general funds to provide these essential services, and, in one federal grant program alone, we are $4.5M short in requested funds due to changes at the federal level.
Please support HJ 29.
Representatives,
ReplyDeleteMissoula County supports HJ 29: Study of victim services and funding in Montana, up for second reading on the House floor this morning. The state heavily relies on federal formula and grant funding to support victim services across the state. Local jurisdictions may provide victim services funding as well, but levels of support vary widely. At the federal level, the money is subject to a competitive process that is onerous for small communities and is subject to unpredictable funding levels, political wrangling, shutdowns, etc. The impact is that there are often shortages and gaps in victim services funding at the local level. This bill is to study the process and available funds to support crime victim services within the state, and if it is appropriate for state general fund dollars to help support these services. Currently, Montana is one of only a handful of states that doesn't currently use general funds to provide these essential services, and, in one federal grant program alone, we are $4.5M short in requested funds due to changes at the federal level.
Please support HJ 29.