State Lawmakers Hold Listening Session on Proposed Human Service Budget Cuts

February 22, 2010 in Montana

by jhwygirl

Ugh. How disappointed I am in myself to have missed getting this up.

Travis Hoffman administers a listserv for Summit Independent Living Center. He does a great job informing on current local, state, and national issues and legislation that affect the lives of people with disabilities. Last week he posted a notice regarding what was tonight’s listening session on proposed cuts to the state’s Health and Human Services budget.

Tonight’s meeting was jointly sponsored by Republican state Sen. Dave Lewis and Democratic state Rep. Mary Caferro. It’s purpose was to take public input on preserving the effective programs and services of the Montana Department of Health and Human Services during the economic downturn.

DPHHS is facing some serious cuts. Last session saw permanent cuts made (which were supplanted by stimulus funds), something that was done as part of last minute budget negotiations. The ‘deal’ was that the cuts would be restored next session (2011) – clearly, that is going be difficult if not impossible. Lewis (a member of the Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Safety committee) and Caferro (Vice-chair of House Human Services committee) are both extremely hardworking legislators (as opposed to the bunch that I classify as politicians continuously running for re-election) and are smart to be getting out in front of this.

For those that were unable to attend – or are finding out late about it as may be the case here –

Support Missoula’s Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre

February 22, 2010 in Missoula, Montana

by jhwygirl

I’m basically going to poach this from Dave Budge (a Missoula resident) who posts over at Electric City Weblog. It’s a good cause, and I’m sure he won’t mind.

The annual spring performance of Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre will show on February 26th at the Missoula Children’s Theater. Featured work is original choreography by RMBT’s creative director, Charlene Campbell. On the “programme” (I’m trying to be sophisticated here) is a special performance of the Rossetti Trio playing pieces from Schindler’s List:

Praised as a “vital force among chamber music ensembles,” the Rossetti Trio is renowned for its highly sophisticated, sensual sound and extensive range of colors. Founding members of the Rossetti String Quartet, Henry Gronnier and Thomas Diener perform works of Debussy, Ravel Dvorak and Beethoven with award winning pianist Rina Dokshitsky.

Tickets are $45.00 (hey, it’s a fundraiser.) Information on the Company and the performance can be found here.

Dave posted a video, too, of last year’s winter performance. Quite a talented bunch, this video features his daughter of whom he clearly is extremely proud.

Doesn’t look like a bad way to start off a Friday night.