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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2002

"Under welfare reform, for the first time, tribes are given a choice to develop, implement and administer their own welfare program, which would be beneficial for tribes. The problem with this option is that tribal governments often do not have the financial infrastructure to co-fund such a program change.

During the last legislative session, tribes testified about the profound impacts, on limited services to tribal members and on the unmet needs to tribes and their members. As a result, the tribes were successful in attaining $5.7 million dollars, which is the largest dollar amount since inception even though tribes carry 53 percent of the entire welfare caseload in Montana. Even so tribal leaders felt there had been headway made on behalf of tribes and tribal members.

Yet this would not last. Within six months (in October 2001), the tribes would be facing devastating news [of] budget cuts . . "

Get the Story:
Guest Opinion: Montana tribes struggle with welfare cuts, reforms (The Billings Gazette 1/23)

Relevant Links:
Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council - http://tlc.wtp.net