The Montana Budget and Policy Center receives $200,000 grant for research

The Montana Budget and Policy Center http://www.montanabudget.org/ in Helena was recently awarded a $200,000 grant to help it continue its research and analysis of state budget, tax and economic policies.

The grant was part of the Northwest Area Foundation’s $2.25 million in grants in a "Bank the Unbanked" initiative to build job skills, engage leadership and improve public policy.

"It’s a significant contribution to our operating expenses," said Tara Veazey, executive director of MBPC. "It will allow us to do this work and expand in areas that we think are important."

The nonprofit center established in 2008 does not receive government funding and employs a team of three individuals, including an economist research director and outreach and media coordinator.

During the legislative session, the MBPC supported a handful of bills and pushed for the state to update and produce realistic revenue estimates, hoping to avoid the unnecessary cuts that occurred, Veazey said.

By JEFF WINDMUELLER

Full Story: http://helenair.com/news/local/mbpc-receives-grant-for-research/article_2cf6331c-2dfa-11e1-a34d-0019bb2963f4.html