Gov. Gianforte Announces Tools
to Help Navigate ARPA
ARPA Website and Call Center Launched
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte announced on June 1 the launch
of a website and call center for the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
program.
The website, arpa.mt.gov, provides information on funding projects and grants under the purview of Montana’s four ARPA commissions: water and sewer,
communications, economic stabilization and workforce development, and health and human services. The site also offers information about rental assistance and pandemic-related funding for K-12 education.
The site will feature a chat portal and maintain a list of frequently asked
questions and answers to help guide Montanans through the process.
The State of Montana also launched a call center to ensure individuals are well served and can receive answers to their ARPA-related questions. Montanans may dial 1-844-406-ARPA (2772) to reach the call center.
Mike Foster, ARPA program director, is working with commissions and state agencies to establish a smooth, efficient process to provide the governor with
recommendations for how to allocate federal ARPA funds. The governor will
consider their recommendations and decide how to distribute over $1.5 billion
in federal funds in compliance with ARPA, House Bill 632, and Senate Bill 297.
The eligible uses of the funds are subject to change based on federal
regulations and guidance.
Visit the website at arpa.mt.gov.
Troy: $123,121.75
6/11/21 6.3M to 18 cities, towns
“The ARPA funds we’re distributing today provide 18 additional towns and cities with the authority to address their individual needs, whether to support those impacted by the pandemic or to invest in their infrastructure needs,” Gov. Greg Gianforte said.
The State of Montana will issue payments today, and the cities and towns should receive the funds by early next week.
Local governments typically serving a population under 50,000 are eligible for funding through the federal Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, and funding allocations are determined by population.
This is the second in a series of disbursements to towns and cities that will be made by the state by June 30.
17.3M June 16 to 42 cities and towns
Libby $354,932.94
Fish, Wildlife & Parks sign-up opens for surplus drawing licenses and permits
HELENA – Hunters interested in purchasing licenses or permits left over from the special license and permit drawing can do so from June 21 through
July 21. This new process for the sale of surplus licenses began in 2020 in
response to issues in years past. The old process was vulnerable to long lag times, confusion and a perception of inequity for those unable to use the
first-come, first-served online option starting at 5 a.m.
Hunters can sign up for leftover licenses and permits that were not dis-tributed by the drawing through MyFWP on the FWP website. The resulting
Surplus License List will be randomized with hunters at the top of the list
contacted via email with instructions to finalize their purchase within
a specified time.
To be placed on the Surplus License List, resident and nonresident hunters can sign up through the MyFWP portal:
myfwp.mt.gov/fwpExtPortal/login/login.jsp
This new process requires hunters to keep their email address current in their ALS record. Payment of the license fee is not required to sign up on the Surplus License List. Obtaining a license from this list has no effect on your
existing preference points.
Hunters must finalize the purchase of the license/permit within the timeframe specified in the email, otherwise, your opportunity will be offered to the next hunter on the randomized list. FWP may offer opportunities that have not sold out through the Surplus License List to over-the-counter customers at our internal and external license sale providers.
The timeframes to sign up for the various Surplus lists are as follows:
Deer & Elk Permits, Deer B & Elk B License: June 21 – July 21
Antelope, Antelope B, Crane, Special Mountain Lion: August 9– Aug. 27
Nonresidents who hold a NR Native license, Youth Combo license, or NR College Student Combination license may purchase Deer B and Elk B licenses at half price.
For more information, contact the FWP licensing office at 406-444-2950 or fwplic@mt.gov.
Commissioner asks Montanans to know the signs of Guardian Financial Abuse
Helena, Mont. – In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, the Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) reminded financial professionals and the general public throughout Montana to be on the lookout for signs of elder financial abuse, including potential exploitation by guardians.
Whether publicly funded or privately appointed, a guardian has a legal
obligation to act in the best interest of a protected individual. Guardians often are granted extensive access and control of a protected individual’s assets. Financial abuse or exploitation by guardians could occur if the guardian improperly uses the protected individual’s funds, securities, property, or other assets.
“A trusted guardian can be a great resource. But sometimes guardians take advantage of the people in their care.” Commissioner Downing continues, “Taking the time to understand the warning signs of guardian financial abuse and the steps that can be taken to report such abuse are key to helping those who cannot help themselves.”
The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), of which CSI is a member, has developed resources to help call attention to the red flags
of fraud and suspected guardian financial abuse. The “Guarding the Guardians” publication provides examples of exploitation and information on reporting
suspected elder financial abuse.
Examples of suspected guardian abuse include:
The guardian takes money from the protected individual’s investment
portfolio to buy a new car for personal use.
The guardian overcharges for a caregiving service, such as billing the estate hourly for wait time to file paperwork in person when it could have been
submitted online.
The guardian does not take the protected individual to medical appointments or purchase their necessary medication.
The publication, as well as other resources to help seniors are available on NASAA’s Serve Our Seniors website: serveourseniors.org/about/investors.
Other senior investor protection resources are available at www.CSIMT.gov.
Commissioner Downing urges anyone with suspicions of senior financial
exploitation to contact our agency at 406-444-2040.