A view of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Photo from Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
North Dakota newspaper commends the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe for taking a hard look at its budget:
Facing budget problems, the council has been looking at cuts so it can get its books back in order. Among the cuts are programs and funds for the elderly. Gone: Twice yearly payments of $750 to elders to be used as needed. The casino-revenue funded program providing the payments is called Elderly Needs. Tribal members age 60 and over have received the $750 checks in May and December to help with propane, groceries and basic utilities. The total paid out was about $900,000. Under the new proposed budget, checks will go only to tribal members 70 and older for a total cost of $275,000. However, a casino-funded Elderly Nutrition program won’t go away. The nutrition program will get $350,000 in the proposed budget, along with another $150,000 for elderly protection to make sure elders are not being abused in family or care settings.Get the Story:
Editorial: Tribe needs to make its budget work (The Bismarck Tribune 9/11) Also Today:
Some cuts hurt, but tribal chairman says austerity will secure the future (The Bismarck Tribune 9/7)
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