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April 30 2010
The Legislature ended Thursday night April 29 about 11pm.
· This Legislature finished the budget on March 21 and it was brutal for children, families and vulnerable adults.
· The legislature and the Governor had options to avoid cuts, but failed to use them because of ideological mindsets or the lack of openness to alternatives.
· They cut hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people off of programs in addition to the already cruel cuts of 2009.
· There is no way to sugar coat the draconian actions taken in the health and human services and education budget cuts.
· A short of list of cuts is provided below.
· The KidsCare and AHCCCS cuts were restored in last days of this session. But it appears only because health care reform required the maintenance of effort of these current programs and the potential loss of federal matching funds of up to $8 billion dollars.
· However, the KidsCare enrollment cap remains in effect with the program denying about 100 children a day health care coverage.
· Other denial lists/enrollment caps also remain in effect like for child care subsidy for low income working families.
· First Things First program elimination is being referred to the November ballot with funds diverted to the general fund for other purposes. We must oppose this November ballot measure.
· The demise of HB2250 – The Corporate Taxes Giveaway bill (so called corporate welfare bill) was good news at the end of session.
· However, rumors are circulating that it will re-appear after the May 18 special election in a special session. Strong persistent advocacy by PAFCO groups and PAFCO allies with teachers, unions and community groups helped stop this bad tax cut bill for now.
· NEXT WEEK WE WILL PROVIDE A DETAILED LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY.
· Our work is not done. We must work for passage of Prop 100 on May 18 and begin to work for the primary and general election to overturn these bad budget decisions by electing people who will support children, families and vulnerable adults.
PAFCO SUPPORTS PROP 100 On May 18, 2010 the State will hold a special election to approve a temporary 1% sales tax increase. This increase would generate approximately $1 billion in revenue to cover the $3.5 billion deficit Arizona is currently facing. Early voting has started for Prop 100, the temporary sales tax increase. If you don’t automatically receive an early ballot, you can request one until May 7th at your county recorder’s office. Click here to find your county recorder website.
· PAFCO supports this ballot initiative for two distinct reasons:
1) Arizona needs to generate additional revenue, but more importantly
2) Passing this initiative would send a clear message to our legislature that the citizens of Arizona are willing to tax themselves in order to assist in remedying the state budget crisis and to maintain funding to programs that aid our most vulnerable populations.
· A “NO” vote on this initiative could send the wrong signal that that average citizens do not want to be taxed and will in turn make more cuts to more desperately needed, publically funded programs.
· Turn out at the polls on May 18, 2010 and let our legislature know that the citizens of Arizona are willing to do what it takes to protect health and human services for our most vulnerable populations.
· Tell your families; tell your neighbors, tell your friends, tell strangers…. Get the word out!
· Here are some things you can do right now:
· Register to vote. You can do this online. The last day to register to vote is April 19, 2010.
· Register to receive a permanent early ballot. Request your early ballot through your county recorder's office. The last day to request an early ballot is May 7, 2010.
· Tell your family, friends, and neighbors about Prop 100 and why it's important to public education in Arizona. Tell them to visityeson100.com.
· Vote Yes on Prop 100 on May 18.
· WHAT IF THE PROP 100 -- THE SALES TAX FAILS IN MAY. CHILDREN’S ACTION ALLIANCE HAS PREPARED AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONSEQUENCES AND ADDITIONAL CUTS. See the link below. http://www.azchildren.org/MyFiles/10%20Legislature/Sales_Tax_Fails_3-30-10.pdf
Sb1070 - the anti – immigration bill.
This bill is divisive and will most likely result in racial profiling. It sends the wrong message about our pursuit for social justice and human dignity in our communities and will create fear in the Latino and immigrant communities. Many community leaders including Maricopa County attorney Rick Romley, Mayor Phil Gordon of Phoenix, agency leaders like Luz Sarmina of Valle de Sol and Edmundo Hidalgo and many faith leaders and Bishops like the Arizona Ecumenical Council opposed this law. It is considered an unfunded mandate on local communities. It will be challenged in court. We all need to work to overcome the fear and potential discrimination that will result in this law. The Arizona Ecumenical Council has provided some good thoughts about to respond to the fear and panic that may result as result of this law. We also need to work for more just laws and lawmakers who will bring our community together in justice and peace. www.aecunity.net
BAD BUDGET CUTS WHICH MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
Health Care cuts passed (Program restored in Sb1043)
· 310,000 individuals proposed to be cut from AHCCCS health care based on Governor’s proposal to significantly scale back AHCCCS voter mandated Prop 204 health care coverage. No referral to voters, just action today to make these cuts on January 1, 2011.
· 45,000 children lose health care with the proposed elimination of KidsCare - proposed for April 1, 2010.
Behavioral Health cuts passed (36,500 people will lose services)
· 17,000 seriously mentally ill adults face dramatic reductions in services.
· 4,200 children to lose behavioral health services leaving children and families with no where to turn.
· 6,600 people losing substance abuse services --- leaving families abandon to addictions and children in those families at greater risk, stuck in the child welfare system, or people jailed or deaths or more emergency rooms visits and 911 calls.
· 11,000 people getting general mental health services --- except for some very limited medication and medication management services.
Human Services cuts passed
· 10,000 families (most female-headed) with 17,000 children are proposed to lose cash assistance --- for families already by definition very poor driving these families into deeper poverty effective April 1, 2010 if passed by the Legislature. This is an attack on some of the poorest of the poor with no where else to turn. Results will be increased homeless, desperation, illness, and family dislocation.
· 17,000 children are being denied child care.
· No 100% investigations of child protection or adult protection referrals and continued elimination of family support services. The system of in home family services has already been cut severely in the 2009/2010 cuts and will now be cut even with more families losing services and their children potentially going into foster care.
· Cuts in emergency services (eviction prevention, homeless prevention, etc) services for families in crisis effecting meaning 1,100 fewer families will receive emergency services.
· Cuts in domestic violence services reducing service to 1,600 victims of domestic violence will be turned away from shelters.
· Cuts in aging independent living services impacting hundreds of elderly and people with disabilities.
· Eliminate completely support for grandparents caring for their grandchildren.
· Eliminate state only supported services for children and adults with developmental disabilities throwing 300 children and 400 adults off services.
· Implementation of many new fees and means testing for programs like adoption services for children with disabilities, services for children and adults with disabilities --- potentially leaving many children and adults at serious risk and costing more downstream as high cost services are used.
· Read CAA's Fact Sheet on this budget plan.