June 20, 2008

ACTION ALERT - MAKE SURE YOUR VOICE IS HEARD! 

-Are the budget talks stalled or proceeding?  Depends upon whom you believe but June 30 deadline is fast approaching and everyone seems concerned - finally. 

-Some optimists believe something will break next week sometime maybe by Wednesday - June 25. 

-LUMP SUM Cuts are emerging as the pressure filled solution to making cuts and the last minute way to get the budget done.  But lump sum cuts have many pros and cons.  They can profoundly and negatively impact programs if applied acrossed the board, cutting critical programs needed during this recession.

-Difficult choices have to be made. Years of serious neglect of adequate revenues have created this situation.  But the legislature must not take it out on children and families.

-PAFCO is very concerned if there is no budget what will happened to many children and vulnerable adults receiving health care, child care, home care, in-home services, substance abuse treatment and host of critical health and human services. Please contact your legislators and urge them to be responsible and protect children and vulnerable adults. 

-Don't let them give into dooms day scenarios that balance the budget on backs of children and vulnerable adults.  They created this situation; they must find responsible ways to resolve it with taking it out on our society most vulnerable citizens. 

-Cuts to health and human services serving low income people, many whom are new to poverty and need makes no sense humanely or economically.  Nobel Prize economist Joseph Stiglitz, reports that "cutting spending on programs that serve low-income people tends to reduce consumption - and thus state economic activity - by the full amount of the spending reduction."

-HAVE YOU CONTACTED YOUR LEGISLATORS YET? Don't let others make the decision for you.  YOU CAN DO AGAIN - STOP CUTS!