(Help for the people who will need it)
Click the Barf Bag
Posted on 01/20/2002 2:07:52 PM PST by Silvertip
Jewish community advocates expect another difficult year in Olympia Jewish community advocates expect another difficult year in Olympia By Donna Gordon Blankinship Transcript Editor Tax reform — read: raising taxes — may be the only way out of the state’s perpetual budget struggle, both advocates of the Jewish community in Olympia are saying as the Legislature prepares to get back to work on Monday. "It’s time to think about how to increase revenues instead of pitting all of the vulnerable programs against each other," said Sherry Appleton, lobbyist for the Coalition for a Jewish Voice. Although her Jewish Federation partner, Government Affairs Director Remy Trupin, says the federation probably won’t come out directly in favor of tax increases, it is likely to be a topic of discussion. The Jewish Federation sends Trupin to Olympia each year to guard the government money going to Jewish organizations and to the people who are helped by the Kline Galland Center, Jewish Family Service and other agencies. It’s highly likely the federation will hold some public forums on tax reform," Trupin said Wednesday, adding that these forums may not take place during the current 60-day legislative session. Both the Coalition for a Jewish Voice and the Jewish Federation are uttering the once unmentionable topic of tax increases because the Legislature is, once again, struggling to balance the state’s budget. The economic downturn combined with a series of costly ballot initiatives have swallowed up whatever surpluses the state once had. The state faces an expected shortfall of at least $1.25 billion to pay for the budget passed last year, according to Appleton. Although the biennial budget was approved last year and this is technically an "off-budget" session, the Legislature will have no choice but to address budget issues because of the economy and the initiatives. The governor’s proposed supplemental budget includes about $240 million in cuts to human services, according to Trupin. "We don’t believe that the budget should be balanced on the backs of the most vulnerable people in our community, and we will resist that," Appleton said. She said the governor’s proposal eliminates some 30 programs including some like public health nursing and the state portion of Social Security that directly impact the poor. She also expects a possible fight over whether the government should keep programs that assist children or the elderly. "The only way out of that is to find ways of raising revenue," Appleton said. The coalition is considering advocating in favor of tax increases and closing up business tax exemptions. Trupin said that of the $240 million in cuts to human services in the governor’s proposal, $70 million would be cut from nursing homes. He estimates that the Kline Galland Center would stand to lose about $1 million a year if this proposal becomes law. He said Jewish Family Service is not really impacted by the governor’s proposal, but if the revenue the budget requires does not come in, the Legislature will have to look for other ways to cut the budget. "The programs for the poorest of the poor are always No. 1 on the chopping block," Trupin added. Other issues Jewish community advocates expect to focus on this session: • A proposed new statute that would make it a felony to train individuals or groups for militia or paramilitary activities. Trupin said the federation is working on this legislation on behalf of the Anti-Defamation League. • A bill to provide unemployment insurance benefits to victims of domestic violence. This proposal died in committee last year, but since this year’s Legislature does not have an equal tie between Democrats and Republicans in the House, Trupin expects the bill to have an easier time getting approved. Democrats gained a seat in the November election. • A housing bill to provide funds for a Housing Trust Fund also didn’t make it out of a House committee last year. • The coalition also will be watching terrorism legislation, to see if any bills would take away civil liberties. "We fought too many times to make sure we had civil liberties … that’s why people want to come here. People have to think twice about giving up civil liberties," Appleton said. The Coalition for a Jewish Voice is holding its annual Legislative Forum from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13, at Temple Beth Am in Seattle. The meeting will focus on a preview of legislative issues, an analysis of proposed cuts in human services programs and a discussion of civil liberty issues. Speakers will be State Rep. Laura Ruderman; State Sen. Adam Kline; the government relations director of the Children’s Home Society, Laurie Lippold; and Brian Goldberg of the Seattle regional office of the Anti-Defamation League.
G** D*** commie scum!!!
Hmmmm, more money for the government and no guns for the people. Now where have we seen that before?
While most ADL members are Jewish, not all Jews are ADL.JPFO is an example
Let's not paint with a broad brush. There are several Jews on our side.
I think it says it's a "right of the people," that "shall not be infringed."
More than 'several'....as FR is proving with each passing thread, there are more than most people think.
So do many Christian orgs. In Michigan, I had to fight my own for CCW(Michigan Catholic Conference). The United Methodists want a total ban.
Look up the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.(http://www.csgv.org). There are leftists in all religious orgs.
Puts them is the same boat as the anti-American, anti-Freedom, anti-gun communist non-Jews
G** D*** commie scum!!!
Bump.
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