Bishop McCormack

NHCC religious leaders attended and spoke at today’s Rally for New Hampshire to raise awareness of the urgent needs of increasing numbers of families and individuals as their share in economic recovery deteriorates and need a public safety net of programs and services. Senators were urged to assess New Hampshire’s fiscal resources and create a realistic budget that reflects New Hampshire’s highest values. They denounced the House budget that downshifts burdens onto the very people most affected by hard times, the mentally ill, physically or developmentally disabled, impoverished elderly and children, and the lowest income households.

  

Unacceptable, immoral, House cuts reinstate a waiting list for developmentally disabled adults needing support, eliminate state childcare subsidies so poorest parents can work, support their families while children receive safe, quality care. Diverse religious leaders urged the Senate to reevaluate House treatment of significant programs like Medicaid, which allows for no growth over the biennium accomplished by severely reducing eligibility. 

  

NHCC board member Bishop John McCormack of the Catholic Diocese of Manchester said lawmakers have a constitutional, as well as a moral, responsibility to care for the poor. "Only after funding our foremost obligation to the poor should budget writers proceed to address the needs of the various state departments," McCormack said.