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New Hampshire Council of Churches
People of faith strengthening New Hampshire communities
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Contact: David Lamarre-Vincent
NH Council of Churches
Phone 603 224-1352
Cell 603 696-6989
Fax 603 224-9181
140 Sheep Davis Rd.
Pembroke, NH 03275
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Press Release
Church Leaders Call House Budget Failure as a Moral Document
Diverse Religious Bodies Join Rally - Calls for Senate to Craft Moral Budget Protecting State’s Most Vulnerable
CONCORD, March 31, 2011 -- The New Hampshire Council of Churches, whose diverse denominations include Protestant, Episcopal, Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian traditions, joined individuals and organizations today calling upon the state Senate for a state budget that adequately provides for the critical needs of its most vulnerable citizens.
NHCC religious leaders attended 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 downshifted 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.
“The state budget embodies the morals and values of our people. Public budgets have both fiscal and moral consequences. The House budget fails both standards. It is fiscally irresponsible and morally reprehensible. Unified in the belief that budgets should be crafted through a moral and value-based process, rather than a strictly fiduciary one, we must do better” said Executive Director David Lamarre-Vincent.
“Failure to support a strong state budget, retreat from our responsibility to one another, tears the fabric that binds our society together – love and love for our most vulnerable,” said Lamarre-Vincent. “State spending choices we make reflect and reinforce our values. Close attention to ethical issues when crafting the state budget ensures our money will be used wisely, and strengthen NH’s future. We urge our lawmakers to assess government budgets as embodiments of New Hampshire’s highest values, placing people first and protecting all of God’s people, esp. the most vulnerable among us.”
About the New Hampshire Council of Churches: The New Hampshire Council of Churches, 10 member denominations, works together for peace, for the poor, and for the care of the planet. Rooted in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, the NHCC inspires congregations and people of faith to unite in good works that build a culture of justice, compassion and peace.
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The Rev. Jean O'Bresky, a public policy associate for the New Hampshire Council of Churches, traveled to Washington for the Jericho March on Tuesday, a march by faith leaders in support of the DREAM Act. The act, which is pending in the U.S. Senate, would give young, undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship if they complete college or serve in the military.