The House has made its priorities known in its version of the state budget. Among its numerous provisions, the budget passed by the House March 31 promised to:
-Reinstituted a waiting list for those with developmental disabilities
-Create a waiting list for services for those with chronic and severe mental illnesses
-Reinstate a waiting list for low-wage working families in need of child care subsidies
-Reduce or eliminate substance abuse treatment and prevention
-Eliminate subsidies to families who adopt special-needs children
-Eliminate TANF eligibility for married couples with children
-Prioritize further tax cuts over significant and urgent human needs
The public hearing on the 2012-2013 state budget held on Holy Thursday was much like the one held by House Finance. Hundreds of NH citizens came to Concord, all asking the Senate Finance Committee to maintain life-supporting and vital human services in the next two-year funding plan. NH Council of Churches, representing its 10 member denominations, testified alongside our brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, this will not suffice - churches must remain engaged!
STEPS FROM HERE...
Senate Finance will work on its version of the budget over the next few weeks, and plans to begin voting May 9 on recommendations to Senate colleagues. The Senate has until June 2 to complete its proposed budget.
From there, House and Senate negotiators must find common ground through a committee of conference and pass a budget by June 23.
Time is short to speak up for a budget that reflects who we are as a state and a community. New Hampshire can do better than what was proposed by the House. We have a moral obligation, through the government we elect, to craft a sensible budget that meets the needs of our residents. We look to the Senate to draft a budget that uses the best revenue information available and doesn't dig the budget hole deeper by making senseless tax cuts at a time when the budget gap is so deep and the need so great.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW:
THIS WEEK & NEXT:
CALL YOUR SENATOR ON FINANCE: Contact Senate Finance Committee members Chuck Morse, Chairman, Bob Odell, V Chairman, Jack Barnes, Peter Bragdon, Lou D'Allesandro
Jeanie Forrester and John Gallus (see Senate contacts here). This is especially important if they represent you or your church communities. (If you're unsure which Senator represents your town or church, see this link.)
Urge your senator to prioritize human needs in this budget and retain all available revenue sources to do so - i.e., don't prioritize tax cuts over the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors.
SIGN UP FOR A VIGIL SHIFT: Interfaith Voices for a Humane Budget will continue its presence in the State House to remind our elected Representatives and Senators that inhumane and immoral budget reductions are unacceptable to the citizens of this state. You can sign up for a shift by visiting the calendar. If you're on Facebook, search for "Interfaith Voices for a Humane Budget" to join this group.
BEFORE JUNE 2:
JOIN WITH OTHER CLERGY in your area to meet with your local Senators and House members. The NH Council of Churches has packaged resources you can use to host civil and meaningful dialogues with lawmakers on the topic of state budgeting. Members of the clergy, lay leaders and others do not need to be expert in budgeting and policy; you are expert witnesses to the phone calls for emergency help, the uptick in visits to your food pantries, and meeting the daily challenges of those to whom you minister.
Please contact David Lamarre-Vincent by email or phone 224-1352 for more information on gathering a local group.
