Some say that Bob McDonnell is a rising star of the GOP. If so, people need to take a close look at his proposed budget cuts which demonstrate a low priority towards everyday citizens, particularly the poor and those at the bottom of the economic food chain. The budget cuts are very much in keeping with the mindset of The Family Foundation and other far right elements in the Republican Party of Virginia that all too often seem to believe that one is down trodden, it is because one deserves such misfortune. Indeed, these self-congratulatory Christianists seem to take a decidedly un-Christian view of others be they black, gay, Hispanic, or non-Christian. It may be a very long four years under McDonnell's administration. The Virginian Pilot has details of McDonnell's proposed cuts and the reaction from those who work with society's down trodden elements. There seems to be little compassionate conservatism. Moreover, while McDonnell claims to want to create jobs and attract business, he utterly ignores what social atmosphere attracts the "creative class." Here are highlights:*
After reviewing his [McDonnell's] proposal to pare $2.2 billion from the budget, some human-service advocates question the governor's intentions. McDonnell's suggestions show "an absolute disregard in investments for our future, while... his spending demonstrates an appetite for more corporate takeover in Richmond," said Doug Smith, executive director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.
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Smith takes exception to cuts McDonnell recommended for school meals, homeless people, juvenile crime prevention, and a state insurance program for low-income children and pregnant women. By proposing those cuts while asking the legislature to approve tens of millions in funding to attract business to Virginia with incentives and tax credits, "Bob McDonnell is choosing business over people in this budget," Smith argued.
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Trish O'Brien, executive director of a human services organization called CHIP/Healthy Families in Chesapeake, said that if legislators approve the proposed cuts, she will lose half of her staff members, who check on 3,000 children in at-risk families throughout Chesapeake.
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Some programs that would be slashed or eliminated would save relatively little money. For example, a teen pregnancy prevention program in Norfolk, Portsmouth, and five other areas would be ended to save $900,000.
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State Sen. Janet Howell, D-Fairfax County, said McDonnell's proposed reductions slice "the heart and soul" out of state government. Particularly upsetting to state Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, is the possible cut to a school meals program. "To even put school lunches on the table has got to be the most insensitive thought of the session, because that school lunch is the only decent meal some of these kids are going to get in a day's time," Lucas said.
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The cuts to social services, mental health services and health insurance programs would fray the safety net of a growing number of Hampton Roads residents, according to Betty Wade Coyle, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads. "It's scaling back direct services to children and to the most vulnerable citizens in the community."
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Maureen Hollowell, who advocates for disabled people through the Norfolk-based Endependence Center, said 6,000 disabled and elderly people who receive services through a "consumer directed" program that allows them to hire their own personal care assistants would lose their funding under the governor's proposals.
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Many of us tried to warn that Bob McDonnell is no moderate, but few would listen. I hope voters take a good look at the GOP's priorities when it comes to viewing citizens as basically disposable goods. WWJD??
After reviewing his [McDonnell's] proposal to pare $2.2 billion from the budget, some human-service advocates question the governor's intentions. McDonnell's suggestions show "an absolute disregard in investments for our future, while... his spending demonstrates an appetite for more corporate takeover in Richmond," said Doug Smith, executive director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.
*
Smith takes exception to cuts McDonnell recommended for school meals, homeless people, juvenile crime prevention, and a state insurance program for low-income children and pregnant women. By proposing those cuts while asking the legislature to approve tens of millions in funding to attract business to Virginia with incentives and tax credits, "Bob McDonnell is choosing business over people in this budget," Smith argued.
*
Trish O'Brien, executive director of a human services organization called CHIP/Healthy Families in Chesapeake, said that if legislators approve the proposed cuts, she will lose half of her staff members, who check on 3,000 children in at-risk families throughout Chesapeake.
*
Some programs that would be slashed or eliminated would save relatively little money. For example, a teen pregnancy prevention program in Norfolk, Portsmouth, and five other areas would be ended to save $900,000.
*
State Sen. Janet Howell, D-Fairfax County, said McDonnell's proposed reductions slice "the heart and soul" out of state government. Particularly upsetting to state Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, is the possible cut to a school meals program. "To even put school lunches on the table has got to be the most insensitive thought of the session, because that school lunch is the only decent meal some of these kids are going to get in a day's time," Lucas said.
*
The cuts to social services, mental health services and health insurance programs would fray the safety net of a growing number of Hampton Roads residents, according to Betty Wade Coyle, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads. "It's scaling back direct services to children and to the most vulnerable citizens in the community."
*
Maureen Hollowell, who advocates for disabled people through the Norfolk-based Endependence Center, said 6,000 disabled and elderly people who receive services through a "consumer directed" program that allows them to hire their own personal care assistants would lose their funding under the governor's proposals.
*
Many of us tried to warn that Bob McDonnell is no moderate, but few would listen. I hope voters take a good look at the GOP's priorities when it comes to viewing citizens as basically disposable goods. WWJD??
1 comment:
As someone who works in an inner city school in Roanoke, VA, I see no problem with Bob McDonnell's proposed budget cuts for school meals. Free and reduced school breakfast will be eliminated, not lunch, so Sen. Louise Lucas should take notes and get her facts correct. For clarity, I will reiterate, NO child will be denied a school lunch.
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