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In late February,
Governor Pat Quinn published information about the current and
projected state budget at
http://www2.illinois.gov/budget/Pages/default.aspx.
This website also provides an opportunity for the general public
to provide comment on the state budget.
Without new revenue, major budget cuts are projected for education
and human services, two areas critical to the health and
well-being of women, children, adolescents and their families.
We urge you to take action by submitting public comment on the
budget website and stressing the need for new revenue. Here are
some sample talking points:
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We're all hurting
from this broken budget. Providers who care for women and
children aren't being paid, critical human service agencies are
closing their doors and families who need the most help are not
being served. We elect leaders to fix tough problems, not defend
a broken status quo. Please urge legislators to support HB 174
and raise revenue now.
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The budget is
broken. Illinois is 49th of 50 states in education
funding, dead last in state employees per resident, and
according to a new report, has underfunded human services by
$4.4 billion since 2002. The problem is NOT too much spending.
Please raise revenue to fund these essential services.
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Public services are
needed more than ever by families struggling in the recession.
More cuts are the wrong approach - they will cause more harm in
lost services and lost jobs. At this time of need, Illinois
needs to step up, reform taxes, save services and jobs.
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More than 30 states
have raised taxes to keep pace in this recession. Illinois has
the nation's lowest income-tax rate and narrowest sales-tax
base. We're out of step and falling further behind. We need tax
reform to invest in our communities, not more cuts to public
services and jobs.
Additionally, feel free to use your personal experiences or those
of families you work with to illustrate the need to fund essential
services (e.g. health care, human services, public safety
education, education, etc...).
Governor Quinn will deliver his full budget address on Wednesday,
March 10th. Please submit your comments today at
http://www2.illinois.gov/budget/Pages/Suggest.aspx
For
more information about HB174, visit the Responsible Budget
Coalition's website at
www.abetterillinois.com. |
