Budget Update:
Yesterday the Governor sent a letter to the members of the North Carolina General Assembly urging them to raise revenue to protect vital services in our state including education, public safety and healthcare. Included in the letter was a specific proposal to for revenue that would raise $1.6 billion in the first year and $1.7 billion in the second year through modernization of our tax code, temporary taxes and targeted tax relief. The Governor's office has stated that the proposal, combined with $3.8 billion in budget cuts and $2.4 billion funds form the federal government would balance the budget while still ensuring we meet the most critical needs of NC citizens.
This letter comes at a critical time: House and Senate Conferees are still at odds over cuts and cannot agree on tax revenue packages. The Senate has been pushing for increases that would total $15 billion, while the House is reluctant to extend revenue increases beyond $1 billion, nor can they agree on the kind of revenue changes that would make up the compromise package. Without agreement on the sources and amounts of new revenue, budget negotiations must continue based on an assumption of around $900 million being added back into the budget. The Senate passed an open ended continuing budget resolution that would keep the state operating at 85% of its current funding; the House amended the Senate resolution but limited it to July 15.
The state cannot continue to operate with a temporary budget that cuts 15% of state funding; In HHS some programs such as state institutions cannot operate at 85% of funding so a greater percentage of funds are being withheld from state funded services and supports to people with disabilities. We need the Legislature to pass a reasonable revenue package and prevent devastating cuts to services and supports to people with addictive disease, mental illness and developmental disabilities. These cuts, as they stand, without additional revenue, will result in the closure of programs, the loss of tens of thousands of jobs, and leave people without the services they need and are currently receiving.
ACTION:
Call your State Senator and your State House Representative and tell them you support the Governor's proposal for increasing revenue, and ask that part of these new revenues go to support services and supports in MH/DD/SA, including Medicaid. You can find contact information for your NC General Assembly representatives at
www.ncleg.net under "Representation" or
http://www.ncleg.net/GIS/RandR07/Home.html.
Please personalize your message with information about the reason these services are so important to you, those you serve, and your community.
Message:
I support the Governor's proposal for increased revenue. Part of any increased revenue needs to go to mental health, developmental disability, and addictive disease services, including those in Medicaid. The state budget cuts are still too deep and will devastate services and supports and result in the loss of thousands of jobs.
Thank you for your continued support!
Susan King Cope, NAMI North Carolina
