Action Alert: Washington needs a budget that reflects our values

On December 9, 2009, Governor Gregoire released her 2009 supplemental budget. Typically, supplemental budgets make minor corrections to the two year budget passed in the previous legislative session. However, with the state facing a $2.6 billion shortfall, on top of the $9.0 billion shortfall from the year before, Gregoire's budget was anything but "minor".

To close the deficit facing the state, Gregoire offered an all cuts budget that decimates programs for vulnerable families, children, older adults and higher education. More than 70% of Washington's budget is protected against cuts and reductions, leaving only 30% of the budget available for the steep reductions proposed by Gregoire. These reductions include:

• Elimination of Washington's Basic Health Plan which provides 65,000 Washingtonians basic health insurance.
• Reducing eligibility for Apple Health, the state's health insurance program for children in low- and moderate-income households. 16,000 children will lose their coverage under the governor's budget.
• Suspension of all-day kindergarten.
• Elimination of Washington General Assistance Program, the only safety net for people who are unable to work because of a temporary disability.
• Reduction in tuition assistance to more than 12,000 low-income college students.

The governor was right when she said the decisions in her budget are not based on Washington values and do not serve our citizens well. Nor does the governor's budget reflect Jewish values. Deuteronomy states, "If there is a poor man among your brothers… do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted towards your poor brother. Rather be open-handed and freely lend him whatever he needs." As Deuteronomy instructs, now is the time for our leaders and for our community to support a budget that provides more resources for our state, helps the poor and those in need and reflects our values.

Please take a moment to send a message to your elected officials urging them to adopt a budget that includes new revenue and protects services and programs for our most vulnerable.