State Budget Update

I always look forward to news from Raleigh which Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange) sends in her e-news regularly. She doesn't mince words and we're able to get an understanding of how legislative decisions really impact us across the state. Her update on Thursday offered a rather bleak view of what's in store based on the Senate passing their version of HB 200 on Appropriations which is a breakdown of proposed spending for the next two years. Rep. Insko's update predicted the House would vote to ratify the bill by week's end, which did happen on Saturday, June 4th.

She reported, "The state Senate has passed a damaging budget that appears poised to pass the House before the end of the week. I believe the Governor will veto the bill – as I have been telling you; but, whether House Democrats will be able to sustain her veto is now in question. Five House Democrats will vote for the bill - as they did for the House proposal that was passed a few weeks ago.

"Until recently, it was my understanding and my belief that these would vote to sustain the Governor’s veto. As a result of negotiations, these five legislators gained some concessions, so the support of the Governor’s veto is now in doubt. We need just two of these legislators to change their minds, and I am still hopeful that they will because if this budget goes into effect, the damage will take years to correct.

"I have done my best to keep the most harmful aspects of this budget from going into place, but the majority appears determined to pursue a course of action that will mean thousands of layoffs, fewer preschool services, less access to healthcare and less protection for the environment."

Cuts that impact those of us concerned about the quality of care and mental health services in North Carolina will happen through a $2 billion cut in Medicaid, the elimination of the state's Health and Wellness Trust Fund and a cut to Education, which includes impacts to special education services as 2,245 teaching assistants positions will be cut across the state. That translates to a financial loss of about $3.4 million to our Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and $2.1 million in budget cuts to our Orange County Schools districts. This includes a drastic cut to early child hood programs resulting in the closing of local partnerships and elimination of critical education and health programs for children identified from age birth to five as being at-risk.

We can hope that Governor Bev Perdue will veto this bill, however, House democrats might not be able to sustain the veto. The five democrats who voted in favor of HB 200 will put the Governor's veto in jeopardy. Rep. Insko says we need just two of these five to be swayed to support the veto. She fears if this bill goes into effect it will take the State of North Carolina many years to recover from the damage.

How can you help? Contact each of the five democrats (Rep. William Brisson, Rep. James Crawford, Rep. Dewey Hill, Rep. Bill Owens and Rep. Timothy Spear) who voted in support of HB 200, as well as the republican representatives and let them know of your disappointment. Encourage them to support the Governor's veto so our state is not again thrown into a downward spiral that will take years to correct. Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse sufferers have had a decade of roller coaster rides when it comes to their treatment services being adequately funded - and so has education and other vital areas that effect the quality of life in NC. Their email addresses and other contact info can be located at http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/members/memberList.pl?sChamber=House.

Time is running out, so please don't hesitate in letting them hear from you.

Sincerely,

Julie J. Bailey

Interim Executive Director

MHA of the Triangle