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February 12, 2007

A Big, Bad Budget
President Bush released his budget last week, and like past budgets this one isn't good for children and families. Funding for many of the programs our children need in order to survive have either been cut or haven't been raised enough to keep up with inflation (which, in reality, constitutes a cut).

Bush's budget would also make his tax cuts, which primarily benefit the rich and are responsible for much of this country's debt, permanent. Meanwhile, Bush has called for big increases in the Pentagon's budget - above and beyond the billions he wants for the War in Iraq.

What you can do:

• Read a thorough review of the budget by Robert Greenstein of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities here: http://www.cbpp.org/2-5-07bud.htm
• Contact your congressional delegation and ask them, using the talking points below, to amend the president's budget.
• Email Senator Jeff Bingaman at senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov
• Email Senator Pete Domenici via a form at http://www.domenici.senate.gov
• Email Rep. Steve Pearce (Dist. 2) via a form at http://www.pearce.house.gov
• Email Rep. Tom Udall (Dist. 3) via a form at http://www.tomudall.house.gov
• Email Rep. Heather Wilson (Dist. 1) via a form at http://www.wilson.house.gov
  

Budget talking points

• Making Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy would increase the income disparity that's been steadily growing under his watch.
• There is no evidence to support his belief that his tax cuts have helped the economy.
• The president's budget makes drastic and unconscionable cuts to programs the benefit children, the elderly and low-income workers.
• Among the many programs slated for funding cuts are Head Start, health care for children, assistance to the elderly so they can pay their heating bills, and childcare assistance so low-income parents can work.
• And it would terminate a program that gives seniors a bag of foodstuffs each month to help keep them from going hungry.
• The president's claim that the budget will be balanced in 2012 only works on paper.
  

Up Close and Personal
While contacting your elected officials can give you a feeling of empowerment, there's nothing like being a part of a living, breathing movement where a collection of people from all walks of life rally together for the common good. Doesn't that just make you want to jump up and rush outside to join some march or rally?

Lucky for you, you can! Join in the Family Justice Campaign Lobby Day in capital city on Friday. The campaign is concerned about a number of issues including Real ID, addressing racial profiling, regulating payday lenders, and our Race Matters legislation. You can show up early for some briefing and training tips, join in a short march, or just pop in for the rally. Just be sure to arrive early, as parking near the Roundhouse is scarce.

Save the date:

• Family Justice Campaign Lobby Day is Friday, Feb. 16 at the state Capitol in Santa Fe. Pre-rally festivities begin at the First Christian Church of Santa Fe at 645 Webber St. (just south of the Capitol).
• Briefing of bills and memorials: 9am
• Training on advocacy techniques: 9:30-10:45am
• Walk from the church on Webber to the Roundhouse: 10:45
• Rally at the Roundhouse: 11am
• That great feeling of solidarity: The moment you show up!
  

Race Matters in Indiana Too
Speaking of solidarity, it came to our attention last week that the Indiana state Legislature is considering legislation that would establish a commission to address disparities in overall well-being between black and white youth. Sound familiar? Yep, it very nearly mirrors the legislation our Race Matters Coalition has gotten rolling at the Roundhouse.

You can read a briefing by the Kaiser Foundation on the Indiana legislation here: http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=42735

For some more interesting stats and info on racial disparities, check out the Race Matters Consortium here: http://www.racemattersconsortium.org/

The Working Families Tax Credit Call
We know, we know. We asked you to do this last week (and the week before). Still, we're shamelessly asking you again because the governor apparently hasn't gotten the message yet.

When you call, thank the governor for proposing the Working Families Tax Credit and ask him to make sure the credit includes ALL working families, especially low-income working families. The governor's office can be reached at (505) 476-2200.

As always, please be polite and courteous when calling.

Do it for Your Mother
The recent report on global warming seems to finally have focused the public's attention on the planet's most pressing issue. Hopefully, people are finally starting to think about giving Mother Nature the respect she deserves. Nothing much will change, of course, unless we act on those thoughts. And the National Day of Climate Action will provide a great opportunity.

Hundreds of rallies and events are scheduled for all across the country on April 14. The organizers of this event hope to have gatherings in every state. A couple of events are scheduled for the Land of Enchantment, but there could be a whole lot more (including something in Albuquerque).

If you'd like to organize your own event, or just find out about others, check out the Step It Up 2007 website here: http://events.stepitup2007.org/