Advocates for People with Disabilities: Raise Revenue to Preserve Key Services
July 14, 2009
Jennifer Howell of Lancaster is living proof that Pennsylvania's state budget is more than numbers, line items and political battles. It's about people's day-to-day lives.
Howell holds a degree in psychology and works with high school students preparing to move into the real world. She also utilizes attendant care services and other state-funded programs designed to help Pennsylvanians with disabilities live independently.
Those services could be on the chopping block as lawmakers work to close a multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall.
Howell joined dozens of other disability advocates for a State Capitol rally today to tell lawmakers the time has come to resolve the state budget by raising additional revenues and tapping budget reserves rather than relying on deep cuts to state services that Pennsylvanians rely on.
"I am not looking for pity, nor am I looking for someone to take care of me," Howell said. "I am looking for the ability to continue to receive the supports that I need to care for myself and be a productive citizen of my community. The other alternative is that I and thousands of others like me will be forced into nursing facilities and become totally dependent on the state.
"I am urging and fully expecting legislators to look beyond labels, see people, and make the fiscally responsible decision to vote no on a budget with deep service cuts."
Jennifer Howell of Lancaster discusses the important role of the state's attendant care program in her life.
Today's rally was organized by Better Choices for Pennsylvania, a coalition of groups committed to preserving essential public services by taking a balanced approach to closing the budget shortfall. Additional events are planned for Wednesday and Thursday.
Participants addressed lawmakers who oppose raising new tax revenue or using reserves like the Rainy Day Fund to balance the budget. The impact of resolving the budget by cuts alone would be felt by every Pennsylvanian, but especially children, seniors, people with disabilities, out-of-work Pennsylvanians and others struggling to keep their homes and health care during this recession.
Lynn Cooper, Deputy Director of the Pennsylvania Community Providers Association, said cuts to services for vulnerable Pennsylvanians will not save the state money.
"When people have no access to care, the implications are wide - emergency rooms, child welfare services, and the judicial system will see increased demand and homelessness will increase," Cooper said.
Cuts also contribute to job losses, further eroding the economic stability of local communities, Cooper said.
Lynn Cooper, Deputy Director of the Pennsylvania Community Providers Association, listens as Emilio Pacheco of Vision for Equality discusses the need for the state to raise new revenue.
People with disabilities and other advocates said Pennsylvanians are willing to pay more to preserve vital services that they and their families rely on.
"I know that times are tough and money is scarce," said Vini Portzline, who receives in-home assistance 27 hours a week through the state's attendant care program. "But I also know that the answer is not to cut critical programs. No one likes to pay taxes, but the alternative is much worse. If I need to pay a little bit more in taxes so that these programs continue, then I'm willing to do that."
Several advocates joined in chants of "Keep us at home," and "Save our services" with the 75 people gathered for the rally in the Capitol's East Wing Rotunda. The crowd also heard a performance by Johnny Crescendo, a disability civil rights singer/songwriter from Bensalem, Pa.
Johnny Crescendo, a disability civil rights singer/songwriter, plays a song about people with disabilities living independently for the crowd gathered at the Capitol rally.
Sharon Ward, Director of the nonpartisan Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, said the state must take responsibility for resolving its multi-billion dollar shortfall, rather than passing the cost on to others.
"As legislators work to reach agreement on a budget deal in the most difficult economy in a generation, we urge them to make the better choice for Pennsylvania," Ward said. "It is a better choice to fully fund the support system that Pennsylvanians with disabilities rely on every single day to live full and productive lives."
Better Choices for Pennsylvania is a coalition of groups committed to taking a balanced approach to resolving the state budget shortfall - one that raises revenue and uses budget reserves in addition to making cuts to discretionary programs. The coalition's goal is to stop counterproductive budget cuts, preserve essential services that families rely on and protect our future economic growth.
