MEDC 2010 Position on Supporting the Governor’s Restoration

MEDC 2010 Position on Supporting the Governor’s Restorations to the 2010 Supplemental Budget

Background

The initial 2010 Supplemental Budget presented by the Governor required her by law to present a balanced budget without any new revenues.  Upon its presentation in December, she called it unjust and has subsequently in January presented restorations to it based upon anticipated federal revenues, some limited program cuts and unspecified revenue enhancements.  Please refer to the back for the list of the restorations as presented by the Governor.

Specific Issue

People of Color are over represented in lower socio-economic groups due to variety of reasons and are thus over represented as program participants in most State supported health and human service programs. Budget cuts to any of these programs in order to balance the state budget would disproportionately impact the low-income and negatively affect all participations many of whom are people of color.

MEDC’s Requested Action/Legislative Request

Strongly support and testify in support of restoring the attached list of 2010 Budget restorations as identified by the Governor, plus those additionally identified by the MEDC Membership.