I feel like just about everyone (well not everyone but I don’t want to talk about the gas drillers & frackers) is meant to lose in someway in this budget. The governor will not, under any circumstance, consider any new taxes. He’s open to suggestions for enforcement on current taxes. [Uh, okay: why aren’t you already doing everything to collect the money the state is owed?]
One of the things that bothers me the most about his budget is the elimination of the general assistance fund. Right now, if you are disabled and a doctor says that you can’t work, you (as a single individual) are able to collect $205/month from welfare. Most of these folks (those deemed permanently disabled by their doctors) are required to apply for disability via the federal government (SSI or SSDI, depending on various factors). If/when approved, the state is reimbursed for the $205 they were paying the individual while their case was determined. Which basically means the actual cost of the program is a lot less than it appears. I also want to add that this process can take several years depending on other variables, and all those folks have is that $205 and foodstamps.
When I first read Corbett’s budget proposal I had to ask a few of my colleagues if he was suggesting what I thought he was suggesting. Because I think it is that implausible and yet, here it is on its way to a slow, painful and poorly planned death.
Right now that $205/month is the only thing separating thousands of people from abject poverty. I suppose for most $205 is a drop in the bucket* but not for those who use that money to cover their housing expenses (clearly in a housing program or subsidized) as well as for transportation, medications, utility bills and super necessary things not covered by foodstamps (e.g. toilet paper, feminine hygiene stuff for the ladies). This is the safety net so many politicians claim is there to help the poor and Corbett (as well the Senate) are planning on eliminating it entirely.
And what I find eternally frustrating is that a lot of the folks that receive these funds are not politically active and don’t/won’t have a voice. I mean, they’re pretty poor so how much influence do they really even have in this ridiculous juggernaut that is 2012 politics?
If you live in Pennsylvania and think this is a terrible idea or think that there are other really terrible ideas in Corbett’s budget, you can find out who your state Congressmen are (1 Rep & 1 Senator) and write or call them (I like writing, I find the phone calls awkward) here.
You can read the article for a more ind-depth look at the politics of it all.
*bucket size variable
