Asian and Pacific Islander Communities Reject Unacceptable Cuts to Services
Thursday, 06. 18. 2009 – Category: Strengthening the Safety Net
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 16th, 2009
Contact: Hala Masri (213) 241-0215
Asian and Pacific Islander Communities Reject Unacceptable Cuts to Services
Governor Slates Numerous Programs for Elimination and Dismisses Revenue-Raising Solutions
Los Angeles—Members of Asian and Pacific Islander communities gathered today to demand budget solutions for the state’s $24.3 billion deficit and reject recent proposals to slash California’s most critical services. Governor Schwarzenegger plans to eliminate or drastically reduce safety net programs, while failing to recognize that the escalating state budget deficit is in desperate need of increased revenue.
“Governor Schwarzenegger proposes to completely eliminate programs, which provide health services to children and living and food assistance to families and immigrant seniors,” explains Farhana Shahid, Lead Community Advocate for CHAI with the South Asian Network. “Without these services, Asians and Pacific Islanders face costly visits to the emergency room, the possibility of going hungry and the threat of homelessness.”
“The Governor’s suggested cuts would dismantle the state’s safety net services,” says Stella Kim, Health Project Coordinator with the Korean Resource Center. “California cannot afford to abandon its residents at a time when families are struggling simply to make ends meet.”
Since May 14th, the Governor has released numerous proposed budget cuts that would severely impact Asian and Pacific Islander families. Specifically, he has recommended the elimination of basic assistance to immigrant seniors and health services to millions of Californians, as well as the reduction of counseling, monitoring and drug assistance to the HIV/AIDS community.
“By slashing critical services, California would lose billions of dollars in federal funding,” explains Hala Masri, State Policy Advocate with the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. “Lawmakers must fully utilize federal dollars and raise revenue to resolve our budget crisis, care for our children and seniors, and preserve our values as a state.”
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Tags: Health, Safety Net, State Budget
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