Federal Cutbacks Hit
Maine Hard
In Maine 178 people died of drug overdoses in
2005, and many of those deaths could have been prevented. For the first time in
Maine’s history, deaths from drug overdoses surpassed the number of people killed in
traffic accidents.
When the federal government cut into state and
local drug enforcement funding, they helped to cut lives short.
“We’ve got a bad problem that is
getting worse,” said Gov. John Baldacci. To hold back the tide from getting worse,
the governor said his budget proposal includes a $640,000 increase in state funding for
the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and drug prosecutors, to make up for a 40 percent drop
in federal money that has historically helped pay for those programs. That’s just one
critical area the governor insists the state cover, because of the inadequate funding from
the Bush administration’s budgets. Because the federal government did not step up to
the plate and help with heating funds to any significant degree, the governor took
independent action and secured money for oil from Venezuela, and he started the KeepME
Warm fuel fund with $5 million from state revenues and donations.
More and more states have to find alternative
sources to help their people. The values embodied in Maine do not reflect the values of
the Bush administration. But, overall, “the state receives about 40 percent of its
funding from the federal government,” said Professor Gabe of UMO.
“In addition to the impact of the
Medicare Part D plan, the federal budget is also negatively impacting Maine in other
areas. The Department of Health and Human Services is projecting a nearly $40 million
reduction in various programs, due to provisions in the “Federal Deficit Reduction
Act of 2005,” said Becky Wyke, commissioner of finance. “Additionally, the
president is again calling for the elimination of all funding for the federal grant that
supports the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. The 2007 federal budget is also proposing the
elimination of several other successful law enforcement programs, in addition to making
deep cuts in health care. All of these federal cuts are being called for in order to pay
for the president’s tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.”
Maine’s supplemental budget proposed in
January uses the projected revenue surplus of about $150 million to pay for needed
programs proposed in the governor’s State of the State address, and to cover some of
the federal budgets cuts.
Year after year the governor has faced drastic
cuts to state funding, because of the Bush administration. On top of which Baldacci
inherited a $1.2 billion revenue shortfall, left behind by the previous administration,
when he came to office. Despite these challenges the governor never raised broad-based
taxes; instead he streamlined state government, balanced the budget every year, and
invested in the people of Maine, working with the Legislature.
As a result, Maine’s per capita debt
levels are lower than the national average by 30 percent.
“Governor Baldacci and the Maine
Legislature have increased state aid to education by tens of millions of dollars and
provided property tax relief to thousands of Maine homeowners. They passed landmark
legislation to create the state’s community college system and establish Dirigo
Health,” said Congressman Tom Allen at a press conference at the state House with
other leading democrats, where the federal budget cuts were outlined.
“This is in contrast to the Bush
administration, which cut student loans, child support enforcement, foster care, and
supplemental security income aid of the elderly and disabled.”
Congressman Tom Allen said a federal spending
package advanced by the House and Senate would make $39 billion in cuts. President
Bush’s proposed budget for the fiscal year starting next Oct. 1st would make an
additional $36 billion in cuts over five years.
“These cuts will affect REAL people. This
is about real people in our communities that could suffer because of these cuts,”
said Congressman Mike Michaud.
“Cutting help for the most vulnerable
people in our country is wrong. Cutting job training and assistance is wrong. Cutting into
heath-care assistance for seniors and veterans is the wrong way to go.”
Then there are the federally mandated programs
that the federal government doesn’t pay for, putting the finical burden on state
budgets. The “no child left behind act” wasn’t fully funded by the Bush
administration and Medicare Part D has cost Maine more than it has helped.
“The president’s request to make his
tax cuts for the wealthy permanent will create permanent, destructive deficits. It will
mortgage our children’s future and undermine American competitiveness in the global
economy. It will cripple our ability to invest in education, health care, clean air and
water, and other priorities that are important to working families,” said Allen.
“While it may not be easy, given the
president’s budget, we will continue to balance our budget here in Maine. We are
fiscally responsible people,” said Sen. Peggy Rotundo.“
Cuts to the nation over five years:
n
$35.9 billion in
Medicare
n $17.2 billion
in Medicaid
n The creation
of private accounts with Social security
n Complete
elimination of Micro-loan program
n Cuts of 9
percent for community-oriented policing services
n Reduces
Veterans’ programs by $10.1 billion
n $2.1 billion
in 42 educational programs
n Cuts to
environmental protection and homeland security
n A direct impact loss on Maine
of $29 million for community development block grants |
