Coalition Events in 30 Cities Urge Lawmakers to Reject Tax Cut for Wealthy And Invest in Education, Health Care, Other Crucial State Programs During Worst National Budget Crisis Since World War II
April 22, Washington – America needs new jobs, not tax cuts for the wealthy, a coalition of union activists and community groups are saying at events in 30 cities this week in launching a national campaign to expose the state-by-state impact of the Bush administration’s 2004 budget and defeat irresponsible tax cuts. Teachers, farmers, community activists and religious leaders will tell their lawmakers that more tax cuts for the wealthy are the wrong choice for a nation struggling with high unemployment, declining health care and for states crippled by the worst budget crisis in 50 years.
Beginning April 22, the coalition will release state specific reports by the Economic Policy Institute and Institute for America’s Future that detail discretionary funding cuts approved by Congress under the 2004 federal budget resolution. The spending cuts amount to a nine percent cut in federal funding for state agriculture and nutrition programs, an eight percent cut in federal funding for state police and security, a seven percent cut for state natural resources and environmental programs, and millions cut from health care, education and job training, transportation, and low-income support programs in every state in the country.
The federal budget cuts approved by Congress will hit the states especially hard at a time when most are struggling to close huge budget shortfalls and working families are bearing the brunt of the recession. More working families are losing health insurance, their wages are falling and states are unable to create jobs by keeping up with investments in infrastructure spending.
“The budget approved in April makes the situation in the states worse, not better, even as Congress was willing to set aside billions for tax cuts that benefit the wealthy,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. “We can’t allow Congress to push ahead on tax cuts that favor an elite few while working families and our states have to choose between giving up health care, safety programs or education.”
Union activists, US Action, ACORN and the Fair Taxes for All Coalition will lead the events.
When Congress returns in early May, both the House and Senate will make final decisions about the size and content of the tax cut. “The debate on the proposed tax cut is far from over, so we are out telling Congress what workers need to keep their family going and how to help the overall economy. We are asking Congress to put working families’ priorities ahead of unaffordable tax cuts that will not help the economy and instead to invest in programs that will benefit everyone,” said Sweeney.
Contact: Kathy Roeder (202) 637-5018 or Deborah Dion (202) 256-7582
