Division for Church in Society God Loves Society
A Sociological Explanation of church and Society
News
Forwarded by Church in Society member and advocate Nancy Adkins
As you know, 45 million Americans have no health care coverage, including more than eight million children. The involvement of faith communities underscores the moral and ethical dimensions of this growing problem and highlights the imperative to respond. We cannot afford to
remain silent. Speak up for an America where everyone has health care coverage!
The National Interfaith Advisory Board appreciates your commitment to Cover the Uninsured Week. This week, we are pleased to announce that the Jewish, Christian and Muslim Action Kits and additional materials for the faith community are available online!
These following materials can be downloaded at
http://www.covertheuninsuredweek.org/interfaith www.CoverTheUninsuredWeek.org/interfaith:
* The Action Kit for Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith communities -- for use in the weeks leading up to, during and after Cover the Uninsured Week. The Action Kits include action steps, group discussion resources, prayers, sermon resources and bulletin insert/flier attachments.
* National Interfaith Advisory Board Letter -- describes the critical role of the interfaith community.
* Action Steps -- suggests ways the faith community can become involved in Cover the Uninsured Week.
* The Call to Care -- can be used as a responsive reading or to raise awareness and gain support for people who are uninsured. The Call to Care may also be used at a prayer breakfast, in newsletters or bulletins, or posted in a gathering place.
These materials can be viewed and downloaded at
<http://www.covertheuninsuredweek.org/interfaith> www.CoverTheUninsuredWeek.org/interfaith.
Additional Cover the Uninsured Week materials are available at
www.CoverTheUninsuredWeek.org/materials.
We also encourage you to visit and use the Cover the Uninsured Week Event Planning Center, an interactive resource for anyone planning a Cover the Uninsured Week, event at
<http://plan.CoverTheUninsuredWeek.org> http://plan.CoverTheUninsuredWeek.org .
For more information, call (202)572-2848.
In faith and friendship,
The Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner
National Interfaith Advisory Board, Chair
Cover the Uninsured Week 2005 is supported by:
<http://www.ncccusa.org>
CHURCH AND SOCIETY -- NWOS-ELCA
FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND INTEREST
*********************************
HungerNetOhio #2.6.05: April 12th Rally for Ohio's Future
Email conversations about ending hunger in Ohio
ON April 4, 2005
TO Advocates for reducing hunger
FROM Hunger Network in Ohio
ABOUT Ohio Statehouse gathering for fair, equitable taxation and against balancing the budget on the backs of the poorest Ohioans
SHORT CUT: For those who insist, "JUST TELL ME WHAT TO DO!"
JOIN THE RALLY/LOBBY DAY AT THE OHIO STATEHOUSE ON APRIL 12 AT 11:30 A.M
TO DEMAND THAT CRITICAL HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL FUNDING BE MAINTAINED IN OHIO'S NEXT BUDGET. EMPHASIZE THAT STABLE REVENUES CREATED BY AN EQUITABLE, PROGRESSIVE TAX SYSTEM IS THE ANSWER TO BALANCING OHIO'S BUDGET--NOT CUTTING VITAL SERVICES TO OHIO'S MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS. SUPPORT HEALTH CARE FOR LOW INCOME WORKING PARENTS, ADULT MEDICAID VISION AND DENTAL CARE, DISABILITY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICES, PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR POLICE, FIRE, AND LIBRARIES.
LONG SUIT: For those who plead: "GIVE ME MORE DETAILS"
A State budget for the next two years is about to be decided and it has generated a whole lot of politicin' across Ohio these days. Look in one part of the State and there Governor Taft touting his budget. Look in another and you'll notice gaggles of elected officials, some supporting and others challenging the governor--where he expects to get the money and what he's cutting to achieve a balanced budget. Committees from both congressional houses are busy holding hearings to iron out their own positions. Meanwhile, lobbyist of every stripe are contradicting each others' causes and pushing their own.
BACKGROUND: Questions about the state of the state budget abound, Here are a few:
. Should we reduce a half-cent from the penny added two years ago to the sales tax? Why not keep it as is?
. Is the Governor's idea about changing the way businesses are taxed sound? Will this be fair? Effective in generating new revenues? Encourage new businesses? Why is it stirring up so much controversy?
. What about his proposal to cut personal income taxes? Sound good? Who benefit's most and who is ultimately penalized?
. And there's the constant haggling over Medicaid. Should critical support for the poorest among us be reduced? Why are the recommendations of the Ohio
Commission to Reform Medicaid being ignored?
RECOMMENDATIONS
Amid the philosophical, economic, and political wrangling, a coalition of 370 health, human services, primary and secondary education and higher education organizations have called upon the Governor and Ohio Legislators to protect Ohio's most vulnerable citizens by restoring or adequately funding vital services through a responsible budget that has - as its primary priority
- to meet basic human needs and provide sufficient funds to invest in Ohio's future.
The Campaign SUPPORTS the following provisions:
+ Increased eligibility for preschool to 200% of the federal poverty level.
+ Using 2003 data for market rate reimbursement schedule.
+ Increased eligibility for child care from 150% to 185% of poverty
+ Expansion of all-day kindergarten in 52 new districts
(Local Government)
The Campaign OPPOSES the following provision:
Cuts to local governments of $112 million in '06 and $125 million in '07. This funding supports fire and police protection, libraries and many health and human service programs at the county, city and township level.
(Economic Security and Safety)
The Campaign OPPOSES the following provisions:
+ Refusal to remove the cap and release reserve funding from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to provide more affordable housing opportunities
+ The elimination of the displaced homemaker program that has served 27,000 women since its inception
The Campaign SUPPORTS the following provisions:
+ Funding for the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food banks to serve 2.7 million low-income households
+ Increase of 10% in Ohio Works First cash grants to families
+ TANF demonstration projects to increase opportunities for self-sufficiency
+ Funding for the Kinship Care Guardianship program that will support 3,000 children in kinship households
(Tax Reform)
The Campaign encourages Ohio's Governor and General Assembly to adopt a fair, progressive, diversified system of taxation that eliminates Ohio's structural deficit and provides stable revenues sufficient to fund government services and invest in Ohio's future.
+ The Governor's tax reform package gives the 1% of Ohioans with average annual incomes of $643,000 a tax cut of $460 million.
+ The Governor's tax reform package will likely be a tax increase for Ohioans working at low-wage and minimum wage jobs.
+ The Governor's tax reform package, once fully implemented, results in a $2 billion cut in funding for needed services - more than the state spends for the Departments of Aging, Drug and Alcohol Services, Mental Health, Natural Resources, MRDD, and Corrections combined.
+ The Governor's corporate tax reform proposal actually raises less money than the current system. Any corporate tax reform should maintain current levels of revenue and should restore a balance between the burden borne by individuals and businesses.
+ The Campaign supports tax reform that provides sufficient resources to restore the above cuts and that provides funding for programs necessary to invest in Ohio's future.
ACTION
Come to the Ohio Statehouse, West Plaza in Columbus on TUESDAY, APRIL 12; 11:30 a.m. Stand with Ohio's Most Vulnerable Citizens -Children, Seniors, Persons with Disabilities and Working Poor Families & Individuals--many of whom will be attending. Speak up for budgetary justice by scheduling appointments with your legislators to tell them about your concerns about these issues.
In coming together with your neighbors from across the state, you will demonstrate support for the poorest Ohioans through the breadth of your numbers, strength of your voices, and, more, the power of the message you will deliver to legislators that day.
TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE
Buses will be available at no cost from all areas of the state for the rally. Bus coordinators from the different regions are taking reservations. The local contact information for bus reservations and rally are as follows:
. Akron area: Tom Alio - (330) 535-2787, tallio@aol.com
. Athens/Logan: 740-592-6601 gina@hapcap.org . Canton area: Rick Walker - (330) 744-8451 ext. 327, rwalker@youngstowndiocese.org . Cincinnati area: Cindy Harper - 513-762-7255 cindy.harper@uwgc.org.
. Cleveland area: Organize! Ohio office - (216) 431-6070, lbresler@organizeohio.org
. Columbus area: Cathy Levine - (614) 253-4340 clevine@uhcanohio.org
. Dayton area: Teresa Pfaff-Amesse - (937) 395-0937, ruby@megapathdsl.net
. Erie, Huron, Lorain, Seneca and Sandusky: Jennifer Dodge-440-960-7187
edirector@centurytel.net . Lima, Emily Stimmel- 419-222-7946 emilys_westohiofoodbank@hotmail.com . Medina: Debra Radecky- 330-723-9514. . Pike County/Piketon: Pam Parker: 740-289-2371 pamela@pikecac.org
. Toledo Ohio: Karen Krause - (419) 475-8380,
KKrause@accesstoledo.com
. Youngstown area: Debra Nebel - (800) 634-4442 ext 19
PRIMARY REFERENCES AND LINKS:
The Campaign to Protect Ohio's Future; 614.222.6555; www.protectohio.org Center for Community Solutions, <jcorlett@communitysolutions.com> Organize Ohio! lbresler@organizeohio.org *** Thank you. Bob Erickson, Director, Hunger Network in Ohio 82 East 16th Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43201 614.424.6203 (Phone) 614.262.7004 (Fax) www.hungernetworkinohio.org (Website)
info@hungernetworkinohio.org (email)
Subject: PROTECT THE PRECARIOUS!
Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 17:51:47 EST
HungerNetOhio #2.5.05: "Impact the Federal Budget"
Email conversations about eradicating hunger by changing conditions causing poverty
ON March 23, 2005
TO Advocates for reducing hunger
FROM Hunger Network in Ohio
ABOUT Follow-up efforts to maintain Medicaid and other critical human
services
SHORT CUT: For those who insist, "JUST TELL ME WHAT TO DO!"
CALL1.800.205-OHIO (6446)--A JOINT OHIO OFFICE FOR BOTH SEN. DEWINE AND VOINOVICH. THANK THEM FOR THEIR RECENT EFFORTS TO SUPPORT AMENDMENTS TO SENATE BUDGET RESOLUTION (S.Con.Res.18).
TO SEN. DEWINE, THANK HIM FOR HIS SUPPORT TOWARD THE SUCCESSFUL THE SMITH-BINGAMAN AMENDMENT TO STRIKE CUTS TO MEDICAID.
TO SEN. VOINOVICH, THANK HIM FOR HIS EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE FAILED FEINGOLD-CHAFEE "PAY AS YOU GO" AMENDMENT TO HOLD NEW TAX CUTS TO THE SAME LIMITS NOW APPLIED TO NEW SPENDING.
TO BOTH SENATORS (AS WELL AS YOUR PARTICULAR DISTRICT MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES), URGE THEM TO OPPOSE A FINAL BUDGET RESOLUTION THAT INCLUDES ANY CUTS TO LOW-INCOME PROGRAMS.
LONG SUIT: For those who plead: "GIVE ME MORE DETAILS"
BACKGROUND: Ups and Downs Bombarded by calls from advocates maintaining federal Medicaid funding for marginalized Americans, the Senate on March 17th voted 52-48 to pass an amendment by Senators Smith (R-OR) and Bingaman (D-NM) to prevent proposed cuts from the Senate Budget. This amendment removes language requiring the Finance Committee to cut $15 billion from the Medicaid program. The amendment protects Medicaid from cuts this year and establishes a bipartisan commission
to study the program.
Thanks to especially due to Senator Dewine who broke ranks with his party colleagues to support this amendment which was promoted last week by HungerNetOhio (#2.4.05). Although Sen. Voinovich voted for the second amendment we advocated,
it was narrowly was defeated. Cosponsored by Senators Feingold (D-WI) and Chafee (R-RI), the "PAY AS YOU GO' amendment would have required all increases in entitlement spending or tax cuts to be "revenue neutral"--in other words, they would be offset in other areas of the budget. Yet we want to commend Sen. Voinovich for his favorable vote and courageous stand on this issue.
Later that day the full House and Senate passed their separate FY 2006 Budget. The Senate budget resolution (S.Con.Res.18) passed 51 to 49 with our two senators (for differing reasons) joining with Republican Senators Snowe and Chafe, Independent Jeffords, and the entire Democratic minority in voting no. The Senate also accepted a Kennedy (D-MA) amendment adding $5.5 billion
for education while reducing the size of the tax cuts. The House Budget Resolution (H.Con.Res.95) passed by a vote of 218 to
214. In contrast to the senate, the House version includes a $20 billion, 5-year cut to Medicaid, so some Medicaid cuts could be adopted in the House-Senate conference committee.
Both senate and house budgets total about $2.6 trillion for 2006.
NEXT STEPS: Congressional Schedule
House and Senate leaders will now meet to resolve differences between the two resolutions. The compromise resolution will then be presented to the full House and Senate. Congress theoretically must approve the final budget resolution by April 15, but many expect the budget debate to last throughout April. Once a joint resolution is passed, committees will act to conform 2006 spending to the budget and to any budget reconciliation instructions. Appropriations committees will craft 2006 spending bills for annually funded
programs, and authorizing committees will change rules of mandatory programs.
FOLLOW-UP CONTACTS: Now is the time to act!
Between now and mid-April, House and Senate leaders will attempt to develop a single compromise resolution. Your efforts are still needed to influence negotiations on that final resolution. The main themes to communicate to your senators and representatives are:
Thank Sen. DeWine for his support of the Smith-Bingaman amendment
to strike cuts to Medicaid and Sen. Voinovich for his efforts, although unsuccessful, to pass the "PAY AS YOU GO" amendment. Ask that they work to make sure that Medicaid cuts are left out of the final budget resolution.
Encourage them to Protect children, the elderly, people with disabilities and families in the final budget resolution by opposing cuts in
Medicaid, nutrition, education, and other vital services.
Caution them to eliminate--or at least minimize--cuts in mandatory spending imposed on the Agriculture Committees, especially if they force cuts to the Food Stamp Program and other nutrition programs.
• Urge both our senators and your particular representatives to weigh in with congressional leaders in opposition to a final budget resolution that includes any cuts to low-income programs.
MORE IDEAS: Going a "second mile" Here are other actions you can take to stop cuts to health, education, nutrition, and other programs and instead build support for policies that move families out of poverty:
1. Schedule face-to-face meetings with representatives and senators and raise this issue at town hall meetings and other public forums during the March recess now until April 4. Following last week™ votes on the separate House and Senate budget resolutions, the March recess will be a great chance shape what we want the final budget resolution to look like.
2. Send emails to your senators and representatives, and get others to do the same. In 30 seconds you can send an email on Medicaid and other budget cuts
3. Write letters to the editor of your local newsletters and encourage lots of calls to legislators' offices from those who share your
convictions. Be sure to include your contact information and, if your letter is published, send a copy to your congressional offices. Further, consider teaming up with other advocates and scheduling a meeting with your local editorial board to present information about the budget and what it could mean for your community
REMEMBER that everything we do during this recess lays the groundwork for the final budget resolution! You may contact the Hunger Network in Ohio for assistance identifying your representatives, hooking up with other advocates, obtaining additional information, etc.)
CONTACT INFO
You may also reach the state receptionist for both senators by calling 1.800.205-OHIO (6446).
You may call long distance to Sen. DeWine's Washington staff 202.224.2315 and Voinovich's Washington staff at 202.224.3353.
Faxing or emailing it to their Washington Offices: (DeWine:
(fax)202.224.6519, (email)<senator_dewine@dewine.senate.gov>;
Voinovich (fax) 202.228.1382),
(email)<senator_voinovich@voinovich.senate.gov>
PRIMARY REFERENCES AND LINKS:
Meredith Dodson: RESULTS," <dodson@results.org>
John Corlett: Center for Community Solutions,
<jcorlett@communitysolutions.com>
Rachel Klein: Families USA, <info@familiesusa.org>
Czarna Biton: Community Catalyst, <Biton@communitycatalyst.org>
TO Advocates for reducing hunger
FROM Hunger Network in Ohio
ABOUT Ohio Statehouse gathering for fair, equitable taxation and against balancing the budget on the backs of the poorest Ohioans
SHORT CUT: For those who insist, "JUST TELL ME WHAT TO DO!"
JOIN THE RALLY/LOBBY DAY AT THE OHIO STATEHOUSE ON APRIL 12 AT 11:30
A.M TO DEMAND THAT CRITICAL HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL FUNDING `BE MAINTAINED IN OHIO'S NEXT BUDGET. EMPHASIZE THAT STABLE REVENUES CREATED BY AN EQUITABLE, PROGRESSIVE TAX SYSTEM IS THE ANSWER TO BALANCING OHIO'S BUDGET--NOT CUTTING VITAL SERVICES TO OHIO'S MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS. SUPPORT HEALTH CARE FOR LOW INCOME WORKING PARENTS, ADULT MEDICAID VISION AND DENTAL CARE, DISABILITY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICES, PUBLIC
EDUCATION FUNDING, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR POLICE, FIRE, AND LIBRARIES.
LONG SUIT: For those who plead: "GIVE ME MORE DETAILS"
A State budget for the next two years is about to be decided and it has generated a whole lot of politicin' across Ohio these days. Look in one part of the State and there Governor Taft touting his budget. Look in another and you'll notice gaggles of elected officials, some supporting and others challenging the governor--where he expects to get the money and what he's cutting to achieve a balanced budget. Committees from both congressional houses are busy holding hearings to iron out their own positions. Meanwhile,
lobbyist of every stripe are contradicting each others' causes and pushing their own.
BACKGROUND: Questions about the state of the state budget abound, Here are a few:
- Should we reduce a
half-cent from the penny added two years ago to the sales tax? Why not
keep it as is? - Is the Governor's
idea about changing the way businesses are taxed sound? - Will this be fair?
Effective in generating new revenues? Encourage new businesses? Why is
it stirring up so much controversy? - What about his
proposal to cut personal income taxes? Sound good? - Who benefit's most and
who is ultimately penalized? And there's the
constant haggling over Medicaid. Should critical support for the poorest
among us be reduced? Why are the recommendations of the Ohio Commission to Reform
Medicaid being ignored?
RECOMMENDATIONS
Amid the philosophical, economic, and political wrangling, a coalition of 370 health, human services, primary and secondary education and higher education organizations have called upon the Governor and Ohio Legislators to protect Ohio's most vulnerable citizens by restoring or adequately funding vital services through a responsible budget that has - as its primary priority - to meet basic human needs and provide sufficient funds to invest in Ohio's future.
The Campaign SUPPORTS the following provisions:
+ Increased eligibility for preschool to 200% of the federal poverty level.
+ Using 2003 data for market rate reimbursement schedule.
+ Increased eligibility for child care from 150% to 185% of poverty
+ Expansion of all-day kindergarten in 52 new districts
(Local Government)
The Campaign OPPOSES the following provision:
Cuts to local governments of $112 million in 06 and $125 million in 07. This funding supports fire and police protection, libraries and many health and human service programs at the county, city and township level.
(Economic Security and Safety)
The Campaign OPPOSES the following provisions:
+ Refusal to remove the cap and release reserve funding from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to provide more affordable housing opportunities
+ The elimination of the displaced homemaker program that has served 27,000 women since its inception
The Campaign SUPPORTS the following provisions:
+ Funding for the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food banks to serve 2.7 million low-income households
+ Increase of 10% in Ohio Works First cash grants to families
+ TANF demonstration projects to increase opportunities for self-sufficiency
+ Funding for the Kinship Care Guardianship program that will support 3,000 children in kinship households
(Tax Reform)
The Campaign encourages Ohio's Governor and General Assembly to adopt a fair, progressive, diversified system of taxation that eliminates Ohio's structural deficit and provides stable revenues sufficient to fund government services
and invest in Ohio's future.
+ The Governor's tax reform package gives the 1% of Ohioans with average annual incomes of $643,000 a tax cut of $460 million.
+ The Governor's tax reform package will likely be a tax increase for Ohioans working at low-wage and minimum wage jobs.
+ The Governor's tax reform package, once fully implemented, results in a $2 billion cut in funding for needed services – more than the state spends for the Departments of Aging, Drug and Alcohol Services, Mental Health, Natural Resources, MRDD, and Corrections combined.
+ The Governor's corporate tax reform proposal actually raises less money than the current system. Any corporate tax reform should maintain current levels of revenue and should restore a balance between the burden borne by individuals and businesses.
+ The Campaign supports tax reform that provides sufficient resources to restore the above cuts and that provides funding for programs necessary to invest in Ohio's future.
ACTION
Come to the Ohio Statehouse, West Plaza in Columbus on TUESDAY, APRIL 12; 11:30 a.m. Stand with Ohio’s Most Vulnerable Citizens -Children, Seniors, Persons with Disabilities and Working Poor Families & Individuals--many of whom will be attending. Speak up for budgetary justice by scheduling appointments with your legislators to tell them about your concerns about these issues.
In coming together with your neighbors from across the state, you will demonstrate support for the poorest Ohioans through the breadth of your numbers, strength of your voices, and, more, the power of the message you will deliver to legislators that day.
TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE
Buses will be available at no cost from all areas of the state for the rally. Bus coordinators from the different regions are taking reservations. The local contact information for bus reservations and rally are as follows:
Akron area: Tom Alio – (330) 535-2787, tallio@aol.com
Athens/Logan: 740-592-6601 gina@hapcap.org
rwalker@youngstowndiocese.org
cindy.harper@uwgc.org.
Cleveland area: Organize! Ohio office – (216) 431-6070, lbresler@organizeohio.org
Columbus area: Cathy Levine – (614) 253-4340 clevine@uhcanohio.org
Dayton area: Teresa Pfaff-Amesse – (937) 395-0937, ruby@megapathdsl.net
• Erie, Huron, Lorain, Seneca and Sandusky: Jennifer Dodge-440-960-7187
edirector@centurytel.net
emilys_westohiofoodbank@hotmail.com
pamela@pikecac.org
Toledo Ohio: Karen Krause “ (419) 475-8380, KKrause@accesstoledo.com
Youngstown area: Debra Nebel “ (800) 634-4442 ext 19
PRIMARY REFERENCES AND LINKS:
The Campaign to Protect Ohio™ Future; 614.222.6555;
www.protectohio.org
jcorlett@communitysolutions.com
lbresler@organizeohio.org
www.hungernetworkinohio.org (Website)
info@hungernetworkinohio.org