Terrie l.arnold
Begin forwarded message: From: Steven Clark <[email protected]> Date: February 23, 2012 3:12:12 PM CST To: [email protected] Subject: [real-eyes] editorial just posted in KC Star Reply-To: [email protected] I just got this via a tweet and thought I'd share it. One of the many benefits of following the KC Star and others on twitter. kansascity.com Posted on Wed, Feb. 22, 2012 The Star’s editorial | Missouri must help the blind and poor, not punish them You know a state has problems when lawmakers recommend taking money from the blind and the poor to spare colleges and universities from harmful cuts. In Missouri’s case, the problems include hostility toward a governor seen as autocratic on budget matters, and a callousness toward the poor which rears its ugly head all too often. But the core issue is the refusal by Gov. Jay Nixon and legislators to find new sources of revenue for a chronically underfunded state. Whether it be reining in tax credits, collecting taxes on Internet purchases or supporting a higher tobacco tax, Missouri’s leaders refuse to take the tough steps that would lead to long-term fiscal health. Republicans in the Missouri House have vowed to stop Nixon, a Democrat, from balancing his $23.3 billion spending plan with a cut to higher education spending. The governor’s initial radical reduction was $106 million but it’s now down to $66 million. Last week, a House subcommittee recommended making up most of the remaining gap with cuts to social services, including $28 million that the state spends to provide medical care for 3,000 blind Missourians. Those recipients have an income above Missouri’s Medicaid eligibility limit. Also, they receive a monthly payment of about $700 from the Blind Pension Fund. But Missouri’s threshold for adults to obtain Medicare is appallingly low. And a $700 stipend is no substitute for reliable medical care. Other proposed cuts by the subcommittee would affect child care subsidies, prescription drug help for seniors and some services for the developmentally disabled. Nixon is calling for the cuts to be stopped, and they should be. But there are no political points to be scored here. Responsible leaders should have taken steps to avoid being painted into this corner. © 2012 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com To subscribe or to leave the list, or to set other subscription options, go to www.freelists.org/list/real-eyes
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