By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-892418.mp3
Albany, NY – Proposed budget cuts totalling over $2.5 billion will increase racial and ethnic inequalities in New York, according to a new report released today by organizations from across the state. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
The report found that the Executive Budget exacerbates disparities through punishing cuts to critical state programs in education, higher education, health care, human services and criminal justice. "Our report found that in several critical areas, including education, higher education, health care and human services, the spending cuts and deferred spending in the budget would make racial and ethnic disparities worse," said Karen Scharff, Citizen Action Executive Director. "In some areas, like the proposals to regulate health insurance rates and to close prisons and juvenile facilities, the Executive Budget would have a positive impact on racial equity. However, on balance, the budget heavily relies on spending reductions to close the state deficit. The budget makes the wrong choices for communities of color and for our state as a whole."
"This report highlights that while the nation and state are led by accomplished people of color, the overall condition of our communities remains extraordinarily difficult and many find themselves in crisis," said Anne Pope, Director of the Northeastern Region of the New York State Conference of the NAACP. "For example, by the end of the first half of 2009, the 'real' unemployment rate for Black men rose to a shocking 27.2%. In this economic climate, now is the worst time to cut programs like jobs, social services, civil legal services and health care that all too many of our communities need for their survival."
The groups argue Monday's Senate budget resolution compounded the wrong choices in the Executive Budget, particularly with its massive cuts to education. "Adequate funding for the State University of New York is crucial to ensuring access to higher education for students from low and moderate income families, many of whom are disproportionately students of color," said United University Professions (UUP) President Phillip H. Smith. "The proposals to cut $152 million from SUNY and to allow campuses to set their own tuition rates would create serious obstacles to those students who look to SUNY for an affordable college education and their opportunity for a bright future. We urge the Legislature to reject SUNY budget cuts and any differential tuition rates." UUP is the largest higher education local affiliated with NYSUT.
The Policy and Education Fund of New York report, "Race Matters: Impact of the 2010-11 Executive Budget Proposal," said that revenue measures and other steps must be taken to diminish the negative impact on communities of color statewide and in upstate cities in particular. The groups are emphasizing taxing Wall Street to benefit Main Street.
The report is viewable HERE