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ALABAMA: "In addition, funding for non-state agencies will be eliminated. This includes ... Parkinson Association" Guest Editorial - from the desk of Rep. Lea Fite 09-19-2003 The Bottom Line The people have spoken and have rebuffed Gov. Riley’s tax plan that would have provided the state with $1.2 billion in additional revenue; however, the vote rejecting the proposal does not diminish the fact that the state continues to face a severe financial crisis. There has been a lot of speculation about the actual amount of shortfall for the Fiscal Year 2004 budget. The harsh reality is there is a budget deficit of more than $600 million for 2004. Although Alabama received almost $200 million in one-time federal money for assistance during this economic downturn, the state must still cut over $400 million in order to fulfill Constitutional requirements to balance the budget. These cuts are going to come at a substantial cost to all Alabamians and will be particularly hard on children and senior adults — those in our society who can least care for themselves. The best way to understand the significance of such cuts is to look at their impact. SNIP In addition, funding for non-state agencies will be eliminated. This includes Children’s Hospital, Parkinson Association, AIDS Alabama, Prevent Child Abuse Alabama, Kidney Foundation, and Coalition Against Domestic Violence. These are all good and worthwhile projects that deserve state funding. This will be the most difficult special session in decades. There are many deserving programs and too few dollars to provide the basic services of government. Cutting already under funded state agencies will be catastrophic. You may not see the effects of these cuts today, but the ramifications will be long term. Education will suffer, jobs will be lost and health care services will decline. The fact of the matter is, that if something does not change, the 2005 budget cuts will be even deeper and more widespread than the slashing the FY ‘04 budget is expected to receive. That is the bottom line. Guest editorial from the desk of Rep. Lea Fite SOURCE: The Jacksonville News http://www.jaxnews.com/opinion/2003/jn-editorials-0919-0-3i19j2706.htm * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn