8-20-09 Stop Cuts in Aid to the Poor (AND Program)

ACTION ALERT

BUDGET CUTS WILL PUSH THOUSANDS MORE INTO HOMELESSNESS
Who will pick up the pieces?

Dear Friends,

On Tuesday, August 18, 2009, Governor Ritter announced he intends to slash $7.1 million in financial assistance to the poor and disabled (Aid to Needy Disabled Program: AND) eliminating this monthly program of support. Balancing the budget on the backs of our most disadvantaged citizens is not the answer. This step will certainly push thousands more into homelessness without delay. And, relying on non-profits and the private sector to pick up the pieces is a mistake in judgment that will cost us dearly in corrective dollars and in lost human capital.

Tell the Governor and the Colorado General Assembly’s Joint Budget Committee – NO! (Their contact information follows this message.) Click here to download the Fact Sheet (10/14/09).

Reducing this monthly financial assistance to poor individuals, from $200 to nothing, will threaten the very survival of thousands of our neighbors. These are people that Colorado state officials have already determined to be both needy and disabled.

The men and women who rely on AND have no other income. They have no assets. They are the poorest of the poor in Colorado. They have a disability that precludes them from working. It is unconscionable now to take away their essential life preserver.

As one of our clients reported to the Denver Post today, “It's my life. Without it, I have no life”. After living on the street for seven years with several disabilities and unable to work, this 57-year-old man now has a small apartment where his grandchildren can visit him. When his AND allotment is combined with food stamps and a supportive housing program, he can just get by – without it, he’s certain he’ll become homeless again.

The AND funds are awarded to individuals while they wait for benefits from the Social Security Administration – a cumbersome process that can take many years. Once completed, however, the federal government reimburses the state for the expense.

Strains on local government funds have already reduced the ability of local communities to fill gaps created by the state. Furthermore, as the need for shelter and housing increases, foundations are giving less, due to losses in their investments. Individual giving is in jeopardy as donors worry about their own financial health.

It appears the safety net in our state is broken. At the Coalition, we only have a fraction of the resources needed to meet the skyrocketing housing and service needs of newly homeless people who are coming to us for help.

If all the Governor’s budget cuts are implemented, our organization will have to absorb at least a $2.5 million loss instantly in medical and mental health cuts alone. Meanwhile, we must find a way to continue to provide housing, healthcare and supportive services to a projected 18,000 men, women and children this year who now have no where else to turn. So, maintaining the AND program to protect Colorado’s poor and disabled citizens is more vital than ever.

We understand that Colorado’s budget is severely strained as tax revenues fall. But, the Governor has said his budget “is a moral document”. We think it’s a matter of choice. Creating crises and despair for so many people is a bad choice.

Please help us prevent cuts to AND. Contact our policy-makers now.

Thank you for your attention and your help,

B.J. Iacino
(303)-285-5223
Education and Advocacy Director
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless

To Be Contacted Immediately:

Governor's Office contact information:

Gov. Bill Ritter

136 State Capitol
Denver, CO 80203-1792

Phone: (303)-866-2471 Fax: (303)-866-2003

SHARE YOUR OPINION WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE - website where a person can offer opinions on pending legislation via a webform

Office of State Planning and Budgeting:
Todd Saliman, Director - 303-866-3317, ospb@state.co.us

Joint Budget Committee of the Colorado General Assembly:
Senator Moe Keller (Chair) - 303-866-2585, moe.keller.senate@state.co.us
Senator Abel Tapia - 303-866-2581, abel.tapia.senate@state.co.us
Senator Al White - 303-866-2586, al.white.senate@state.co.us
Representative Jack Pommer - 303-866-2780, jack.pommer.house@state.co.us
Representative Mark Ferrandino - 303-866-2911, mferrandino@yahoo.com
Representative Kent Lambert - 303-866-2937, rep.kent.lambert@comcast.net

Other Influential Policy Makers:

Senator Brandon Shaffer, President of the Colorado Senate - 303-866-3342, brandon.shaffer.senate@state.co.us
Senator Josh Penry, Colorado Senate Minority Leader - 303-866-3077, joshpenry@gmail.com
Rep. Terrance Carroll, Speaker of the House of Representatives - 303-866-2346, terrance.carroll.house@state.co.us
Representative Paul Weissman, Colorado House of Representatives Majority Leader - 303-866-2348, reppaul@aol.com
Representative Mike May, Colorado House of Representatives Minority Leader - 303-866-5523, mike.may.house@state.co.us
Karen Beye, Colorado Department of Human Resources Executive Director - 303-866-5700, karen.beye@state.co.us

Don't forget to contact your Representatives in the Colorado General Assembly! For contact information, click here .

Last Updated: October 14, 2009