Spring Break
Kathleen's Korner: Budget woes hurt the needy
Kathleen McKiernan
Issue date: 11/20/07 Section: Editorial/Opinion
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11/20/07 - Does anyone notice that Gov. Donald Carcieri's recent plan to decrease the state's $200 million deficit only seems to affect the Rhode Islanders in need?
The governor's cuts seem to be aimed at programs and facilities that actually help people.
Thus far, he has proposed to decrease state funds to the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families and the Meals on Wheels Program.
There are about 220 elderly Rhode Islanders who depend on the Meals on Wheels Program to get food. Now, the elderly have to wait an average of 40 days to get Meals on Wheels because $100,700 was cut from the program's budget from state aid this year by the General Assembly. Because they are unable to depend on the program that has operated since 1969, these Rhode Islanders now may have to move to nursing homes, losing their independent living.
This year, more than $24 million was cut from the DCYF's budget. With undercut funds, some children at DCYF are left without care, help and a home.
Also, part of the governor's plan to decrease the deficit is to layoff state workers. Although, these workers may not seem as needy as the people Meals on Wheels and DCYF serve, some state workers actually help people in need. Now, the people they help are detrimentally affected.
For instance, the governor's cutbacks seem to particularly target employees at Eleanor Slater Hospital, home to many of the state's psychiatric patients. However, while employees at the hospital are being laid off, the patients are being left with reduced care. Some patients and their families may have to turn to nursing homes that may or may not have adequate resources to take care of the patients.
Let's not forget how the homeless shelter in Cranston, the Welcome Arnold Center was closed and torn down to make way for a new State Police headquarters. Yet, Carcieri decided to back off the plan in light of the state deficit. Too bad the wrecking ball had already torn through the building. But why think before pushing a project? It's much easier to tell the cold and hungry you made a mistake after the fact - they don't vote anyway.
It just seems to me that the Rhode Island state government is solving its problem by cutting budgets and laying off workers, but it seems to be cutting useful programs and workers that actually help the Rhode Island public. How can the government cut programs that help the public when it can erect the new I-Way, which is partially funded by the state? It does not make sense to me and perhaps the state government needs to get its priorities straight and focus more on the public that needs its help.
The governor's cuts seem to be aimed at programs and facilities that actually help people.
Thus far, he has proposed to decrease state funds to the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families and the Meals on Wheels Program.
There are about 220 elderly Rhode Islanders who depend on the Meals on Wheels Program to get food. Now, the elderly have to wait an average of 40 days to get Meals on Wheels because $100,700 was cut from the program's budget from state aid this year by the General Assembly. Because they are unable to depend on the program that has operated since 1969, these Rhode Islanders now may have to move to nursing homes, losing their independent living.
This year, more than $24 million was cut from the DCYF's budget. With undercut funds, some children at DCYF are left without care, help and a home.
Also, part of the governor's plan to decrease the deficit is to layoff state workers. Although, these workers may not seem as needy as the people Meals on Wheels and DCYF serve, some state workers actually help people in need. Now, the people they help are detrimentally affected.
For instance, the governor's cutbacks seem to particularly target employees at Eleanor Slater Hospital, home to many of the state's psychiatric patients. However, while employees at the hospital are being laid off, the patients are being left with reduced care. Some patients and their families may have to turn to nursing homes that may or may not have adequate resources to take care of the patients.
Let's not forget how the homeless shelter in Cranston, the Welcome Arnold Center was closed and torn down to make way for a new State Police headquarters. Yet, Carcieri decided to back off the plan in light of the state deficit. Too bad the wrecking ball had already torn through the building. But why think before pushing a project? It's much easier to tell the cold and hungry you made a mistake after the fact - they don't vote anyway.
It just seems to me that the Rhode Island state government is solving its problem by cutting budgets and laying off workers, but it seems to be cutting useful programs and workers that actually help the Rhode Island public. How can the government cut programs that help the public when it can erect the new I-Way, which is partially funded by the state? It does not make sense to me and perhaps the state government needs to get its priorities straight and focus more on the public that needs its help.
