ST. CHARLES ADVOCACY TOPICS—MARCH 22, 2012
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St. Charles Social Justice
Mar 22, 2012, 9:52:38 PM3/22/12
to St. Charles Social Justice Advocacy
ST. CHARLES ADVOCACY TOPICS—MARCH 22, 2012
I. LOCAL
--I. A. V.O.I.C.E. ACTION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ARLINGTON
--I. B. SUPPORT AHS POSITION ON FY 2013 BUDGET
II. STATE
--II. A. VULNERABLE VIRGINIANS MUST BE PRIORITY IN BUDGET
--II. B. $3 MILLION FOR HOUSING
III. NATIONAL
--III. A. LET FAITHFUL BUDGET BE MODEL FOR FEDERAL BUDGET
IV. INTERNATIONAL
NO INPUT THIS WEEK
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I. LOCAL
--I. A. V.O.I.C.E. ACTION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ARLINGTON
Affordable housing is an urgent problem in Arlington. Come meet with
your candidates for the March special election for the vacant seat on
the County Board and join Virginians Organized for Interfaith
Community Engagement (V.O.I.C.E.) in seeking public commitments from
Libby T. Garvey (D), Mark D. Kelly (R), and Audrey R. Clement (Green)
to preserve and create affordable housing in Arlington.
The action is Saturday, March 24, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm at St. Mary's
Episcopal Church, 2609 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207.
--I. B. SUPPORT AHS POSITION ON FY 2013 BUDGET
The Alliance for Housing Solutions would appreciate expressions of
support (emails, phone calls) from Arlingtonians to the County Board
for the AHS position on the Arlington County Housing and Housing
Services Budget for FY 2013. Go to http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CountyBoard/CountyBoardMain.aspx
and see "Contact Us" at left. The Board held hearings this week on the
2013 budget and tax rate.
Here are AHS's policy recommendations:
The Alliance for Housing Solutions applauds the inclusion of the
Housing Program Summary in the Manager’s Message on the Proposed FY
2013 Budget and her Recommendation for development of a Multi-Year
Housing Plan. We do have two concerns:
• The planning and community process need not require three
years and should be accelerated.
• Needed increases in the funding of critical programs should
not be held up by the plan process.
The Alliance supports the proposed use of the ½ cent increase in the
real estate property tax rate recommended in the Manager’s FY 2013
Budget for her Housing Program Recommendations, including:
• Development of a Multi-Year Plan.
• Restoration of $514,622 in lost Federal HOME funds.
• Increase of ongoing Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF)
funding by $1,327,304.
• Development of a new comprehensive homeless services center.
• Operation of the Mary Marshall Assisted Living Residence.
• Funding two additional housing planning positions.
The restoration of lost HOME funding and the increase in ongoing AHIF
funding, however, will only maintain AHIF funding at the current year
(FY 2012) level, whereas County staff project significant shortfalls
against the potential need. County staff also project shortfalls
against expected need in the Housing Grant Program and key elements of
Homelessness programs.
Accordingly, the Alliance supports an additional 1 ½ cent increase in
the real estate property tax rate above the Manager’s proposed ½ cent
(2-cent increase total) to meet the following shortfalls in projection
of need. (This 2-cent increase would yield an additional $ 9 million
in revenues for the County, while these proposed budget additions
would cost $7.1 million) :
• Shortfall in projection of need for AHIF funding( $3-5
million).
• Shortfall in projection of need for Housing Grant funding
($2.2 million).
• Funding of Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP)
to support home purchases by 10 moderate income families in FY 2013
($650,000).
• Shortfalls in projection of need for Homelessness and Safety
Net Programs ($1.3 million) as follows:
- Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) - about 250K
- Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) - about
365K
- Community Services Board (CSB) programs for the mentally disabled
and those with substance abuse challenges - about 700K.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
II. STATE
--II. A. VULNERABLE VIRGINIANS MUST BE PRIORITY IN BUDGET
Earlier this month the regular General Assembly session adjourned
without an agreement on the budget, so legislators will return to
Richmond today to resume budget negotiations. While time is of the
essence to ensure that localities can appropriately plan and budget
for the coming year, the final budget must also accurately reflect our
priorities as a Commonwealth. The Virginia Interfaith Center urges you
to ask your Senator, your Delegate, and Governor McDonnell to ensure
that the Commonwealth's final budget reflects widespread concern for
our most vulnerable Virginians by protecting those living on the
margins, restoring funding to the state's healthcare safety net, and
using funds from the national Mortgage Settlement Agreement to address
housing issues. To send a message, go to
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/7352/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=9632.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--II. B. $3 MILLION FOR HOUSING
SALT (Social Action Linking Together) and the Virginia Coalition to
End Homelessness urge us to contact budget negotiators in the General
Assembly – including Senator Janet Howell of Arlington and Fairfax –
to request support for $3 million in new funding for permanent
supportive housing and rapid re-housing.
Senator Howell can be reached at the following:
distr...@senate.virginia.gov, 703-709-8283 (district office), and
804-698-7532 (GA office).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR GOVERNOR, AND STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE –
INCREDIBLY EASY WAYS!
- To contact Governor McDonnell, use the following link:
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Contact.cfm or
The phone number for Governor McDonnell is (804) 786-2211.
- Find your senator at http://sov.state.va.us/SenatorDB.nsf/$$Viewtemplate+for+WMembershipHome?OpenForm
- Find your representative at http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView,
OR
Go to “Who's My Legislator” icon on the General Assembly website at
http://legis.state.va.us to find or confirm who your delegate or
senator is, and his or her contact information.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
III. NATIONAL
--III. A. LET FAITHFUL BUDGET BE MODEL FOR FEDERAL BUDGET
Representative Paul Ryan released the House budget proposal for FY
2013 on Tuesday March 20. The initial “big picture” shows that it is
no solution to our nation’s economic problems. Major concerns are
immediately obvious:
- The Ryan budget cuts total spending sharply from the FY 2012 budget,
and continues reductions in each of the next ten years; however the
national defense part of this spending increases by billions each
year.
- Medicare is slashed, becoming a premium support program – an amount
of money provided to seniors to offset the cost of their private
insurance.
- A reserve fund is established to bring about the repeal of the
Affordable Care Act, to remove the benefits to seniors, children and
young adults which are already helping millions of those most in need
of assistance.
- Revenue, so badly needed, is further limited by the extension of the
2001 and 2003 tax cuts; adjustment of the Alternative Minimum Tax to
prevent additional people from paying it; extending the estate and
gift tax cuts and reforming the tax code and lowering tax rates
In contrast, “PRIORITIES FOR A FAITHFUL BUDGET: Acting with Mercy and
Justice as One Nation Under God” was released today, March 22, and
provides a better model. This “Faithful Budget” was created by members
of a national coalition of interfaith organizations who believe that
government is a vital forum for promoting the common good and ensuring
that no one is left behind.
The Catholic social justice lobby NETWORK encourages us to contact our
Senators and Representative. Ask them to reject the immoral cuts to
human needs which are proposed in the House Budget. Ask them, rather,
to study the Faithful Budget document released on March 22.
Go to http://capwiz.com/networklobby/issues/alert/?alertid=61117966
for a sample e-mail message.
You can also call the Washington offices of your Senators and
Representative via the Capitol switchboard 202-224-3121. Tell them to
look at the Faithful Budget at faithfulbudget.org.
See www.networklobby.org/blog/2012-3-22/blog-faithful-budget for more
information on the faithful budget.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HOW TO CONTACT THE PRESIDENT AND YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE –
INCREDIBLY EASY WAYS!
To contact your senators and representative, go to
http://actioncenter.crs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ac_homepage or
http://capwiz.com/networklobby/home/ and enter your zip code.
(Both sites have links to additional information about issues.)
You can also reach your senators and representative by calling the
Congressional Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121.
To contact the President, go to http://capwiz.com/networklobby/bio/?id=20004&lvl=F
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
IV. INTERNATIONAL
NO INPUT THIS WEEK
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[NOTE: We encourage you to forward this e-mail to others you think
would be interested. Persons wishing to subscribe may go to the St.
Charles Web site, Social Justice page, by using this link:
http://www.stcharleschurch.org/maillist.htm and following the
instructions found there under Social Justice.]
I. LOCAL
--I. A. V.O.I.C.E. ACTION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ARLINGTON
--I. B. SUPPORT AHS POSITION ON FY 2013 BUDGET
II. STATE
--II. A. VULNERABLE VIRGINIANS MUST BE PRIORITY IN BUDGET
--II. B. $3 MILLION FOR HOUSING
III. NATIONAL
--III. A. LET FAITHFUL BUDGET BE MODEL FOR FEDERAL BUDGET
IV. INTERNATIONAL
NO INPUT THIS WEEK
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I. LOCAL
--I. A. V.O.I.C.E. ACTION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ARLINGTON
Affordable housing is an urgent problem in Arlington. Come meet with
your candidates for the March special election for the vacant seat on
the County Board and join Virginians Organized for Interfaith
Community Engagement (V.O.I.C.E.) in seeking public commitments from
Libby T. Garvey (D), Mark D. Kelly (R), and Audrey R. Clement (Green)
to preserve and create affordable housing in Arlington.
The action is Saturday, March 24, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm at St. Mary's
Episcopal Church, 2609 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207.
--I. B. SUPPORT AHS POSITION ON FY 2013 BUDGET
The Alliance for Housing Solutions would appreciate expressions of
support (emails, phone calls) from Arlingtonians to the County Board
for the AHS position on the Arlington County Housing and Housing
Services Budget for FY 2013. Go to http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CountyBoard/CountyBoardMain.aspx
and see "Contact Us" at left. The Board held hearings this week on the
2013 budget and tax rate.
Here are AHS's policy recommendations:
The Alliance for Housing Solutions applauds the inclusion of the
Housing Program Summary in the Manager’s Message on the Proposed FY
2013 Budget and her Recommendation for development of a Multi-Year
Housing Plan. We do have two concerns:
• The planning and community process need not require three
years and should be accelerated.
• Needed increases in the funding of critical programs should
not be held up by the plan process.
The Alliance supports the proposed use of the ½ cent increase in the
real estate property tax rate recommended in the Manager’s FY 2013
Budget for her Housing Program Recommendations, including:
• Development of a Multi-Year Plan.
• Restoration of $514,622 in lost Federal HOME funds.
• Increase of ongoing Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF)
funding by $1,327,304.
• Development of a new comprehensive homeless services center.
• Operation of the Mary Marshall Assisted Living Residence.
• Funding two additional housing planning positions.
The restoration of lost HOME funding and the increase in ongoing AHIF
funding, however, will only maintain AHIF funding at the current year
(FY 2012) level, whereas County staff project significant shortfalls
against the potential need. County staff also project shortfalls
against expected need in the Housing Grant Program and key elements of
Homelessness programs.
Accordingly, the Alliance supports an additional 1 ½ cent increase in
the real estate property tax rate above the Manager’s proposed ½ cent
(2-cent increase total) to meet the following shortfalls in projection
of need. (This 2-cent increase would yield an additional $ 9 million
in revenues for the County, while these proposed budget additions
would cost $7.1 million) :
• Shortfall in projection of need for AHIF funding( $3-5
million).
• Shortfall in projection of need for Housing Grant funding
($2.2 million).
• Funding of Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP)
to support home purchases by 10 moderate income families in FY 2013
($650,000).
• Shortfalls in projection of need for Homelessness and Safety
Net Programs ($1.3 million) as follows:
- Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) - about 250K
- Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) - about
365K
- Community Services Board (CSB) programs for the mentally disabled
and those with substance abuse challenges - about 700K.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
II. STATE
--II. A. VULNERABLE VIRGINIANS MUST BE PRIORITY IN BUDGET
Earlier this month the regular General Assembly session adjourned
without an agreement on the budget, so legislators will return to
Richmond today to resume budget negotiations. While time is of the
essence to ensure that localities can appropriately plan and budget
for the coming year, the final budget must also accurately reflect our
priorities as a Commonwealth. The Virginia Interfaith Center urges you
to ask your Senator, your Delegate, and Governor McDonnell to ensure
that the Commonwealth's final budget reflects widespread concern for
our most vulnerable Virginians by protecting those living on the
margins, restoring funding to the state's healthcare safety net, and
using funds from the national Mortgage Settlement Agreement to address
housing issues. To send a message, go to
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/7352/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=9632.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--II. B. $3 MILLION FOR HOUSING
SALT (Social Action Linking Together) and the Virginia Coalition to
End Homelessness urge us to contact budget negotiators in the General
Assembly – including Senator Janet Howell of Arlington and Fairfax –
to request support for $3 million in new funding for permanent
supportive housing and rapid re-housing.
Senator Howell can be reached at the following:
distr...@senate.virginia.gov, 703-709-8283 (district office), and
804-698-7532 (GA office).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR GOVERNOR, AND STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE –
INCREDIBLY EASY WAYS!
- To contact Governor McDonnell, use the following link:
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Contact.cfm or
The phone number for Governor McDonnell is (804) 786-2211.
- Find your senator at http://sov.state.va.us/SenatorDB.nsf/$$Viewtemplate+for+WMembershipHome?OpenForm
- Find your representative at http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView,
OR
Go to “Who's My Legislator” icon on the General Assembly website at
http://legis.state.va.us to find or confirm who your delegate or
senator is, and his or her contact information.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
III. NATIONAL
--III. A. LET FAITHFUL BUDGET BE MODEL FOR FEDERAL BUDGET
Representative Paul Ryan released the House budget proposal for FY
2013 on Tuesday March 20. The initial “big picture” shows that it is
no solution to our nation’s economic problems. Major concerns are
immediately obvious:
- The Ryan budget cuts total spending sharply from the FY 2012 budget,
and continues reductions in each of the next ten years; however the
national defense part of this spending increases by billions each
year.
- Medicare is slashed, becoming a premium support program – an amount
of money provided to seniors to offset the cost of their private
insurance.
- A reserve fund is established to bring about the repeal of the
Affordable Care Act, to remove the benefits to seniors, children and
young adults which are already helping millions of those most in need
of assistance.
- Revenue, so badly needed, is further limited by the extension of the
2001 and 2003 tax cuts; adjustment of the Alternative Minimum Tax to
prevent additional people from paying it; extending the estate and
gift tax cuts and reforming the tax code and lowering tax rates
In contrast, “PRIORITIES FOR A FAITHFUL BUDGET: Acting with Mercy and
Justice as One Nation Under God” was released today, March 22, and
provides a better model. This “Faithful Budget” was created by members
of a national coalition of interfaith organizations who believe that
government is a vital forum for promoting the common good and ensuring
that no one is left behind.
The Catholic social justice lobby NETWORK encourages us to contact our
Senators and Representative. Ask them to reject the immoral cuts to
human needs which are proposed in the House Budget. Ask them, rather,
to study the Faithful Budget document released on March 22.
Go to http://capwiz.com/networklobby/issues/alert/?alertid=61117966
for a sample e-mail message.
You can also call the Washington offices of your Senators and
Representative via the Capitol switchboard 202-224-3121. Tell them to
look at the Faithful Budget at faithfulbudget.org.
See www.networklobby.org/blog/2012-3-22/blog-faithful-budget for more
information on the faithful budget.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HOW TO CONTACT THE PRESIDENT AND YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE –
INCREDIBLY EASY WAYS!
To contact your senators and representative, go to
http://actioncenter.crs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ac_homepage or
http://capwiz.com/networklobby/home/ and enter your zip code.
(Both sites have links to additional information about issues.)
You can also reach your senators and representative by calling the
Congressional Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121.
To contact the President, go to http://capwiz.com/networklobby/bio/?id=20004&lvl=F
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
IV. INTERNATIONAL
NO INPUT THIS WEEK
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[NOTE: We encourage you to forward this e-mail to others you think
would be interested. Persons wishing to subscribe may go to the St.
Charles Web site, Social Justice page, by using this link:
http://www.stcharleschurch.org/maillist.htm and following the
instructions found there under Social Justice.]
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