E-CAPS Number 9
November 9, 2001
Greetings,
As many of you are aware, the state is facing a budget deficit. There are significant disagreements regarding how serious this deficit is or how long the economic downturn will last.
Most leading economists have indicated they believe CT's economy is in relatively good shape and there is no reason to panic and start slashing the budget. In fact, many argue that cutting the budget may risk a further slowdown of the economy.
Two CAFCA position papers are attached. "No Cuts" discusses the impact of budget cuts and what the alternatives are. "Budget Gap" discusses the economic outlook, has quotes from leading economists about our future prospects, and argues there is no reason to panic. It also presents detailed options for closing the budget deficit with NO SPENDING CUTS!
Please contact you legislators, even over the weekend if possible. The legislature is beginning it's Special Session next week and we need to convince them that there is no reason to start cutting spending that will only hurt low-income families in the end.
Further background info can be found on CAFCA's web site at www.cafca.org, such as:
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities new report comparing "Budget Cuts and Tax Increases at the State Level: Is One More Counter-Productive than the Other During A Recession?"
Recent Hartford Courant articles also bolster our arguments that this may be a mild recession:
Economy Shows Symptoms of Recession http://www.ctnow.com/business/hc-econostox1101.artnov01.story
Downturn Seen Slicing 35,000 job in State http://www.ctnow.com/business/hc-neep1031.artoct31.story
Tough times for laid-off, low-income workers After attacks http://usatoday.com/usatonline/20011030/3578452s.htm
OTHER RESEARCH
State's Rents Sixth Highest in the Nation
The report on rent is from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition www.nlihc.org
MENTAL HEALTH KidCare Advocates to Oppose Budget Cuts
New Research and Reports on the CAFCA web site are:
>>CAFCA Legislative Report for 2001
>>Hardship in America: The Real Story of Working Families
>>October Issue of CT CAPS Newsletter
Tax Credits As a result of legislation passed by Congress in June, low-income families will be eligible for refunds from the Child Tax Credit in 2001 and they can claim them on tax returns filed in 2002. However, people will not receive the credit automatically, so its important to get the word out. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities has an outreach kit available. Call them at 202-408-1080 or visit their web site at www.centeronbudget.org.
The CT Health Policy Project is now online. Go to - http://www.cthealthpolicy.org
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
November 26-29 2001 National Weatherization Training Conference Silver Anniversary Celebration, U.S. Department of Energy at the Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta, GA. For more information call (301) 589-0100.
December 3-5 Fall Community Action Agency Executive Training Seminar Orlando, Florida. NACAA offers this 3-day seminar annually to help Community Action Agency professionals hone their management skills and enhance their agencies. Topics include advocacy strategies and resource development. Opportunities for sharing best practices and success stories are also featured. For more information visit their web site at www.nacaa.org.
December 3-5 Effective Program and Service Design in Affordable Housing, Part I Orlando, Florida. Market studies, financial calculations, and housing program design will be covered in this intensive 3-day class. Participants will use their own CAA and community data to determine their market "windows" before tackling the topic of program design. Part II of this workshop (February 5-7, 2002) will focus on financing and underwriting costs for housing programs and concludes with a facilitated design studio. For more information visit their web site at www.nacaa.org.
January 7-11, 2002 6th Annual Head Start and Child Care Bureau Birth to Three Institute. Washington, DC. Information will be available at -- www.ehsnrc.org
February 5-7, 2002 Effective Program and Service Design in Affordable Housing, Part II NACAA Training Center, Washington, DC. Prerequisite: "Effective Program and Service Design in Affordable Housing, Part I." The elements of financing and underwriting development and housing costs for single- and multi-family programs will be the focus of this 3-day training class. The final day will be devoted to a facilitated design studio in which participants design a housing program, product or service based on their local market factors. For more information visit their web site at www.nacaa.org
March 6-8, 2002 NCAF Annual Legislative Conference Save the Date! To be held in Washington, DC. For more information visit their web site at www.ncaf.org.
For more detailed info and a more complete list of upcoming events, visit our web site at www.cafca.org.
David MacDonald
CAFCA Communications Director
TEL: 860-560-5847
FAX: 860-560-5848
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