May 7 , 2002

Three Major Events are coming up where you can make your voice heard!
• HHS APPROPRIATIONS PUBLIC HEARING, THURSDAY, MAY 9, 9am, Room 643,
  Legislative Office Building
• PRESS CONFERENCE AND RELEASE OF JUSTICE CENTER REPORT ON TANF REAUTHORIZATION,    MONDAY, MAY 13, 1pm, Child Advocacy Institute, 311 Edenton Street
• RALLY FOR JUSTICE! "Take a Stand for a Budget that Protects North Carolina's Future,"    TUESDAY, MAY 28, 9am - noon, Clarion Hotel, 320 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh

HHS APPROPRIATIONS PUBLIC HEARING

The Health and Human Services Subcommittee on Appropriations is holding a public hearing on the cuts they are now considering making to all divisions of HHS. Legislative leaders have told this committee to cut over $300 million from HHS alone. Some cuts being considered include:

The picture is very grim and getting worse; just this week new budget figures indicate this year's budget deficit is $300 million larger than previously anticipated. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! THESE CUTS ARE UNTHINKABLE AND UNREASONABLE. LEGISLATORS MUST HAVE THE COURAGE TO RAISE REVENUE.

HHS APPROPRIATIONS, PUBLIC HEARING
MAY 9, THURSDAY, 9am
Room 643, Legislative Office Building
Corner of Lane and Salisbury Streets, Raleigh

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK CALL:
Joyce Hodges 919-715-3042
Ann Raeford 919-733-5747
Jo Bobbit 919-733-5477

PRESS CONFERENCE TO RELEASE JUSTICE CENTER REPORT ON TANF REAUTHORIZATION

You are Invited to Attend A Press Conference for the Release of the Justice Center's Report:

MOVING WORK FIRST FAMILIES TO ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY:
A Map to What North Carolina Needs from Federal Reauthorization of Welfare Reform

Congress is considering how to reshape the Temporary Assistance for Needy Block Grant (TANF) for the next five years. Bills currently being reviewed would NOT increase funding for TANF or CHild Care Subsidies, but WOULD increase work requirements and limit for current rules what activities would count as a work activity. North Carolina's Work First and welfare efforts of the last seven years would be devastated by the current proposals.

North Carolina has made great progress in transforming its welfare system from one of cash handouts to a system of services focused on getting families into employment. Work First families have also embraced the work first philosophy by leaving the rolls in record numbers for work. North Carolina needs federal help to move to the next phase of welfare reform, so that Work First can help families move not just to a job, but to economic self-sufficiency. Report findings indicate that is not yet happening:

• Cash Assistance caseloads have dropped over 60%;
• About 70% of program participants who are leaving, earn wages in their first year off the job;
• Those families' median earnings are about $7,500 a year - just 63% of 2002 federal poverty level for family of two;
• The number of children living in poverty in North Carolina increased from 1990 - 2000, from 17% to 19%;

THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD:

MONDAY, MAY 13, 1pm
at the NC CHILD ADVOCACY INSTITUTE
311 East Edenton Street, Raleigh

Speakers Include:
Sorien K. Schmidt, Attorney, NC Justice and Community Development Center
Evelyn Dawson, Director, Halifax County Department of Social Services
Anna Green, Executive Director, Multicultural Development Services Family Resource Center

Contact Jenny Jenson at 919-856-2570 for more information or
Sorien Schmidt at sorien@ncjustice.org.

RALLY FOR JUSTICE!
"Take a Stand for a Budget that Protects North Carolina's Future"

North Carolina Legislators and the Governor are now considering deep, painful cuts to all parts of state government. These cuts threaten the very viability of state government and the services it provides. Between 1 and 2 billion dollars worth of cuts are on the table for the upcoming budget. This is after nearly $1 billion in cuts that have already been made in the 2002 budget plan and subsequently, to balance this year's budget. PUBLIC OFFICIALS DO HAVE ANOTHER CHOICE. THEY CAN RAISE REVENUES INSTEAD. THEY MUST RAISE REVENUES INSTEAD OF TURNING BACK THE CLOCK A DECADE OR MORE ON VITAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS.

Attend this Rally and Make Your Voice Heard with Your Feet and Your Presence!

PRE-RALLY DINNER
MONDAY, MAY 27, 6:30 pm
Clarion Hotel, 320 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh
Featured Speaker: Congresswoman Eva M.Clayton

RALLY AND MARCH
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 9am - noon,
Clarion Hotel, 320 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh

MAKE THE EFFORT TO ATTEND ONE OR MORE OF THESE EVENTS! MAKE YOUR VIEWS HEARD, SHAPE YOUR GOVERNMENT!

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