HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-15-2005-6dORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 15, 2005
Action Agen~
Item No. ,,(~
SUBJECT: Resolution Calling for New Federal Priorities
DEPARTMENT: BOCC
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
1, Resolution (modified per BOCC)
2. Draft Letter
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donna Baker, 245-2130
Gwen Harvey, 245-2307
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution to petition the President of the United States and
Congress to develop new federal priorities,
BACKGROUND: The federal government has issued un-funded mandates, mismanaged
homeland security, and gutted federal programs for low-income families. A resolution has been
drafted at the Board's request -and modified at their meeting on November 2 - to be directed
to the President and Congress asking for the federal government to refocus its spending
priorities,
Additionally, the Board has asked that a supporting letter be drafted to NC Congressman David
Price and Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr that would specifically encourage a "No"
vote on pending legislation that would hit programs for the poor and working poor hard,
FINANCIAL IMPACT: NONE
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the attached
resolution for new federal priorities and approve the draft letter for signature by the Chair.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR NEW FEDERAL PRIORITIES
WHEREAS, federal administration priorities and policies have led to de facto unfunded
mandates on local governments; and
WHEREAS, the war in Iraq is siphoning billions of dollars from the US economy and straining
the fiscal health of our federal, state, and local governments; and
WHEREAS, no-bid contracts to major corporations for reconstruction in the southeast United
States and Iraq undermine the trust of citizens in the integrity of government;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Orange County Board of Commissioners hereby
petitions the Bush Administration and Congress to end the war in Iraq, re-establish
a progressive tax code, curtail favoritism toward corporate interests, develop
responsible policies focused on renewable energy, and commit to priorities that
reflect the common good,
This the 15°i day of November 2005
Moses Carey, .lr,, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
DRAFT LETTER
REPRESENTATIVE PRICE
SENATORS DOLE AND BURR
NOTE: Letter will be properly addressed and formatted on BOCC stationery for
Chair's final review and signature before sending.
Dear Congressman
Dear Senator
RE: House Report.3010 -Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health
and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies for the Fiscal Year
Ending September 30, 2006
The package of cuts to human services program will harm thousands of vulnerable
children and families in Orange County and dramatically reduce the resources available
for us to serve them. We must express our sincere reservations and urge you to vote "No"
on measures that would do direct and substantial hazm to the less fortunate.
We submit the following examples for your consideration:
Child Support Enforcement in Orange County manages nearly 2900 household cases.
Of these fewer than 400 receive Work First (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families -
TANF) meaning 2,500 households depend in vazying degrees on child support collections
to maintain their financial stability and sufficiency.. The proposed reduction in federal
financial participation from 66 percent to 50 percent would affect the timeliness and
quality of service ranging from establishing paternity to enforcing support obligations,
and would actually increase costs in other federal programs.
Orange County Social Services has seen the average caseload in the Food Stamp
Program per fiscal year nearly double, from 1,471 in 2000-O1 to 2,763 in 2004-05. The
average monthly payment to families during September 2005 was $207. If this program
were to experience the $844 million cut over five yeazs as proposed by the House, how
might local authorities fill this gap? With the rising cost of transportation and utilities, the
importance of food stamps in reducing hunger cannot be understated. North Carolina has
the ninth highest rate of food insecurity in the nation with 1.3.8 percent of its population
struggling to get enough to eat..
The House bill contains a version of TANF re-authorization that is more reshictive for
clients and counties alike, while providing minimal increases in Child Care to support
the increased requirements. At any time, there are between 300 and 400 children waiting
for subsidized care through either Orange County Social Services or Child Care Services
in its administration of Smart Start funds.. Without affordable childcare, families are hard
pressed to work and contribute to the local economy.
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Our Commission believes this country can do better, and that your vote can make the
difference in assuring support and protections for the roughly 15 percent of our
population, according to the 2000 census, who live at or near poverty. We ask that you
resist cuts that work against the promotion of strong, stable, and self-sufficient families..
Sincerely yours,
Moses Carey, Jr.
Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners