Low Income Groups Protest State Budget

author : Eric Tompkins topic : health care | poverty | Welfare Rights Olympia

Olympia, WA -- 4/21/05 -- Seven sheet shrouded bodies laid on the ground while a trio of state patrol officers stood by waiting to act. Cardboard tombstones recorded the reasons for those that passed. Symbolizing victims whose deaths were caused by state cuts to programs for low income people, activists participated in a "Die In" on wednesday, April 13th, on the state capital campus.

The Washington state legislature is presently preparing its biennial budget. Low income people will be profoundly affected by Washington state's fiscal plan. A $3 copayment for Medicaid recipient prescriptions, $1 copay for Medicaid recipient transportation to medical appointments, cuts to G.A.U. (General Assistance for the Unemployable), and no cost of living increase for 12 years to T.A.N.F. recipients (Temporary Aid for Needy Families) are current state budget plans. The G.A.U. grant is a small stipend for those unable to work at only $339 a month. Medicaid recipients with multiple prescriptions or appointments will be forced to decide which medications they can afford and which medical trips they can pay for. The "Die In", directed at state legislators, demonstrated the lethal consequences of cutting social services. A coalition of low income groups, the Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition (WROC), Real Change, and the Statewide Poverty Action Network, loudly voiced their opposition to the proposed budget.

The "Die In" was a culmination of direct actions to raise legislator consciousness regarding issues of low income people. The action lasted for over two hours with chants of "Stop the War! On the Poor!" and "What Do We Want? Basic Needs! When Do We Want Them? NOW!" Reactions from legislators ranged from open support to hostility as some activists approached them asking for solutions. An unidentified state congressman replied, "They should get a job," when told of cuts to G.A.U. and walked away quickly when informed that it is a grant for disabled people who cannot work.

A state budget balanced on the backs of low income people is unjust. To contact your state legislator and the governor, call 1-800-562-6000 to leave a message opposing $3 copays for medicaid recipient prescriptions and the $1 transportation fee to medical appointments. For information about volunteering at WROC call (360) 352-9716 or e-mail wrocoly@wroc.org.

- Eric Tompkins (360) 556-7374

WROC Intern