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Budget Votes Raise Stakes for May 4 State House Rally

A series of House votes on budget and revenue bills has raised the stakes for our May 4 State House rally.

Lawmakers gave supporters of public services a wake-up call when they approved a state budget and sent it on to the Senate on April 20.

Close Vote

A two-vote margin of defeat for an amendment restoring some cuts for social services and a popular conservation program illustrated just how divided the Legislature remains. At risk are the state's most vulnerable individuals and the quality of our environment.

The electronic display in Representatives' Hall shows the very close vote on the Hager-Wallner amendment.

Although representatives endorsed a 28-cent increase in the tax on a pack of cigarettes on a 248 to 119 vote, they rejected a key amendment that would have added $20 million to the budget favored by the House Finance Committee.

Supporters of tight spending and revenue estimates, prepared by both the Finance and Ways and Means committees, assured House members that the budget can be adjusted as the legislation works its way through the Senate and a subsequent conference committee.

Rally Planned

SEA is ready to act. Our members and community allies are organizing a show of support for a responsible budget. The State House rally is scheduled for Wednesday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Our spirited defense of services took on new urgency under Gov. Craig Benson's administration two years go. This year, the House session reflected both progress and continued challenges.

Our members have supported Gov. John Lynch's maintenance spending plan, which uses anticipated growth from the state's existing revenue sources and the increase in tobacco taxes to balance the budget.

That the House remains narrowly divided on human service and conservation issues was reflected in the two-vote defeat, 183 to 185, of the amendment sponsored by Reps. Liz Hager and Mary Jane Wallner.

Services and Conservation

Rep. Liz Hager makes a tactical concession in asking House members not to reconsider a vote on her amendment adding funds for social services and conservation.

Specifically, their proposed amendment would have added money for community agencies serving people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities. It would have prevented costs for other programs from being shifted to counties, cities and towns. The amendment also included an additional $5 million for the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP).

Killing the amendment almost brought the budget process to an abrupt halt. When the budget bill minus the amendment came to a vote, it initially failed 175-196.

The House vote is just one step in a long process.

On motions to reconsider both the amendment and the budget bill, Hager made a tactical concession on her amendment in an effort to move the budget to the Senate. She urged supporters of the amendment to vote against reconsidering it.

"We will continue to work on these important issues," she said.

Rep. Mary Jane Wallner asks House members to support an amendment adding $20 million to the budget recommended by the House FInance Committee.

Wallner took a different tack, continuing to press for increased funding for services. The proposals "represent a small part of the budget. We should not turn our backs on the disabled and unfortunate," she said.

State Employee Contract

Negotiations for a new contract for state employees are interwoven with the budget process.

The House budget does not include funds for a new collective bargaining agreement. This reality adds urgency to our contract campaign. At the rally, SEA members will point out that a fair contract will help stabilize the state workforce. This will enable dedicated public servants to continue delivering quality public services.

Come to the Rally

Plan to attend the May 4 rally to remind the Legislature of the importance of state services and the people who provide them.