May 10, 2010
LAST CHANCE FOR COUNTY FUNDING
The King County Executive introduced a proposal for a public safety sales tax increase of .2%, which the Council will vote on May 17. The County has the authority to expand the proposal up to .3%. By exercising full authority and adding another .1%, the Council could secure $25 million in funding for community health and human services.
What is at stake?
More and more families are struggling to make ends meet during the economic downturn. Food Lifeline, along with several other programs, is trying desperately to keep up with an increase in demand, as tight budgets have forced a decrease in funding. Just this year, Food Lifeline lost all its funding from the county in the 2010 budget. For every $1 lost, Food Lifeline could have provided 4 meals for struggling families.
Without prioritizing dedicated revenue for human services, and doing it soon, vital services like hunger relief will continue to experience cuts. Thousands of families across the county depend on our services along with many others to help them meet their basic needs. Essential programs must be supported in order for much needed services to be available.
Now is the time.
Right now, the King County Council has the chance to say YES to prioritizing people in need. By introducing a full .3% increase, desperately needed funding can be secured and put towards strengthening human services, and the tax as a whole would be more likely to pass. Polls have shown that 52% of respondents would be more likely to support the measure if it included provisions for human services.
We must remind the Council that meeting people’s basic needs is a public safety issue as well. A healthy, sheltered, and well fed individual is much less likely to commit crimes of desperation. Therefore, let’s dedicate funds to prevention and not just enforcement!
Speak up!
Contact your County Councilmember before the May 13th public hearing, and let them know that you support a full .3% sales tax increase. You can find your councilmember and their contact information online.
Sample Message: “My name is ____ (name) and I live in ____ (neighborhood or city). Please use your full authority and support a full .3% sales tax increase. I would vote for this increase if it makes it to the ballot! During these difficult economic times when people are greatly in need of assistance, it is more important than ever that the County prioritize community health and human services and work toward a dedicated source of revenue. Money put towards meeting basic needs now prevents crimes of desperation and saves money spent on enforcement later. Please, take this chance to raise revenue and strengthen our county.”
Do you have questions, or want to be more involved in advocacy? Contact Maria Roselle via email or by calling 206-432-3625.