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The city council revised the 2011 budget on December 7 to close a budget gap of $188 million. Some of the changes include $4.6 million from TANF, $2 million from rental assistance to people with intellectual disabilities, $1.2 million from the grandparent care-giver program. In all, the city council cut $34 million from social services. To get the complete break down go to the District's Dime http://www.dcfpi.org/fixing-dc%E2%80%99s-tax-code" target="_new" rel="nofollow"> http://www.dcfpi.org/fixing-dc%E2%80%99s-tax-code
What the council did not do, although it was proposed, was raise the income tax rate on people making more than $200,000 a year, or on people making more than $750,000 a year, or on people making more than a million dollars a year. The highest income tax bracket in the District of Columbia is 8.5% and that starts at $40,001 per year. So, anybody out there making more than $40,000 a year pays 8.5% of their income in taxes no matter how much more than $40,000 they make.
The proposals that were rejected asked the council to raise the rate of wealthy District residents by as little as 1%. For someone making $300,000 a year, that comes to $85 a month. Instead the council decide to cut TANF benefits by that same amount, $85 month.
I hesitate to post this hear, as I know I won't have time to monitor the comments, and it always pains me when folks seem misinformed. On the other hand, I always want to hear what the other point of view is and I am open to hearing it when my facts are wrong. I'm a single-mom who makes less than $20,000 a year, so who am I to demand more from the wealthy, right? There's another mother in the video below, a disabled TANF recipient, who pleads her case to Chairman Gray before the vote to revise the budget. I wonder how readers of this forum think he should have responded.
What the council did not do, although it was proposed, was raise the income tax rate on people making more than $200,000 a year, or on people making more than $750,000 a year, or on people making more than a million dollars a year. The highest income tax bracket in the District of Columbia is 8.5% and that starts at $40,001 per year. So, anybody out there making more than $40,000 a year pays 8.5% of their income in taxes no matter how much more than $40,000 they make.
The proposals that were rejected asked the council to raise the rate of wealthy District residents by as little as 1%. For someone making $300,000 a year, that comes to $85 a month. Instead the council decide to cut TANF benefits by that same amount, $85 month.
I hesitate to post this hear, as I know I won't have time to monitor the comments, and it always pains me when folks seem misinformed. On the other hand, I always want to hear what the other point of view is and I am open to hearing it when my facts are wrong. I'm a single-mom who makes less than $20,000 a year, so who am I to demand more from the wealthy, right? There's another mother in the video below, a disabled TANF recipient, who pleads her case to Chairman Gray before the vote to revise the budget. I wonder how readers of this forum think he should have responded.
that is pretty sad we live in a culture that someone with one child by the time they take out taxes (no insurance as we have that via other means) and all the other stuff cannot afford to work.
-- I couldn't agree more.
I'd actually be living better on gov't assistance and in far nicer housing if as "destitute" given I know all the programs very well, how to access them and what is available.
-- You seem to be suggesting here that those who know how to work the system take unfair advantage. I'm sure that's true. Do you have any suggestions on how to fix that?
It is very singleminded to just focus on one program when most people aren't just benefiting from one program
-- That's true enough. But I tend to think we try to make changes where we can in whatever fashion is available to us. I think advocating for a fully funded subsidized child care program is a positive action. As with everything there are unintended consequences, i.e. people who take advantage of the system, but as that's not everybody, probably a relatively small percentage, I think the benefits outweigh the risks.
Its ashame when you look at other countries/cultures who actually provide affordable child care for everyone, preschool programs for everyone, drop-in first time parenting programs for everyone, etc. But, in our culture, we pick and choose who is worthy of help and who isn't and those who aren't deemed worthy, just get to pick up the tab for paying.
-- I couldn't possibly agree with you more. You realize however that you are describing socialism, which is a dirty word in this country.
I have a computer and savings as I worked for many years - that is how we get by. We put food on our table and pay for my son's formula via my unemployment. And, no, I don't know if I will be housed safely next month or the month as no one's jobs are truly secure. Gratefully, we have savings that we saved for many years prior to our child but once that runs out, people like us are pretty much up a creek.
-- And so if things do get just a bit worse for you then you may also qualify for these programs. What will your position be then? Will you be thankful that they are funded well enough to help you make ends meet? Let's hope they are, but I wouldn't count on it.
The DC Budget was just revised last Tuesday to make up for a $188 million budget gap. Mayor Fenty proposed cutting subsidized child care by $1 million, but the council didn't agree to that. They did agree to cut TANF by $4.6 million, rental assistance to people with intellectual disabilities by $2 million, the grandparent care-giver program lost 1.2 million. In all the city council cut $34 million from social services. (I got this information from a really great blog, the District's Dime, look it up.) This during the worst recession in the nation's history. What they didn't do, although it was proposed, was raise the income tax rate on people making more than $200,000 a year, or on people making more than $750,000 a year, or on people making more than a million dollars a year. The proposals that were rejected asked the council to raise the rate of wealthy dc residents (and I'm talking truly wealthy DC residents) by as little as 1%. For someone making $300,000 a year, that comes to $85 a month. Do you think they're gonna miss it? Instead the council decide to cut TANF benefits by that same amount, $85 month. Do you think TANF recipients are gonna miss that $85? The highest income tax bracket in the District of Columbia is 8.5% and that starts at $40,001 per year. So, anybody out there making more than $40,000 a year pays 8.5% of their income in taxes no matter how much more than $40,000 they make. And in reality, the more you make over that $40,000 the lower your actual percentage is likely to be because there are all manner of tax breaks out there for rich folks.
So, yeah, I'm kinda pissed that it seems like hard working folks are paying for the social services that really poor people need to survive, but I don't blame poor people for that.
And whichever anonymous poster came to my defense, thank you.
-- I couldn't agree more.
I'd actually be living better on gov't assistance and in far nicer housing if as "destitute" given I know all the programs very well, how to access them and what is available.
-- You seem to be suggesting here that those who know how to work the system take unfair advantage. I'm sure that's true. Do you have any suggestions on how to fix that?
It is very singleminded to just focus on one program when most people aren't just benefiting from one program
-- That's true enough. But I tend to think we try to make changes where we can in whatever fashion is available to us. I think advocating for a fully funded subsidized child care program is a positive action. As with everything there are unintended consequences, i.e. people who take advantage of the system, but as that's not everybody, probably a relatively small percentage, I think the benefits outweigh the risks.
Its ashame when you look at other countries/cultures who actually provide affordable child care for everyone, preschool programs for everyone, drop-in first time parenting programs for everyone, etc. But, in our culture, we pick and choose who is worthy of help and who isn't and those who aren't deemed worthy, just get to pick up the tab for paying.
-- I couldn't possibly agree with you more. You realize however that you are describing socialism, which is a dirty word in this country.
I have a computer and savings as I worked for many years - that is how we get by. We put food on our table and pay for my son's formula via my unemployment. And, no, I don't know if I will be housed safely next month or the month as no one's jobs are truly secure. Gratefully, we have savings that we saved for many years prior to our child but once that runs out, people like us are pretty much up a creek.
-- And so if things do get just a bit worse for you then you may also qualify for these programs. What will your position be then? Will you be thankful that they are funded well enough to help you make ends meet? Let's hope they are, but I wouldn't count on it.
The DC Budget was just revised last Tuesday to make up for a $188 million budget gap. Mayor Fenty proposed cutting subsidized child care by $1 million, but the council didn't agree to that. They did agree to cut TANF by $4.6 million, rental assistance to people with intellectual disabilities by $2 million, the grandparent care-giver program lost 1.2 million. In all the city council cut $34 million from social services. (I got this information from a really great blog, the District's Dime, look it up.) This during the worst recession in the nation's history. What they didn't do, although it was proposed, was raise the income tax rate on people making more than $200,000 a year, or on people making more than $750,000 a year, or on people making more than a million dollars a year. The proposals that were rejected asked the council to raise the rate of wealthy dc residents (and I'm talking truly wealthy DC residents) by as little as 1%. For someone making $300,000 a year, that comes to $85 a month. Do you think they're gonna miss it? Instead the council decide to cut TANF benefits by that same amount, $85 month. Do you think TANF recipients are gonna miss that $85? The highest income tax bracket in the District of Columbia is 8.5% and that starts at $40,001 per year. So, anybody out there making more than $40,000 a year pays 8.5% of their income in taxes no matter how much more than $40,000 they make. And in reality, the more you make over that $40,000 the lower your actual percentage is likely to be because there are all manner of tax breaks out there for rich folks.
So, yeah, I'm kinda pissed that it seems like hard working folks are paying for the social services that really poor people need to survive, but I don't blame poor people for that.
And whichever anonymous poster came to my defense, thank you.
I can see that it's very difficult for parents who don't receive a child care subsidy who really need one to be supportive of those parents who are receiving a subsidy. Here's an article that might make you feel more sympathetic. On the other hand it might not. But I think it's worth reading: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/09/AR2010120906380.html
What would really be great is an expansion of subsidized child care so that the many, many folks who fall into that donut hole of making just a little too much money to get the subsidy (I was one of those folks by the way. My daughter is older now, but it did suck at the time.) would also be covered. Do we get there by not funding the program that already exists? I don't think so.
What would really be great is an expansion of subsidized child care so that the many, many folks who fall into that donut hole of making just a little too much money to get the subsidy (I was one of those folks by the way. My daughter is older now, but it did suck at the time.) would also be covered. Do we get there by not funding the program that already exists? I don't think so.
Anonymous,
I'm just curious. Are you for or against fully funding the subsidized child care program in the District of Columbia?
I'm just curious. Are you for or against fully funding the subsidized child care program in the District of Columbia?
Anonymous,
I keep thinking we're on the same side. I say, "the District would do well to make sure that EVERYBODY who wants/needs child care, quality child care, can get it." You say, "Affordable and quality child care is something everyone deserves." I say, "If we could get our elected officials to recognize the economic benefits that the city would receive by providing affordable child care to poor folk, then they're more likely to recognize that we'd get even more economic benefits if affordable child care were available to middle income folks like you as well." So we both want affordable child care for all, and still you're saying we disagree. What do we disagree on exactly? I'm sincerely confused.
Let me try and be more specific and not rant, as you suggest. I'm advocating that the District of Columbia fully fund the child care subsidy program. I'm not sure how that would be a bad thing for any of the families with whom you used to work. No doubt, there are bigger issues in child care than what I'm focusing on, but this relatively small issue of how the District spends its money is something I believe all of residents of the Districts should have a say in. I'm suggesting that by testifying at the council hearing we could have a say.
I honestly didn't mean to offend you. I suspect it has to do with the following, "I think if you want to work, to earn money that you will pay taxes on, if you want to go to school so you can get a better job and pay taxes, then the District would do well to make sure that EVERYBODY who wants/needs child care, quality child care, can get it." When I typed that up during my little rant, I did not mean to imply you specifically. I have a friend who was going to college and lost her financial aid because the child care voucher she was counting on did not pay enough to cover her child care needs. I was talking about her, not you. So maybe you don't need to go back to school and get more education, but my friend really kinda does and the city would be better off if it supported her efforts because she'd eventually be putting more into the tax pool than she is now.
Anyway, I hope I'm clearer.
I keep thinking we're on the same side. I say, "the District would do well to make sure that EVERYBODY who wants/needs child care, quality child care, can get it." You say, "Affordable and quality child care is something everyone deserves." I say, "If we could get our elected officials to recognize the economic benefits that the city would receive by providing affordable child care to poor folk, then they're more likely to recognize that we'd get even more economic benefits if affordable child care were available to middle income folks like you as well." So we both want affordable child care for all, and still you're saying we disagree. What do we disagree on exactly? I'm sincerely confused.
Let me try and be more specific and not rant, as you suggest. I'm advocating that the District of Columbia fully fund the child care subsidy program. I'm not sure how that would be a bad thing for any of the families with whom you used to work. No doubt, there are bigger issues in child care than what I'm focusing on, but this relatively small issue of how the District spends its money is something I believe all of residents of the Districts should have a say in. I'm suggesting that by testifying at the council hearing we could have a say.
I honestly didn't mean to offend you. I suspect it has to do with the following, "I think if you want to work, to earn money that you will pay taxes on, if you want to go to school so you can get a better job and pay taxes, then the District would do well to make sure that EVERYBODY who wants/needs child care, quality child care, can get it." When I typed that up during my little rant, I did not mean to imply you specifically. I have a friend who was going to college and lost her financial aid because the child care voucher she was counting on did not pay enough to cover her child care needs. I was talking about her, not you. So maybe you don't need to go back to school and get more education, but my friend really kinda does and the city would be better off if it supported her efforts because she'd eventually be putting more into the tax pool than she is now.
Anyway, I hope I'm clearer.
To the social worker, Thanks for calling the Mom you know about testifying. Give her Ben Parisi's number if she wants some help writing her testimony. He's the Child Care For All Campaign organizer for Empower DC. His number and email are at the bottom of the first post of this thread. Thanks again.
To the Anonymous Poster who used to be a social worker who posted about the middle class -
Yes, it's true low-income people have access to benefits. Yet, I keep hearing how child care vouchers are not enough to pay for a child care provider near where the jobs are. So if you live in Ward 7 or 8 and work or want to work on the other side of the river where jobs are more plentiful, you can take your kid(s) across the river and drop them off near where you work IF you can find someone who will not only accept your voucher, but however much your voucher is willing to pay. Not easy. So, you try and find a center in Ward 7 or 8 and low and behold they're full because so many folks are having the same issue and/or they've closed down because they were taking the little bit of money that people's vouchers were worth and they finally couldn't make ends meet. Things are worse over here, I live in Ward 7, since Fenty closed down the Department of Recreation Early Childhood programs over here. It's beyond me why he closed those down and not the programs on the other side of the river. Those programs were desperately needed over here. Okay, I feel I'm starting to rant.
My point is that I am in fact sympathetic with your position. As I said previously, as a progressive, I think the District should be helping not just the poor, the lowest income parents with this issue. I think if you want to work, to earn money that you will pay taxes on, if you want to go to school so you can get a better job and pay taxes, then the District would do well to make sure that EVERYBODY who wants/needs child care, quality child care, can get it. If DC were as lefty/progressive as the congress and perhaps the rest of the country seems to think we are, then we'd do that. But we aren't and we don't. How do we get there? I'm sorry to say it, but I think we have to provide for the neediest first. If we could get our elected officials to recognize the economic benefits that the city would receive by providing affordable child care to poor folk, then they're more likely to recognize that we'd get even more economic benefits if affordable child care were available to middle income folks like you as well. A rising tide lifts all boats.
Yes, it's true low-income people have access to benefits. Yet, I keep hearing how child care vouchers are not enough to pay for a child care provider near where the jobs are. So if you live in Ward 7 or 8 and work or want to work on the other side of the river where jobs are more plentiful, you can take your kid(s) across the river and drop them off near where you work IF you can find someone who will not only accept your voucher, but however much your voucher is willing to pay. Not easy. So, you try and find a center in Ward 7 or 8 and low and behold they're full because so many folks are having the same issue and/or they've closed down because they were taking the little bit of money that people's vouchers were worth and they finally couldn't make ends meet. Things are worse over here, I live in Ward 7, since Fenty closed down the Department of Recreation Early Childhood programs over here. It's beyond me why he closed those down and not the programs on the other side of the river. Those programs were desperately needed over here. Okay, I feel I'm starting to rant.
My point is that I am in fact sympathetic with your position. As I said previously, as a progressive, I think the District should be helping not just the poor, the lowest income parents with this issue. I think if you want to work, to earn money that you will pay taxes on, if you want to go to school so you can get a better job and pay taxes, then the District would do well to make sure that EVERYBODY who wants/needs child care, quality child care, can get it. If DC were as lefty/progressive as the congress and perhaps the rest of the country seems to think we are, then we'd do that. But we aren't and we don't. How do we get there? I'm sorry to say it, but I think we have to provide for the neediest first. If we could get our elected officials to recognize the economic benefits that the city would receive by providing affordable child care to poor folk, then they're more likely to recognize that we'd get even more economic benefits if affordable child care were available to middle income folks like you as well. A rising tide lifts all boats.
Hello PP Social Worker, Is there any way we can get that mom to testify at DC's budget hearing on Tuesday morning? It's starts at 9:30 in the Wilson Building.
I don't know if forum readers will find this useful or not as I suspect most of you don't fall into this category, but in the event that you know someone in the District who simply can't afford child care or anyone interested in helping out low-income parents, the following notice might be useful. I post on behalf of Ben Parisi, Empower DC's Child Care For All Campaign Organizer. You might also check out the video we put together of Vince Gray talking about child care subsidies at the Ward 8 town hall meeting.
Thanks for considering. -Liane Scott
Join Us Next Tuesday and Tell Vince Gray: Don't Balance the Budget on the Backs of DC's Children and Low-income Working Families!
Public Hearing on the Budget
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
9:30 AM
Wilson Building, Rm 500
1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Hello Progressives,
Vince Gray announced that there is a HUGE deficit in this fiscal
year's budget. That means our elected officials are going to be making some
BIG CUTS!
Child Care has already seen TOO MANY cuts - almost $30 MILLION in the past
five years. WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH! More cuts to the Child Care Subsidy Program
mean that children go without quality early care and education, parents have
to leave their jobs or put job searches on hold, child care teachers lose
their jobs, and the small child care businesses around our city are forced
to close their doors.
Vince Gray said it best himself when he said last week that a tough budget
helps us set our priorities. Join us next week to remind Vince Gray and the
rest of our City Council that Child Care Subsidies should be a PRIORITY!
Cutting these subsidies during a recession makes the situation worse for
thousands of DC families, not better.
If you are interested in testifying at the hearing, attending in support or
getting more information, please call Ben at (202) 234-9119 or respond to
this email by Monday, Nov 29. We need your support!
If you can't attend in person, please call Vince Gray at (202) 724-8032 or
email him at vgray@dccouncil.us to let him know you're watching how he acts
on child care! If you would like any assistance or more information for your
testimony or to contact Vince Gray, please do not hesitate to contact me!
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Ben Parisi
Organizer, Child Care for All Campaign
Empower DC
ben@empowerdc.org
office (202) 234-9119
cell (202) 525-6236
fax (202) 234-6655
1419 V Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
www.empowerdc.org
Join Us Next Tuesday and Tell Vince Gray: Don't Balance the Budget on the Backs of DC's Children and Low-income Working Families!
Public Hearing on the Budget
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
9:30 AM
Wilson Building, Rm 500
1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Hello Progressives,
Vince Gray announced that there is a HUGE deficit in this fiscal
year's budget. That means our elected officials are going to be making some
BIG CUTS!
Child Care has already seen TOO MANY cuts - almost $30 MILLION in the past
five years. WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH! More cuts to the Child Care Subsidy Program
mean that children go without quality early care and education, parents have
to leave their jobs or put job searches on hold, child care teachers lose
their jobs, and the small child care businesses around our city are forced
to close their doors.
Vince Gray said it best himself when he said last week that a tough budget
helps us set our priorities. Join us next week to remind Vince Gray and the
rest of our City Council that Child Care Subsidies should be a PRIORITY!
Cutting these subsidies during a recession makes the situation worse for
thousands of DC families, not better.
If you are interested in testifying at the hearing, attending in support or
getting more information, please call Ben at (202) 234-9119 or respond to
this email by Monday, Nov 29. We need your support!
If you can't attend in person, please call Vince Gray at (202) 724-8032 or
email him at vgray@dccouncil.us to let him know you're watching how he acts
on child care! If you would like any assistance or more information for your
testimony or to contact Vince Gray, please do not hesitate to contact me!
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Ben Parisi
Organizer, Child Care for All Campaign
Empower DC
ben@empowerdc.org
office (202) 234-9119
cell (202) 525-6236
fax (202) 234-6655
1419 V Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
www.empowerdc.org