State Budget Problems Continue To Affect Social Services

Although the nation's attention remains focussed on the slow-motion train crash of the California state budget impasse, similar problems continue to unfold in smaller American states as well.

Perhaps the second most-advanced crisis is in Illinois, where Gov. Quinn has demanded a 50% tax increase, which the legislature has continued to reject in favor of draconian budget cuts. Today, the Chicago Tribune reported that the Governor vetoed what he called an inadequate plan to fund human-services programs, and vowed a renewed push for an income tax increase. The Trib further reports that the governor's move jeopardizes future payments to social-service providers who care for the poor, developmentally disabled, children and seniors, and that social-service providers were previously warned by Quinn that dramatic cuts of 50 percent or more would result if lawmakers didn't come up with more money. "In a statement, Quinn warned that organizations providing services not backed by a court order did so 'at the risk of not being paid.' He said nine organizations have sued stemming from the impasse."

Meanwhile, in the State of New York, things have not reached California-dimensions due to the fact that operations of the State Senate have been shut down, the result of a political and legal fight over which party controls that body, i.e., acts as the majority. With the Senate out of the picture, no legislation is passed at the state level, and the New York Times and other state press continue to report that local services are collapsing, due to a lack of funds usually provided by the state.

The New York Times reported today that some states are cutting back on summer school programs because of their state deficits. The federal stimulus law allocates $100 billion to public education; Secretary of Education Duncan has urged states to use part of their allotment to keep summer schools open, but many states are declining to do so.