SPECIAL ALERTS-STATE-2012

Governor's Budget Continues Troubling Cuts Only

SALT is working with the Better Choice for Virginia (BCV) Coalition in Richmond. We are very distressed by the constant drum beat for cuts to state services for low and moderate income Virginians, particularly coming on top of the cuts that have already been implemented over the last few years.

BCV is working on organizing a broad based coalition of Virginia organizations, trade groups, cities and towns, and businesses around the idea that we need, at the state level, a balanced approach to our economic crisis - one that includes new revenue to meet the growing need for state services and infrastructure brought on by this recession.

Trend Widening Loopholes and Cutting Critical Investments Rather than Investing in the Future

Governor McDonnell's budget continues a cuts only approach to dealing with Virginia's current challenges. Rather than reform costly loopholes baked into our tax code, the Governor proposes to widen them.

Loopholes like the long term care insurance tax credit, the domestic production deduction, the private school tax credit, the research and technology tax credit, and the small business tax credit merely continue down the same tired path of more cuts and loopholes.

A recent JLARC study estimated the costs of loopholes at $12.6 billion annually.

New loopholes and the failure to reform the scores of inefficient loopholes already on the books, combined with further cuts to education and healthcare represents the wrong choice for Virginia.

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PROTECT OUR VOTE

SALT enthusiastically joins and supports the Protect our Vote Coalition group that is being formed with the aim of defeating two bills--SB 1 and HB9.

WHY: To Defeat Virginia Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 9

Background: State governments across the country have suddenly enacted an array of new laws and policies that make it harder to vote. This wave of changes will affect the terrain for the 2012 elections. Already, it is clear that these new laws could make it significantly harder for more than five million eligible voters to cast ballots in 2012.

Virginia has entered the fray. SB 1 and HB 9 have been introduced in the 2012 General Assembly session. SB 1 would eliminate voters from using their state issued voter registration card as an approved form of ID.

Both SB 1 and HB 9 would require voters to cast a provisional, not an official ballot if they did not bring an approved ID. Concerned groups across Virginia are joining forces to form the NON-PARTISAN Coalition to Protect Our Vote.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Dr. Kim Allen, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 

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STATEWIDE EITC COALITON-TOP PRIORITY

SALT is working with the Statewide EITC Coalition. We are very encouraged. We are pleased to join the Coalition in making the EITC extension one of our top SALT priorities.

The best news we've heard about the budget since its release--The Governor's budget proposal released on Monday includes $7 million in FY2012 to maintain conformity with the federal enhancements to the EITC.

We will need your continued support to successfully protect our state's Earned Income Tax Credit!

SALT Priority #6: Support of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - SALT is in support of the EITC, the extension of important targeted tax relief for working Virginia families in the FY 2013 budget. Key elements of our state’s EITC will expire without legislative action in the coming session.

Expirations would result in a substantial tax increase for over 114,000 working families throughout the state. Given the proven track record of the EITC to incentivize work and provide targeted relief to working families, we believe an extension of these provisions is critical for strengthening and supporting families; failure to support the EITC will most certainly undermine families in the Commonwealth.  

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PREVENT UNREASONABLE CHARGES IN INMATE TELEPHONE RATES

Restore authority of State Corporation Commission to promote competition and prevent unreasonable charges in inmate telephone service, and to establish rates, terms, and conditions without regard to the extent of revenues shared by the service provider with the Commonwealth. Va. Code 56-234. In today’s economy, these charges act as a substantial deterrent to continued communications and support provided to family members, particularly those incarcerated in remote facilities. (Nebraska, for example, has waived its right to receive commissions for inmate telephone calls. )

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TANF BAN OPT OUT

SENATE BILL NO. __________ HOUSE BILL NO. __________

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 63.2-607.1, relating to TANF eligibility; drug-related felonies.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 63.2-607.1 as follows:

§ 63.2-607.1. Eligibility for TANF; drug-related felonies.

A person who is otherwise eligible to receive TANF assistance shall be exempt from the application of § 115(a)(1) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, and shall not be denied such assistance solely because he has been convicted of a felony offense of possession of a controlled substance in violation of § 18.2-250, provided such person complies with, or has already complied with, all obligations imposed by the criminal court and the Department; is actively engaged in or has completed a substance abuse treatment program; and participates in periodic drug screenings.

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SALT Opposes

SB 83 - Drug Screening for Medicaid Recipients Requires that all citizens applying for Medicaid TANF(Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) monies be evaluated for suspected drug use before receiving their aid and submit to a drug test if there is cause to believe they are using illegal substances. Just like many of Virginia's employers require of their employees