crossposted from Orange County Progressive
The poorest and weakest Californians continue to pay for the Governator's lies, reckless tax cuts and irresponsible borrowing. If you're homeless, disabled, or poor, you get a punch in the face. If you're a predatory lender or multinational international, you get multi-billion dollar tax cuts.
One more part of Arnold's savagery became apparent as he vetoed the Department of Public Health’s Domestic Violence Program, which provided $20.4 million for 94 domestic violence shelters and centers.
Last fall, when Orange County Supervisor Chris Norby went to bat for funding the Women's Transitional Living Center, Yvette Cabrera at the Register wrote a great article that talked about the funding dilemmas for one shelter;
We haven't had a break," said Watson. "And, as the economy continues to worsen, we're going to see a lot more of these cases and a lot of women and kids walking through our doors."
So far, the nonprofit hasn't turned anybody away. But the increase in need comes at a time when the center is struggling financially.
The nonprofit lost nearly $400,000 this year when it took a 10 percent cut in state funding and didn't get a federal grant and several foundation grants. That led to layoffs of 17 staff positions, including case managers and child advocates, among others
As anyone working with non-profits can attest, it's been harder and harder for many organizations that serve the neediest to keep their doors open. In a declining economy, every source of revenue dries up - individual contributions, foundations, grants from community development block grants, but the needs continue to escalate in the Great Recession.
Across the state, the loss of state funding will come as a critical blow for shelters.
Arnold might as well just go into the street and start punching women himself.
Stop Family Violence has put together an action page
It's time for California legislators to go back into session and start voting on over-riding the illegal line item vetoes, so the victims of Republican savagery won't have to wait for courts to overturn more Collateral Damage from the WORST GOVERNOR EVER.