Victory in the Stop the Cuts Campaign!

Progressive Tax Legislation Will Ensure that Big Corporations and the Wealthy Pay Their Fair Share

• Thanks to an 11th-hour mobilization by Neighbor to Neighbor activists and our allies in labor, legislation in danger of dying in committee was passed on the last day of the session. This will close several corporate tax loopholes and raise $90 million for the programs you care about.

• The state budget increased funding for the Department of Revenue by $3 million. This could raise up to $45 million in new revenue from corporations and wealthy individuals who are not paying their taxes.

Housing Assistance and Health Care Coverage Have Been Expanded for Low-Income People and their Families

• Health care coverage was expanded to include 36,000 unemployed workers. Funding for the Children’s Medical Security Plan was increased, ensuring coverage for all 15,000 children on the waiting list.

• $2 million was allocated for emergency rental assistance to low-income families.

Welfare Programs Have Been Restored and Expanded for Families & Elderly or Disabled Immigrants

• Emergency assistance for elderly and disabled legal immigrants was restored.

• Education and training for welfare recipients was funded at $19 million – a 70% increase over last year. Also, after a 7-year campaign, education and training will now count towards the work requirement!

Our 2002 Victory Has Resulted in an Unexpected Budget Surplus that Could Restore More Cuts

• Our (Neighbor to Neighbor and labor working together) historic victory in 2002, which closed the capital gains tax loophole, has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in unexpected revenue that can be used to fund services important to you and to working families.