Small revenue increase dwarfed by $10 billion in cuts
updated February 16, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2012

Small revenue increase dwarfed by $10 billion in cuts 

In response to today's revenue forecast showing a small increase of $96 million, the Our Economic Future coalition, including over 150 organizations dedicated to providing quality community services and rebuilding our economy, released the following statement:

"A small revenue increase is good news, but it is dwarfed by the cuts our families have already suffered. We are still falling short on funding vital community services, and the shortfall is shortchanging our future. This forecast doesn't fix the devastating effects of four years of recession and $10 billion in cuts to education, health care and public safety.

Good schools, healthy families and safe neighborhoods don't just happen; they are the result of intentional policy decisions. When our representatives decide to write the budget, we hope they remember to put families first. The costs of sending our children to the emergency room, leaving seniors without access to medication, or putting people with mental illness out on the streets are far more harmful to our communities than paying a little bit more in taxes.

Lawmakers should raise immediate revenue and move forward with short and long-term reforms that will make our revenue system stable and fair. Start by reforming the tax break system with automatic expiration dates and then pass a capital gains tax to ensure that the rich pay their fair share."

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