Funding is a top challenge for Howard?s human services organizations, and many groups are concerned they will see less funding in the face of a state deficit.
“What happens on the state level will trickle down to the local level,” said Anne Towne, executive director for the Association of Community Services, a network of human services organizations in Howard.
The association outlined challenges, such as funding and staff recruitment, based on a member survey, according to its annual position paper released this week.
The organization also outlined priorities divided into three categories, each with several recommendations:
» Access to services, including a revision of Howard?s affordable housing policies and expansion of funding for adult literacy programs;
» Human services, such as a study of nonprofit salaries;
» Fundraising options, including increased private sector investments.
The paper guides the organization?s work for the year, particularly in advocacy, said Roy Appletree, the association?s board president.
Fiscal year 2009 will be more difficult because of the $1.5 billion state deficit. “It is likely that the state will cut some funding to the counties as part of its balancing efforts,” the paper states.
The organization hasn?t taken a position on Gov. Martin O?Malley?s tax plans, but the organization favors the least regressive way to increase revenue, Towne said.
“ACS supports public revenue mechanisms that are fair, non-regressive, and have the least impact on low- and middle-income working families and individuals,” the position paper says. A regressive tax applies equally to every taxpayer, but results in a higher portion coming from low-income residents than from high earners.
Howard Del. Frank Turner, D-District 13, who spoke on a panel at the association?s meeting this week, said he hoped the impact of the state tax proposals on local governments would be minimal.
