Dozens of Virginia residents on Saturday implored Fairfax County’s state delegates and senators to preserve programs and services facing cuts in Gov. Tim Kaine’s proposed state budget.
Supervisor Jeff McKay, chairman of the board’s legislative committee, reiterated the county’s opposition to a proposed one-year delay in adjusting the state’s composite index, which helps determine how much localities contribute to fund education.
“This cannot be allowed to stand,” he said. “We’ve played by the rules, and we hope the rules will stand this year…freezing the composite index would be unprecedented, unwarranted, and unfair.”
Kaine has also proposed pulling millions from social services in his recently-unveiled biennial budget plan and there were no shortage of speakers lobbying against cuts to programs such as those helping to prevent homelessness and providing services for the underprivileged and disabled.
Some testimony was rather emotional — and personal.
Jane Anthony, co-president of the non-profit Parents and Associations of the Northern Virginia Training Center strongly urged the delegation to continue to provide funding for the area’s most disadvantaged citizens. Her son, 34, functions as a six-month-old, Anthony said.
Lynne Cramer, chairwoman of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Service Board, told the delegation that she’s been in recovery for 16 years for alcoholism and depression. The governor’s proposed budget has been fairly kind to them, she said, but urged the delegation to “hold the line.”
Carol Ann Quarto said that one year ago at this time, her brother hanged himself on his fourth attempt, and lamented that parents are getting involved with substance abuse prevention programs and issues — but after their children have died as a result of those problems.
Some speakers also referenced the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, a federal grant that offers short-term payments and other services to low-income parents. County TANF applications were 44 percent higher in September 2009 than they were in September 2007, according to the county.
