State
Maine service cuts called likely
Health and Human Services Commissioner Brenda Harvey told a committee that oversees her department that it's not clear yet exactly which services will be cut or how deep the reductions will be.
The Portland Press Herald says lawmakers must cut $30 million from the current budget, and human services must absorb $9 million of that total.
Lagging state revenues are creating an overall budget gap of $300 million to $400 million. On Friday, Gov. John Baldacci is expected to issue an order to stop to state spending until the budget can be modified.
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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com
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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest
verified Before we start cutting DHS
Before we start cutting DHS funds, let's get rid of ALL corporate welfare, all the TIF's, BETR's and other corporate giveaway's. Then we can talk about making people suffer, but that might be necessary, but let's get rid of all the corporate welfare first.
verified Tron, TIF's are local tax
Tron, TIF's are local tax breaks and do not change the amount the state collects. Corporate welfare is a myth, it does not exist. The State never takes money from individuals and transfers that money to companies. When the State gives money to companies, it is for a service or product, the State gets something in return.
Make the cuts deep and
Make the cuts deep and permanent.
verified A family friend worked as an
A family friend worked as an investigator for DHS back in the '80s investigating for fraud and dead beat dads. He had 5 people under him at one point. By the early '90s, his staff was cut and his caseload doubled. He has long since retired, but has stories and lessons. The staffing cuts often come first from those responsible for investigating, reporting, and preventing fraud. Making it easier for people to qualify for job placement assistance, education and training would get more people off assistance and back into paying jobs sooner. Where these jobs will come from is still a mystery, but the pride in the accomplishment of getting a much needed GED or training can be a real boost to people's morale. Is birth control covered by MaineCare yet? Some people have said that those unemployed that are capable could run a community garden which could help offset food costs, who knows how plausable that would be.
How can the revenue be
How can the revenue be plunging?
Barry has it ALL figured out!
You mean it's not working? Huh, imagine that.
The opaque (and NOT transparent) president, know-it-all, screw-up it all, liar-of-all's, plan isn't working? But Botswana Barry is so confident, are you telling me he is just arrogant and a narcissist? Say it isn't so!
Finally, a little good news!
Finally, a little good news! DHHS is too big and wasteful. Making cases to justify their jobs.
I know a person who pleads mental problems, who told me it's easy to fake and proceeded to tell how. Right now he has a job under the table, collects from DHHS and has over a million. He came to this state from Mass with nothing. On top of that I know a few that should be working that don't. It's to easy to collect. Lets cut the benifits in half and watch the divorce rate cut in half also.
verified Very serious. Many people
Very serious. Many people are being hurt by these cuts. But Maine is in better shape than most states that are increasing taxes and cutting programs. Pew has identified 11 states in serious trouble and Maine isn't one of them.
Jon Albrecht Dixfield
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