Groups Say Obama Budget in Best Interest of West Virginians
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March 24, 2009
Charleston, WV - A coalition of union, professional, grassroots and advocacy groups are hailing the president's proposed budget for what it will do for struggling West Virginians.
Gary Zuckett, executive director of West Virginia Citizen Action, says the health care, education and renewable energy proposals are good for the state. The budget will help return fairness to the tax system, and get control of deficits, he adds.
"It represents a significant down-payment on health care reform, more money into Pell grants, Headstart and preschool programs, money to start weaning ourselves from foreign energy, and developing green energy alternatives."
Some groups are opposing the budget because it changes the status quo of recent years, claims Zuckett.
"They want to keep farm subsidies coming to major corporations and money flowing to send more American jobs overseas. But, we think President Obama's budget will return fairness to our tax code and it will take control of federal deficits."
West Virginia Citizen Action members see the budget as the kind of policy people voted for in the last election, according to Zuckett.
"These are working people who voted for change in November last year and want to see that change happen."
Congressional republicans are criticizing the budget, including Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), who said it could bankrupt the country.
The group plans a press conference, in concert with the AFL-CIO, the American Friends Service Committee, among others, to announce the West Virginia Campaign to Rebuild and Renew.org today at 12:30 p.m. in the Governor's Reception Room at the state capitol.