Conflicts Grow over Economic Priorities

In this time of crisis, states and local governments are forced to make tough choices, and to do more with less.  Stimulus aid to states is estimated to be only 40% of what they need, and as mentioned here in the past, front-line offices are understaffed as needy populations swell.

I'm trying to put all this out of mind on this unusually balmy Friday afternoon here in Boston (it's 58 degrees!), but here's what's happening around the country, as we face this growing economic crisis together.  I think it's important to cover protest, rallies and points of conflict so we know what our fellow Americans, especially our low-income brethren, are going through as we struggle with our own economic insecurity.

The showdown in the South grows over whether or not governors will accept stimulus funds to assist the unemployed.  The governors, heads of some of the poorest states in the nation, may engage in some political wrangling to prevent their legislatures from overriding their decisions.  The issue at hand is that these states will likely have to change their likely punitive eligibility rules so more unemployed can qualify for the funds.  It's my understanding that these changes would be temporary; regardless, the unemployed are becoming increasingly furious over what looks like political posturing at their expense.  This is a story we'll have to keep our eyes on as it develops.

Slightly West and North in Arizona, small protests have erupted over potential budget cuts affecting the developmentally disabled.  Legislators in Nevada are gearing up for a similar "fallout" over mental health cuts.  Both states are examples of housing markets so far gone that Obama's plan will have little to no impact.

In OR, unemployed is reaching double digits.  State hospital workers protested wage cuts and suggested furloughs, citing already understaffed hospitals as dangerous.  In MO, Republicans blocked the Democratic governor's proposal to expand health insurance for kids, shortly after hundreds rallied in support of the bill.

Finally, in NJ, officials are considering cutting property tax rebates even further, though those for seniors would be kept.  Especially disappointing is the legislation's consideration of suspending a fee of less than 3% on commercial developers to fund affordable housing.  If ever there was a time for more affordable housing and for the work needed to build it, it's now.

(Photo by Oxfam International.  I have a much easier time finding anti-poverty protest images from overseas.  What does that say about us?  Or my search skills?)