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Protect Needy From More Cuts

Wisconsin State Journal :: OPINION :: A16

Thursday, September 9, 2004
David Relles

In February, Dane County voters defeated the proposed casino by an almost 2-1 margin. Like me, those 93,530 voters were not saying "no" to human services; they were only saying "no" to a casino in Dane County.

Since that vote, I have attended a town hall meeting on human services and other forums, where I have met with those who receive services in Dane County and their advocates, as well as with political leaders who make funding decisions. In 2004, about $7 million in cuts were made to services for our most vulnerable citizens here in Dane County. These cuts came on top of many years of already inadequate funding. Among those whose 2004 services were cut were people with severe disabilities, abused children and the frail elderly. As a result of these cuts, human services providers have stretched themselves to their limits in order to continue to provide essential care.

Today I understand why Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk was so passionate in asking voters to approve a casino, so that much-needed human services could be provided. But this is what I don't understand: Isn't the need for those same services still here today?

Why are human service providers are being asked to cut their budgets again this year? Falk has directed that the Department of Human Services reduce their budget by almost $2 million for 2005.

It is not our community's top 10 ratings for bicyclists or joggers or canoeists that make us most proud. It is not the new and improved Camp Randall Stadium or Monona Terrace, or having a commuter-rail system. These accomplishments help us to enjoy a wonderful quality of life. However, I hope that these ratings and structures are not the only things that make us proud to live here. To truly earn our civic pride, we also need to be known as a community that takes care of citizens who rely upon us to keep them safe and healthy -- those with disabilities, children, and the elderly -- those who often cannot speak for themselves.

Dane County citizens are lucky to have an incredibly dedicated, smart and caring group of people who have provided these services year after year, often on shoestring budgets, providing taxpayers with excellent return for their dollars. These people provide safe and humane care that will be seriously compromised if they are required to continue operating on shrinking budgets.

Dane County human services have reached a point of severe distress. Concerned citizens from both sides of the political aisle have formed a grassroots organization called Save Our Services, SOS-Dane.

SOS-Dane is a diverse and bipartisan group of citizens, organizations, and political leaders representing thousands of people in Dane County. We have joined together to fight for adequate funding of Dane County Human Services. SOS-Dane believes that the Dane County budget should not be balanced on the backs of the people who most need our help. Residents who care about these people need to let county leaders know that they are willing to do what it takes.

To learn more about the current status of Dane County Human Services and how you can help with this grassroots effort, visit: www.sosdane.org

\ Former anti-casino activist Relles is a member of SOS-Dane.