Tulare County Coalition Fights for a Better Budget

Tulare County Coalition Fights for a Better Budget

June 27 - Taking a stand against the governor's proposed budget cuts that call for sacrifices only from the weakest, Tulare County residents, workers and activists staged a mock funeral on Saturday to mourn the state's health safety net on the brink of death.

Announcing the formation of a grass-roots organization called the Invest in Tulare County Community Coalition, (www.investintuarecounty.org) Ed Augustus, Executive Director of the Children's Defense Fund, spoke at a noontime press conference to call on the community to fight the governor's plan to eliminate or drastically cut Healthy Families, CalWORKS, and In-Home Supportive Services for those who rely on homecare support to live with dignity.

Let us tell the governor that we need to raise revenue for the state. He can't just cut off the lifeline of thousands of our state’s most vulnerable residents,

said Augustus.

Other Coalition supporters who spoke at the event that drew 100 participants included: Greg Gomez, who works in the Information Technology for Tulare County and is a member of SEIU Local 521; Graciela Martinez, with the American Friends Service Committee; and Lorena Vera, a member of the California United Homecare Workers.

Visit www.investintularecounty.org for more information.