|
 |
News Who We Are What We Do Events Where to Get Help Get Involved Shape Public Policy The 2006 legislative session ended after 164 days, with 1453 bills introduced, 438 passing (30%), 395 enacted and 43 vetoes. It was a session marked not only by its length, but by protracted and divisive deliberation, limited public input on the budget, no final resolution on English language learners or immigration, and an 11th hour rush to compromise on tax cuts and the budget. For AFW and MAN the session began with a modest agenda: support community partners advocating for legislation which protects victims and holds abusers accountable, and focus AFW’s advocacy efforts on both the shelter turn-away issue and avoiding cuts to programs providing “safety-net” services to victims and their families. Inclusion of $2.8 million in the Governor’s State of the State, her budget proposal, and the final budget passed by the legislature was a significant victory for the Foundation. The ultimate budget resolution may be viewed as a political victory for both sides with the legislative leadership getting the largest tax cuts in history and the Governor getting significant investments in education and infrastructure. Without the Governor’s leadership, funding for “safety-net” services would have been totally neglected. AFW and a number of partners worked hard to generate support for the Governor’s budget- especially the $2.8 million for increased domestic violence shelter beds. This victory was tempered by the inclusion of a budget footnote providing that 25% of funds must be directed to “faith-based” programs. MAN supported the Courts and Judge Joseph Heilman in an effort to obtain cross-jurisdictional orders of protection legislation, but the bill ultimately died due to in-fighting among stakeholders, a dynamic that has repeatedly played out over the last decade. All parties agree that a brokered settlement must occur prior to the next session in order for meaningful legislation addressing this issue to pass. Although the session just ended, it is already time to begin to identify next steps for election debates and next years budget! |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
