DeMorning DeBonis: July 13, 2010
FEWER STICKS, MORE CARROTS -- At Poverty & Policy, Kathryn Baer rails against David Catania's proposal to punish parents for their children's truancy. "[T]he proposal is grounded in the notion that a large number of parents just shrug their shoulders when they're told their kids didn't show up for classes. If we wield a big enough stick, they'll act on the problem. What, I wonder, are poor parents supposed to do. Even if they've got the time and wherewithal for transportation to take their kids to school, what can they do to make sure they'll stay there? If they tell their kids how important it is to get an education, will those given to truancy listen? Catania's plan won't just punish parents for behavior they probably can't control. It will punish all the children in the family."
I strongly agree with Kathyrn Baer and Jonathan Smith's opposition to Catania outrageous threat to introduce a bill to throw welfare families into the street because of truancy. What is not being raised is the harsh reality of being poor in DC, with TANF 60% of the federal poverty level (go to DC Fiscal Policy Institute for documentation). Could it be that with higher Metro/bus fares many families simply don't have the money to send their children to school regularly, especially since Fenty/Rhee closed 23 neighborhood public schools? Further, as Mai Abdul Rahman showed in her piece in NorthWest Current (June 30,2010), District government hasn't taken advantage of federal funding for subsidizing transportation for low income folk (Job Access and Reverse Commute and the United We Ride programs). What a shame and how typical!
Meanwhile, here is a sad commentary on the Council’s misplaced priorities: they cut $1.3 million in Adult Education in the FY2011 budget (compared to FY2010) and wiped out Emergency Rental Assistance entirely - in a depression for so many residents no less - while they voted 8 to 5 to defeat a very modest tax hike for wealthy residents (the Graham amendment) that would have avoided the new hurtful budget cuts and helped to partially restore the $50 million for affordable housing and other essential needs already cut in the FY 2010 budget. Both incumbent At-Large Council candidates, Mendelson and Catania voted for no tax hike for wealthy residents but did vote for new regressive fees that have the heaviest burden on low income residents. Have they no shame? For more go to davidschwartzman.com.
David Schwartzman
DC Statehood Green Party Candidate for At-Large Council
Posted by: dschwartzman | July 13, 2010 4:25 PM |
Correction: The Emergency Rental Assistance Program was not “wiped out”, but rather reduced by $1.3 million in the FY 2011 Budget, a 15% cut, leaving $7.4 million. This cut will reduce potential benefits in this program in an economic crisis generating more need, not less.* Again Shame on the Mayor and Councilmembers who voted against a modest tax hike on the wealthy that would have prevented this and other cuts in our survival budget.
* Source: DC Fiscal Policy Institute. I apologize for misreading their assessment of the FY 2011 Budget and other material.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/debonis/2010/07/demorning_debonis_july_...
