By Sister Marge Clark, NETWORK
NETWORK – social justice advocates, inspired by Catholic sisters – applauds the "People's Budget" released by the Congressional Progressive Caucus today. At its core, the CPC funding priorities mirror NETWORK's policy vision to "Mend the Gaps" in wealth and income, as well as gaps in access to democracy, healthcare, citizenship, and housing.
"Of the budgets we've seen coming from Congress," said Sister Marge Clark BVM, Senior Government Relations Advocate, "the People's Budget most closely aligns to NETWORK’s policy vision. While not perfect, other policymakers could learn from the Progressive Caucus' commitment to mend the gaps in our society."
Following is a summary of parallels between the CPC People’s Budget and NETWORK’s policy vision to Mend the Gaps:
NETWORK believes current tax policy is a major contributor to the wealth gap, and tax policy must raise reasonable revenue and provide relief for people experiencing poverty. The People’s Budget calls for:
- taxing profits from investments at the same rate as income from work;
- increasing investment in America’s economic growth by those with incomes above a million dollars a year;
- implementing and improving tax benefits for workers earning low and moderate wages, including expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit;
- raising revenue through corporate taxes by ending biased overseas investment;
- ending tolerance toward overseas investment, limiting corporate tax “deferral” to avoid paying US taxes;
- creating a financial transaction tax;
- establishing an excise tax on financial institutions; and
- reducing waste in corporate loopholes including deductions for meals, entertainment, private jets, and placing limitations on untaxed stock options for executives.
NETWORK advocates for a Living Wage: empowering workers through higher wages by increases in the minimum wage. The People’s Budget supports:
- enacting the WAGE Act;
- ending state-based right-to-work;
- increasing federal pay by 4%;
- promoting bargaining power through the Workplace Democracy Act; and
- creating more well-paying jobs to push our economy back to full employment.
NETWORK supports Family-Friendly Workplace Protections so that all workplaces can be supportive of their workers. The People’s Budget promotes:
- providing up to seven days of paid sick leave through the Healthy Families Act;
- funding state initiatives to encourage paid family leave; and
- increasing Head Start and Child Care and Development Block Grants to give parents security for their children while they are at work.
NETWORK sees access to Democracy for all people as critical to having everyone participate in society. The People’s Budget raises up:
- improving the federal sentencing and corrections systems to reduce racism and classism in our justice system, including passing the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2015;
- funding robust Civil Legal Aid programs; and
- increasing funding for Voter Protections to promote the intent of the original Voting Rights Act
- combatting Citizens United through public financing of elections
NETWORK continues to support enhancements of the Affordable Care Act to reduce racial disparities in health and increase access to healthcare for all. The People’s Budget proposes:
- permitting the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate prescription drug prices;
- extending the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP); and
- investing in robust mental health funding to support the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
NETWORK calls for repair of our nation’s broken immigration system. The People’s Budget calls for:
- passing comprehensive immigration reform;
- providing assistance to border communities to meet their economic and security needs, rather than focusing solely on border enforcement; and
- helping immigrants integrate into U.S. society and to become entrepreneurs, small business owners, and future job creators.
NETWORK supports safe and affordable housing for all. The People’s Budget is committed to:
- increasing funding for Community Development Block Grants and the HOME Program to provide additional units of housing available for vouchers;
- adopting President Obama’s mandatory spending program to end homelessness by 2020; and
- funding the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to ensure families can remain in their homes safely during inclement weather.