Friday, 23 October 2009
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month Series: "Bill" to Restore Domestic Violence Funding, Is it a Band-
Hello Readers,
Happy Friday! I hope all of you are having a great time today and you have interesting things going on in your life thus far! I am glad that I've been able to spotlight Domestic Violence programs and stories so that someone that reads my blogs are helped or inspired to do more in the community. Today, I want to discuss a new bill that has everyone in California chatting, "Is it Just a Band-Aid?"
According to the Times-Standard (Eureka and California's northcoast), "After months of political bickering in the state Senate, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill Wednesday that will restore $16.3 million of state funding to support domestic violence shelters.
Image Credit: Photobucket "secretagentex"
Sounds Fair right?
The emergency legislation would restore funding to 94 domestic violence shelters and centers around California. But check this... The funding had previously been eliminated by Schwarzenegger as a line-item veto!
Humboldt Domestic Violence Services (HDVS) Executive Director Sharon Harper said the funding is welcome, but it's not a permanent solution. The restored funding only accounts for 80 percent of the funding from last year, with another 10 percent being used for the administrative cost to distribute the funds, she said.”This isn't a complete restoration,” Harper said. “It's a Band-Aid at this point because it's only good for this year.”
According to the Times Standard, "The emergency status of the bill will allow the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) to begin administering the funds immediately. CalEMA spokesman Jay Alan said the agency hopes to get the funding distributed quickly."”We're hoping to get funds to agencies within days and weeks, not weeks and months," he said."
The bill will be borrowing from a special gas tax fund for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. This Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Fund and will be paid back with interest by June 30, 2013.
When the governor cut the funding earlier this year, HDVS loss 40 percent of its funding, most of which went toward the nonprofit's safe house. HDVS had to lay off three full-time employees and has had to rely on more volunteers to maintain services.
WOW!
”We really can't hire back staff because we'd only be hiring them until June, and I think that's really cruel to a person,” Harper said. “We've trained some new volunteers. We're hoping they'll be able to fill in some of the gaps.”
Senate, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger acknowledges that are permanent solution is needed, but due to limited funds this is the solution as of now.
”I am proud to sign this bipartisan legislation that is good news for every Californian whose life is devastated by violence in the home and will help ensure domestic violence victims have a safe place to go,” he said in a statement from his office. “And I encourage the Legislature to continue looking for a permanent funding solution of this important program so domestic violence shelters aren't faced with the same uncertainty.”
State Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, who originally authored and introduced the bill, said the cuts never should have happened in the first place.
”Until we eliminate domestic violence, funding for shelters should never be on the chopping block,” said Yee in a statement from his office. “While I am pleased that the governor finally helped restore this funding, I am still dismayed that he would put women and children at risk in the first place. It is unacceptable to force victims into a choice between homelessness and returning to their abuser.”
Harper said struggles over funding has just made it more difficult for HDVS to operate, and she hopes to garner a steady funding solution in the future. For now, the nonprofit is hoping the generosity of its community helps out.
”We're hoping to get together with some really creative-thinkers to come up with something, something that's sustainable,” she said.
My thoughts...
Hopefully many shelters, including the ones in California, will receive the funding they need to stay a float. It is saddening and frustrating to see many shelters and domestic violence resources cut due to lack of funding. As people, we should be concerned with the our citizens safety and try and find a way to help all the people in need. This problem, Domestic Violence, will not end, it will only get worse if we don't do something about it.For more information about the new "bill" dealing w/ Domestic Violence, click here.
What are your thoughts?
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