The ACLU of MAINE generally doesn't weigh in on budget allocations, but we do take a position when politicians use the budget to discriminate or to enact laws that infringe upon people's fundamental civil rights and civil liberties. The Governor’s budget contains multiple provisions that are worrisome from a civil rights perspective.
http://www.mejp.org/PDF/budget.pdf
On Monday our allies have organized a rally against the budget cuts to MaineCare, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and General Assistance for 9:30 am at the Statehouse in the Hall of Flags, Augusta. See:
http://www.mejp.org/PDF/rally.pdf
The hearing on the budget will follow immediately at 10 am.
Among other things, the budget:
· Eliminates eligibility for MaineCare, TANF, Food Supplement and SSI benefits for legal immigrants first five years of residency in Maine.
· Requires any parent that has been convicted of a drug-related felony to show proof of ongoing drug testing in order to be eligible to receive TANF for their family.
· Implements sanctions against the entire family, including children, if a parent does not fully comply with TANF/ASPIRE program rules.
It is wrong to punish children for the actions of their parents. Random drug testing of aid recipients violates their fundamental right to privacy. Finally, we should not turn our backs on refugees and asylum seekers fleeing war and famine in their home countries by refusing them food and basic healthcare here.
Fired up? Join fellow Mainers in standing up for the most vulnerable among us at the rally on Monday in Augusta.