Important Dates To Know for Government Budget Crisis

STATE BUDGET: Since the national recession began, the state has made nearly $10 billion in cuts. The most current revenue forecast shows that the state may have a further decrease of $1.4 billion.  Governor Gregoire has warned that additional reductions will continue to hurt public health, safety and education programs.
While each of these items are subject to change, here is some information about upcoming important state legislative dates:

• October 24th-Governor Gregoire presents her budget plan recommendations
• November 17th-New budget forecast is released
• November 28th-Washington State Legislature meets for special session (can last as long as 30 days)

NATIONAL BUDGET: The recently established Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction's (referred to as the Congressional “super committee”) goal is to come up with ways to reduce the deficit by $1.5 trillion over fiscal years 2012 through 2021 and in so doing, “provide recommendations and legislative language that will significantly improve the short-term and long-term fiscal imbalance of the Federal government.”

If the Committee cannot agree on a report and legislative language, then across-the-board reductions in spending must be implemented, with annual cuts starting in 2013 – split 50/50 between defense and domestic spending.

While each of these items are subject to change, here is some information about upcoming important national legislative dates:

• October 14: House and Senate committees must transmit to the  Joint Select Committee their “recommendations” for law changes necessary to meet the goal of  Joint Select Committee
• November 23: the  Joint Select Committee must vote on a report which will contain its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, as well as the dollar estimates provided by the Congressional Budget Office, and legislative language in support of those recommendations.
• No less than one month after November 23, if the  Joint Select Committee approves a report and legislative language, it must be voted on by both the Senate and House — without amendments. 

From WSU Extension's Food Sense: Portion Sizes

Portion Size

We hear we need to control our portion sizes but what does that really mean? Here are some examples of a portion according to USDA.

1 serving grains:

• 1⁄2 cup oatmeal 
• 1 cup flake cereal 
• 1⁄2 English muffin 
• 1⁄2 hot dog bun 
• 1⁄2 cup rice or pasta 
• 6 saltine crackers

1 serving vegetables:

• 1⁄2 cup chopped raw vegetables 
• 1 cup leafy greens 
• 1⁄2 cup cooked vegetables

1 serving fruit:

• 1⁄2 cup sliced fruits 
• 1 small apple or orange 
• 1 small banana 
• 1⁄2 cup berries

1 serving dairy:

• 8 ounces milk 
• 8 ounces yogurt 
• 1⁄2 cup ice cream 
• 2 ounces processed cheese 
• 1 1⁄2 ounce hard cheese

1 serving protein

• 3 ounces cooked meat 
• 3 ounces cooked chicken 
• 3 ounces cooked fish 
• 1 ounce nuts

From Food Lifeline: MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONGRESS TODAY!

MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONGRESS TODAY! As you know, our US Senator Patty Murray is co-chairing the federal Joint Committee of 12 Congress members who are in charge of producing a plan to reduce our deficit. The deadline is fast approaching for congressional committees to give their input on that plan to the Joint Committee. They have from now until October 14th. And so do we! Weigh in and tell your member of Congress to ask the Joint Committee to protect hunger relief programs. Unfortunately, our Congressional members are hearing from other voices, such as the Farm Bureau which made a recommendation to cut $10 billion in funding to nutrition programs. During these hard economic times when more and more people are relying on the food that comes from nutrition programs like WIC for mom’s and babies, SNAP (food stamps), and TEFAP, which fills the shelves of our local food banks and meal programs, we cannot allow recommendations like those to be accepted. Send a message to your member of the US Congress today! Urge them to speak up about the serious need for food, and the programs that help get it on the table, when making deficit reduction recommendations to the federal Joint Committee!  CLICK HERE!

Advocacy Opportunities Join the Advocacy Team! more info here.

Call for Applications: Communities Take Root orchard program

The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF) is an award-winning international nonprofit charity dedicated to planting fruitful trees and plants to alleviate world hunger, combat global warming, strengthen communities, and improve the surrounding air, soil, and water.

FTPF and Dreyer's Fruit Bars are planting orchards across the country in a collaborative program called Communities Take Root (CTR). Through this exciting program, communities compete in a nation-wide vote to win a complete community orchard.  FTPF orchards are a wonderful way for communities to grow fresh fruit for the community, beautify neighborhoods, strengthen relationships, and build community food security—all through the simple act of planting fruit trees.

In 2011, twenty communities around the country won orchards for public parks, community gardens, food banks, homeless shelters, and community centers. To see information about this year’s winners, go to: www.communitiestakeroot.com.

We are now inviting applications for 2012. The first 100 qualified applicants will be in the running to win a free orchard, including orchard design, arborist expertise, and a fun community planting event. And, orchard recipients also receive a free community workshop on planting, pruning and caring for fruit trees.

Because your organization works on food issues, I thought I would ask if you would please help us spread the word by forwarding this email and attachment to food banks, community centers, homeless shelters, municipal governments, drop in centers—anyone who could benefit from a free orchard?

Thank you for your help in spreading the word about this exciting community enhancement program.

Robyn du Pré

Director of Outreach and Development

The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation

360-318-7639

www.ftpf.org

“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The next best time is now.”

–Chinese proverb

Help us expand our groundbreaking programs! Consider making a tax-deductible donation today: http://ftpf.org/donation.htm.

You Are Invited! Online Training for Washington Connection Partnerships

You are invited to attend the following online training about Washington Connection Partnership:

        I.            How to Become a Partner (Understanding Partnership)

Thursday October 6, 2011 | 11am – 12pm

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar Seat Now at:https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/588324374

                Agenda

-          What Does it Mean to be Partner?

-          What are the Advantages?

-          Level 1 Host Organization

-          Level 2 Assisting Agency

-          What is the next step?

      II.            How to Set-Up and Use Your Partner Account (CBO Account)

Friday October 7, 2011 | 11am – 12pm

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar Seat Now at:https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/558218534

Agenda

-          Overview of Community Based Organization Account (CBO)

-          How to start an Application for a Client

-          Additional Supervisor Functionality

-          Report Summary Pages

The goal of Washington Connection is to link Washington State residents with vital services and benefits.  The partnership of community organizations is crucial in achieving this goal.  

Materials from the online training will be available on the Washington Connection website in mid October as two tutorials. For those who just need a refresher about the functionality and capabilities of the portal, please check out the current  Tutorial on the Washington Connection website.  

Please direct questions to:

Bill Callahan

Department of Social & Health Services

Community Services Division

Staff Development & Training Manager

Mon., Tues. & Fri. (509) 225-6189

Weds. & Thurs. (360) 725-4619

Gov. Gregoire calls November special session

Gov. Gregoire calls November special session

Asks Legislature to pass budget in special session, support jobs in regular session

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced that she will call legislators in for a special session, beginning Nov. 28, 2011. Her decision comes one week after Dr. Arun Raha, the state’s economist, lowered the state’s revenue forecast for the 2011–13 biennium by $1.4 billion.

“Congressional gridlock, the European debt crisis and high unemployment continue to take their toll on consumer confidence and our state’s economy,” Gregoire said. “Once again, we are facing a budget shortfall and once again I’m calling the Legislature back into special session to address the state’s budget. My only option is across-the-board cuts, and that option is unacceptable. Solving this budget crisis will require the Legislature to act.”

Raha is expecting another negative revenue forecast Nov. 17. Gregoire plans to tackle both negative revenue forecasts in one special session and hopes to finalize a budget with healthy reserves before Christmas. More than one month ago, Gregoire asked state agencies to detail how additional 5 to 10 percent cuts would affect their abilities to serve Washingtonians. She expects agencies to begin delivering those packages today.

If the Legislature approves a budget before the end of special session, Gregoire plans to spend the regular session focusing on policy bills to support job creation and economic growth.

“Let’s get this budget done right in one swoop well before Christmas and then turn our focus to supporting jobs and growing our economy,” Gregoire said.

Since the national recession began, the state has made nearly $10 billion in cuts. Gregoire has warned that additional reductions will continue to hurt public health, safety and education programs.

From Food Lifeline: All Eyes Are On Washington!

Senator Patty Murray's in the spotlight. Speak up now! Washington’s own US Senator Patty Murray was appointed to the new 12 person federal Joint Committee of congress members charged with creating a plan to reduce the federal deficit by approximately $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years. Even prior to the committee’s work, more than 1 trillion dollars in 10 year cuts have already been approved. This drastic decision will lead to overwhelming impacts to necessary hunger-relief programs. We are lucky enough to have our state represented, so let’s make sure we let her know how important food programs are to us! Which programs are in jeopardy? With everything on the chopping block, programs like SNAP (food stamps), WIC, child nutrition programs, TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program), and other basic safety-net services will likely be up for cuts. These programs allow for the most fundamental needs of hungry families and individuals to be met by putting food on the shelves of struggling families, individuals, and the food banks and meal programs that serve them. Send a message! Ask Senator Murray to ensure that support programs for low income Americans, like SNAP and TEFAP, continue to accurately treat the need. The economic recession has caused more families to require food assistance. Now is not the time to cut back on funding and support! Ask her to work towards a balanced package that includes new revenues instead of just safety net cuts. Resolving the deficit should not mean devastating cuts to programs that keep families and individuals fed. Let’s tell Patty Murray know how we feel and strengthen the voices of those that feel the same! Food Lifeline’s Public Policy Manager will be visiting Senator Murray’s office in Washington, DC on September 12th to speak in support of hunger relief programs. Strengthen her voice by sending a message today! CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE!

LEARN MORE ABOUT FLL ADVOCACY! Advocacy Opportunities Join the advocacy Team!