In this month's column, I offer some thoughts on two ballot propositions and the relief work taking place in the hurricane-affected Gulf States. I'll begin with the ballot….
A tech expert I know has a great saying: "Computers make very fast, very accurate mistakes." Why? Because decisions are based on input that follows preset rules. The computer will do what the input tells it --- that just might not be what the user intended.
Prop 76 on the November 8 ballot follows a similar vein. It triggers certain actions when preset conditions occur. It only takes into account the input --- not the intention --- of the users, who in this case are the people of California. It aims for fiscal responsibility --- an admirable goal --- but its predetermined path may not be what voters really want.
Under Prop 76 California governors would be able to declare a fiscal emergency whenever they wanted, and additional spending limits (many are already in place) would be put on budgets if revenue forecast were off by only 1.5 percent. Such a margin of error is extremely small --- akin to fortune telling in some circles.
About 80 percent of California's budget is preset by past initiatives and legislation --- no new discretion is involved. Much of health and human services spending --- which supports the poor and vulnerable in our state --- is in the non-programmed 20 percent.
When cuts need to be made, where do you think they will be made?
History has shown that all too often programs for the poor and vulnerable are the first cut. First, because they are on the discretionary list; and second, because few people stand up for the poor in Sacramento. Catholic Charities' concern with Prop 76 is not its goal of fiscal responsibility --- we fully support that --- but the introduction of more autopilot functions in the budget.
For instance, one of the first automatic cuts is expected to be in assistance to aged and disabled people. They could see their $779 monthly assistance reduced by $150 per month when new limits are imposed by a governor or an inaccurate forecast.
Responding to a 1991 fiscal crisis, California shifted responsibility for programs such as mental health and child protective services to counties. Funding from the state for those critical programs could also be among the first cut.
Fiscal responsibility is critical for people, organizations and governments. As non-profit agencies, for example, Catholic Charities must carefully steward resources in order to continue serving clients.
We should accept no less from every branch and every level of government. Instead of putting decisions on autopilot, let's demand more accountability from elected officials.
Prop 73 is another critical question on the ballot. Simply put, should parents know if their daughter is contemplating an abortion?
People overwhelmingly support such a common sense proposal. It affirms the vital bond of parent and child. And it empowers families, be they poor or rich, to take an active role in the life of children.
Prop 73 requires that parents be notified 48 hours prior to a minor receiving an abortion. It places faith in the parent-child relationship, but also recognizes that sometimes such communication isn't possible and provides for exceptions.
Existing law says that the teen's judgment or that of a doctor, counselor or abortion provider supercedes that of a parent or guardian. Under this interpretation, a child as young as 12 years old has a "right to privacy" that prevails over every other matter including the love and compassion of parents.
However, that same teen can't go on a field trip without a parent's permission, can't get her ears pierced, and can't go to a tanning salon. The law says that a minor teenager cannot be trusted to make the responsible choice on these matters, but she can be trusted with the decision to undergo an abortion.
Which will have the greater long-term impact on her life?
As a final, unrelated note, let me brag a little about Catholics' response to the disasters in the Gulf States. Catholic Charities, schools and healthcare around the nation have responded to the hurricanes in remarkable fashion.
Thousands of refugees have found their way to California, not with government help, but via family, churches and friends. And they have been welcomed with shelter, jobs, schooling, medical care and more by virtually every ministry of our Church.
When you count the thousands of evacuees in California, add it to the work done by many other organizations, then multiply it by fifty states, you can get some idea of the magnitude of the need and the assistance provided.
As faithful citizens, we must respond to the exceptional disasters --- like hurricanes --- and the "routine" matters of governance such as elections with our moral and ethical values of compassion, love and care. Steve Pehanich is the executive director of Catholic Charities of California. He supports public policy and other initiatives for the 12 Catholic Charities agencies in the state.
|