For Immediate Release:
January 29, 2003

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Contact: Lauren Townsend or Barbara DiTullio, 215-569-8220

Citizens for Consumer Justice Decries Bush State of the Union Address as Out of Touch with America's Needs

Administration’s Proposed Stimulus Package Provides No Relief to Pennsylvania 

Philadelphia, PA —The economic stimulus package outlined in the President’s State of the Union Address last night will only worsen Pennsylvania’s budget crisis and will result in drastically reduced services for Pennsylvania’s working families, according to Citizens for Consumer Justice and United for a Fair Economy.

Collectively, most states are experiencing the worst fiscal crisis since World War II, wrestling with budget shortfalls that exceed $180 billion over three years.  Pennsylvania is facing a budget deficit of $500 million to $2 billion dollars according to new findings from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.  The shortfall is threatening funding for education, health care, and basic services. 

 Not only does the White House proposal fail to assist states like Pennsylvania but, adding insult to injury, Bush’s dividend tax cut for will cost the states $4 billion a year.  “The Administration’s proposal robs states and communities of the resources they need to invest in better schools, health care, security, and affordable housing,” said Lauren Townsend, Executive Director of Citizens for Consumer Justice.“The Administration wants to give huge tax cuts to people who make more than $300,000, while states like Pennsylvania are hemorrhaging red ink,” said Townsend. “At a time when our security is threatened and the American economy is failing, the Administration’s plan is grossly irresponsible and out of touch with most Americans’ concerns.”

Citizens for Consumer Justice is nonprofit social change organization working in coalition with other organizations to address critical issues affecting the citizens of Pennsylvania including:  the economic justice and tax reform, health care including prescription drug coverage, insurance reform, corporate accountability, mass transit, and the telecommunications industry.  For more information visit our web site at www.ccjustice.org or call 215-569-8220.

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