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News Release: June 6, 2002

State’s Fiscal Crisis

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: REV. Dr. Diane Kessler - 617-523-2771

In a letter sent to all members of the state Senate yesterday, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, Rev. Dr. Diane Kessler, acknowledged the genuine dilemmas prompted by the state’s fiscal crisis. Kessler said, “the Massachusetts Council of Churches is well aware of the difficult choices Senators face as they consider FY2003 state budget proposals in the coming days. The important decisions you will make go a long way toward defining who we are as a responsible, humane and caring community. Therefore, in the case of the current budget policy-making, there is no other option than to be on the side of those in greatest need.” Kessler urged all members of the Senate “to exercise fairness and compassion in making budgetary decisions: fairness---so that low and moderate-income families and individuals are not affected disproportionately by any tax increase that may be considered; compassion----so that vital programs that are the lifeblood of the poor and vulnerable are protected.” In subsequent comments, she observed that, based on an initial reading, the proposals of the Senate Ways and Means Committee appear to seek such a balance.

Kessler concluded “Americans tend to feel deep wellsprings of compassion when we see pictures of starving children on foreign shores. The sad truth is that we do not have to look that far to see hunger and homelessness. Whatever choices our legislators make should not add to the burden faced by the poorest among us.” The Massachusetts Council of Churches, in concert with other colleagues in the religious and human services communities, will continue to press for this aim, and to affirm responsible and compassionate legislative leadership during these demanding fiscal times.

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