Arkansas Half in Ten Coalition Leads State Discussion on Impact of Budget Cuts

Over the past several months, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, or AACF, has been busy advocating for policies that provide kids the best chances for positive outcomes in their lives.

With more and more focus nationally on government spending, a lot of attention has been paid to the idea of a global spending cap. Under a global spending cap, the federal government would be unable to respond to recessions. AACF wrote recently about the underlying concerns about a plan like this. Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families continues to lead this discussion in the state. AACF recently gathered with more than a dozen nonprofit leaders to start to organize our message to our Washington leadership. This convening began to organize local stakeholders to convey the message to our elected officials that we must invest in children and families.

Medicaid is a hot topic in Washington and back in Arkansas, where the Arkansas governor has begun the daunting task of reshaping the system. As the state prepares to deal with these issues, AACF has helped lead a discussion about Medicaid transformation. AACF’s Finish Line Coalition continues to work with elected leaders as they begin to reshape the program. The governor’s office routinely seeks AACF’s advice, especially as it relates to ARKids First—the Arkansas SCHIP program.

Every April we all hear complaints about taxes. As people file with the IRS, the complaints increase. AACF decided to take a different view this year. AACF encouraged people to thank taxes for all they do. From fire stations to zoos to roads, everyone benefits from our shared investment. We all need to do a better job of letting people know exactly how their tax dollars benefit their lives.

In the coming months AACF will continue to work with their congressional delegation and their staffs, connecting them with people across Arkansas that would feel the impact of budget cuts. We have already begun our planning for the release of national and statewide poverty data in the early fall. AACF is looking forward to continuing their work with local and national partners.