Alabama legislative budget hearings have begun in Montgomery for the FY 2016 state budget. Governor Robert Bentley proposed a $541 million tax increase proposal to address the budget shortfall, but the Alabama Department of Mental Health issued an impact statement should the tax proposal not be passed and no other new revenues are identified. The $35 million reduction in state dollars for the Department of Mental Health would result in a $1.4 million cut for WellStone Behavioral Health. That represents over a 10% reduction in WellStone’s overall funding and would result in a significant loss of jobs and services to children and adults in Madison County who experience a mental illness. The public is encouraged to contact local legislators and encourage them to protect and enhance funding for mental health in Alabama. Below is a link to contact your local Representatives and Senators, links to local media stories about the threat of cuts for WellStone, and several links to articles from news outlets across the state.
Contact your Legislators at: http://www.madisoncountylegislativeoffice.com/Home.html
Local Stories:
- WAFF Wednesday, April 8, 2015 Massive cuts loom amidst state budget crisis http://www.waff.com/story/28752878/massive-cuts-loom-amidst-state-budget-crisis
- WAAY Wednesday, April 8, 2015 Mental health cuts from state could force 14,000 patients to lose care http://www.waaytv.com/appnews/mental-health-cuts-from-state-could-force-patients-to-lose/article_045e4f78-de61-11e4-8dad-c3d36640d52c.html
Statewide Stories:
- http://www.alreporter.com/archives/archive-2014/march-2014/146-state/7563-admh-commissioner-predicts-collapse-of-state-mental-health-system-under-proposed-legislative-budget-cuts.html
- Anniston Star Thursday, April 9, 2015 Alabama agency leaders predict stark outcome if austerity budget passes http://www.annistonstar.com/news/alabama-agency-leaders-predict-stark-outcome-if-austerity-budget-passes/article_f917f82c-de4b-11e4-9872-574521bd1f92.html
- Times Daily Thursday, April 9, 2015 Bentley paints dire picture of state without new revenue http://www.timesdaily.com/news/local/bentley-paints-dire-picture-of-state-without-new-revenue/article_d3d3477c-2511-5d51-acc6-8420246a8a42.html
- AL.com Wednesday, April 8, 2015 Gov. Bentley: 8 ways Alabama will suffer if lawmakers don’t pass $541M tax increase http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2015/04/gov_bentley_8_ways_alabama_wil.html
- Montgomery Advertiser Wednesday, April 8, 2015 Agency heads: Cuts will have consequences http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/politics/southunionstreet/2015/04/08/agency-heads-cuts-will-consequences/25485331/
- WBMA Wednesday, April 8, 2015 Mental Health leaders fear budget cuts, push for Bentley’s tax increases http://www.abc3340.com/story/28744545/mental-health-leaders-fear-budget-cuts-push-for-bentleys-tax-increases
- WIAT Wednesday, April 8, 2015 Bentley warns of major service cuts if taxes aren’t raised http://wiat.com/2015/04/08/bentley-warns-of-major-service-cuts-if-taxes-arent-raised/