Arkansas Advocates for Children, Fights Cuts to Key Programs

Like most Americans we watched with anxiety and frustration as Congress took America to the brink of economic chaos earlier this summer. The impacts of this ill-considered political tactic have already been felt, and here in Arkansas we have tremendous concerns about the future. From Medicaid to child care to food security, programs that impact everyday Arkansas life face enormous cuts.

A group of nonprofit organizations has been meeting regularly in Arkansas, all with various interests in the cuts we see coming in Arkansas. From groups that work with food insecurity to groups that advocate for the nonprofit sector overall to groups like Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families that have a stake in all low-income programs, this collaborative has begun to implement strategies for engaging our elected leaders. Our message is simple: Cutting discretionary spending and Medicaid means cutting the Arkansas economy.

We have engaged a similar group in Northwest Arkansas, many of whom deal with Medicaid. Public engagement and activism is at a level we have never before seen. Groups want to engage. Where we once had a difficult time getting groups to sign on to our work, we now find it difficult to keep up with the pace of requests. Everyday Arkansans see how cutting the federal budget will affect their lives and their bottom lines.

Another active element to our organizing has been the developments within the faith community. Leaders from all faith traditions see what has happened to their members. Middle-class families find themselves living paycheck-to-paycheck. Those that already struggled now find it impossible to stay current with their financial obligations. Those struggles lead to less stable families and contributors to our society.

Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families began working with ministers earlier this summer to increase understanding of the federal budget—especially as a statement of our society’s values. It is important to meet people where they are, and AACF’s goal is to help more conservative Arkansans better understand what exactly “government spending” means.

Finally we are very excited to start a new project this fall in partnership with students from the Clinton School of Public Service. In April we unveiled our “Thank Taxes” statement. This viral video highlighted the shared investments that benefit everyone. This fall we will continue to expand on that idea, highlighting the benefits we all receive by combining our financial resources for the public good. Good roads and good schools lead to economic development. Without those efforts—funded by taxpayers—our economy will not be able to grow.

It’s a busy time. We encourage everyone to get involved in some effort to help your fellow citizens understand the federal budget. Blindly cutting spending means cutting your local economy. Eliminating spending on Medicaid does not solve the problem of rising health care costs. It does, though, mean your state will likely be forced to divert money from projects you value—like roads and schools—to stabilizing its Medicaid trust fund.