NAMI North Carolina

309 W. Millbrook Rd. Suite 121, Raleigh, NC 27609*919/788-0801

Heard in the Halls

5-14-03

After passing versions of the state budget, the House and Senate leadership are working not only on resolving differences between the budgets, but also on how to fund the state budget. Recent revenue projections suggest that the state may be receiving up to $400 million less in revenues than was anticipated. How to make up that shortfall is a major focus of discussion. Without additional revenue, the only way to balance the budget is by cutting programs. There are some reports that if the General Assembly is unable to raise sufficient revenues, they may give the Governor the authority to make the necessary cuts. For MH/DD/SA, this would be very concerning since the Governor has consistently proposed major cuts to the system.

A number of revenue ideas are being considered but leaders of the House and Senate need our support and encouragement to continue working on these options. Immediately contact he House and Senate leadership listed below with the following message:

• We are thankful that both the House and Senate avoided deep cuts to MH/DD/SA. We encourage the General Assembly to adopt a budget with no cuts to the Community Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse system (House version)

• We strongly support efforts to raise revenue to fund the MH/DD/SA system.