http://www.interfaithimpactnys.org/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl? http://www.eblah.com en http://www.interfaithimpactnys.org/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1231617914/ http://www.interfaithimpactnys.org/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1231617914/#num1
Robb Smith
Executive Director, IINYS]]> Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:05:14 Robb http://www.interfaithimpactnys.org/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1229121881/ http://www.interfaithimpactnys.org/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1229121881/#num1 http://www.iinys.blip.tv/#1556784)of Tom Davis at our recent December '08 Conscience in Public Life event. Unfortunately, the sound quality is not very good, but this was our first attempt.]]> Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:44:41 Administrator http://www.interfaithimpactnys.org/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1229037701/ http://www.interfaithimpactnys.org/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1229037701/#num1      As usual at these meetings, it was a wide-ranging discussion. While we don't know for sure what is in the budget, Dennis Whalen acknowledged that  concern for the needs of the poor is a moral concern. We left feeling hopeful that there might be a slight increase in the basic welfare grant, which has not changed since 1990, but we'll have to wait and see. The Governor's budget will be published on Dec. 16th, and Mr. Whalen invited to return in a couple of weeks to discuss it.
     Other issues that were mentioned in passing including prison to community transitions, universal health care, and possible new revenue streams, including capturing more of the stock transfer tax and making the income tax system more progressive by increasing the taxes paid by the wealthiest New Yorkers.
     The IINYS board voted last year to formally support an increase in the welfare grant, which is a fundamental question of economic justice and concern for the poor. Related issues, such as taxation, have not been formally approved but are in keeping with our support for the general stands taken by the NYS Fiscal Policy Institute.
     The following day, we held a prayer vigil in front of the Governor's office on the second floor of the Capitol building.  ]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:21:41 Robb http://www.interfaithimpactnys.org/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1211395670/ http://www.interfaithimpactnys.org/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1211395670/#num1
private Gilbert]]> Wed, 21 May 2008 11:47:50 Rsgilbert http://www.interfaithimpactnys.org/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1204733738/ http://www.interfaithimpactnys.org/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1204733738/#num1 http://www.usatoday.com:80/news/graphics/pew-religion-08/flash.htm. For the report itself, see http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=279. As the religious landscape changes, I think it's important to remind law and policy makers that our government was created to promote the common good, not religious doctrine.
]]> Wed, 5 Mar 2008 08:15:38 Robb