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WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Democratic National Committee released the following fact sheet today on Indiana's working families:
Indiana's working families are struggling because of the misplaced priorities of President Bush and Republicans in Washington, but that's not stopping the President from heading to Northern Indiana for a fat cat fundraiser benefitting Republican Congressman Chris Chocola. President Bush will headline a $500-a-plate luncheon, followed by a $4,000-per person photo session, at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind.
Republicans in Washington have done nothing to help Indiana's working families pay skyrocketing college tuition costs, find affordable, quality health care, or cope with out of control home heating bills and gas prices. In fact, Congressman Chocola recently voted for and President Bush signed a budget bill that slashed $14 billion from student loan programs that help 177,850 Indiana college students, while the President's budget for next year slashes more than $26 million from vocational training programs in Indiana.
"While President Bush and Congressman Chocola have no problem raising campaign cash at Bethel College, their drastic budget cuts are undermining education opportunities for Indiana students," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera. "President Bush should use his speech today to explain to Indiana students why he is gutting student loan programs while college tuitions continue to rise.
"Indiana can do better. It's time for Congressman Chocola and the rest of Indiana's Republicans in Washington to join Democrats in fighting to help Indiana's working families heat their homes, fill their gas tanks, educate their children and find quality, affordable health care."
The following is a fact sheet on failure of President Bush and Indiana's Republicans in Washington to stand up for Indiana's working families:
HOOSIERS HIT HARD BY BUSH BUDGET
Indiana Bleeding Manufacturing Jobs. Over 5,600 jobs and 69,400 manufacturing jobs have been lost in Indiana, with 176,376 looking for work. (BLS, 1/06) Family income has dropped by $2,497 since 2000. (CPS, 10/05)
Republicans In Washington Undercut Aid to Displaced Workers. The Republican budget slashes funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership by 58 percent and eliminates the Advanced Technology Program (Budget of the US Government, 2/06). It also eliminates $26,221,000 in funding for vocational education in Indiana. (FFIS, 2/06)
Indiana's Working Families Saddled with Out of Control Gas and Home Heating Costs. As of January of this year, home heating costs were expected to increase by 74 percent in Indiana's region of the country, and gas prices had increased by 64 cents in Indiana since May of 2004, an increase of approximately 32 percent. (EIA, 1/06; AAA Fuel Gauge Report, 1/06 and 5/05)
Republicans Refuse to Provide Relief to Families Struggling to Heat Their Homes. The Bush Administration is refusing to call for extra funds for low-income home energy assistance (LIHEAP) this winter, even though the number of applicants for assistance has increased by 17,164 in Indiana. (National Energy Assistance Directors Association, 12/05)
Bush Budget Cuts Undermine Indiana Homeland Security Efforts. The Republican budget slashes funding for the COPS program by 79 percent. It eliminates the Local Law Enforcement Grant program, which provided $7,763,554 in funding to local law enforcement in Indiana, so they have the training and equipment they need to keep communities safe, and provided no new funds for the CDC Bioterrorism program. (DHS 12 /3/04; FFIS, 2/06)
More Indiana Families Lack Health Insurance, While Those With Coverage Pay More Than Ever. There are 872,000 people without health insurance in Indiana, a 198,000 increase since 2000. (CPS, 10/05) The cost of health insurance has increased by $1,679 -- a 120 percent increase. (KFF 2005; MEPS 2005) But the Republican budget eliminates $99 million in preventive and community health funding nationwide.
Cuts to Medicare Threaten Indiana Seniors. In addition, the Bush budget cuts Medicare by $36 billion over the next five years, resulting in $530,913,830 in cuts to hospitals, nursing homes, and home health providers serving seniors and people with disabilities in Indiana. (The Health Economics and Outcomes Research Institute at Greater New York Hospital Association, 2/06)
Republicans in Washington Still Leaving Indiana's School Children Behind. Because Republicans have failed to provide promised education funds, 40,017 children in Indiana have gone without help in reading and math and 23,537 have gone without after-school programs that boost academic achievement and keep kids safe. (CRS, 1/2006) The Bush budget freezes funding for Head Start, which places pressure on states to cut services for 299 children in State. (NHSA, 2/7/06)
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