The truth about Sarah Palin and cutting funding for teen mother programs
Sarah Palin is getting a lot of criticism about her pregnant daughter, Bristol, and the way she has cut funding for teen mother programs. One of her detractor’s favorite points is how she supposedly cut funding for Covenant House, an Alaskan program to help house teen mothers who have no other place to go. They also provide other services and support for teen mothers. Great pains were taken to show Alaska’s 2008 budget and point out where Governor Palin reduced the amounts allocated to Covenant House. The Washington Post did this in great detail. What the story fails to tell you is where the real story lies.
According to Crosswalk, while Governor Palin did reduce the amount allocated in Alaska’s 2008 budget for Covenant House, the 3.9 million dollars she allowed was three times higher than the 2007 budget. Consider this from Covenant House Director, Deirdre Cronin.
Despite some press reports to the contrary, our operating budget was not reduced. Our $3.9 million appropriation is directed toward a multi-year capital project and it is our understanding that the state simply opted to phase in its support for this project over several years, rather than all at once in the current budget year.
So, it seems The Washington Post was not correct. I wonder if they will post a retraction? I won’t be holding my breath.
That’s my take!
Larry
