Take Action: Ask Senator Phil Berger to release the HAVA funds

Logic designed for the impaired Republican psyche.

Thank you for your email regarding federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds.

During this short session, the General Assembly finalized a budget adjustment to address critical areas needing reform – like Medicaid – and invest in key state priorities like education. Every budget requires balancing finite resources with infinite demands and this tough economy makes that balance even more difficult. Just as working families and small businesses have to make difficult financial decisions, the state has had to tighten its belt as well.

After careful review, coupled with the fact that our state still has approximately $1.8 million dollars of HAVA Title I funds available, this year’s budget adjustment does not spend the required maintanence of effort funds needed to receive additional Help America Vote Act (HAVA) dollars. Further, it should be noted that the only state expense the State Board of Elections had planned for the funds were upgrades to a software system, which we felt would have a minimal impact over the next year.

While Senator Berger understands your concern and clearly recognizes the necessity of having the resources to ensure that our elections are run properly and smoothly, he is confident that our state has sufficient resources to do so. Although it can be tempting to use federal money for state obligations, our experience with Medicaid has taught us that short term arrangements can lead to unsustainable budget commitments in the long-term.

On Senator Berger’s behalf,

Translation: We're trying to fuck up this fall's elections and will do so at any cost. Just like we said "screw you" to eugenics victims. Money is always more important than fairness. It's the Republican way.