Arquette Turnage and other members of Down Home North Carolina’s Johnston County chapter took to the streets of the county seat, Smithfield, on June 15 to protest proposed state legislation which will exacerbate the affordability crisis many families are suffering through as federal cuts to housing, health care and food aid take effect across the state.
“Food bank lines are getting longer and the need for bill assistance is higher,” said Turnage. With these bills and amendments cutting programs, things are going to get worse. We’re urging Johnston County Commissioners to make sure all of their constituents are fully informed about this funding crisis and to stand up for us.”
The protesters urged the county officials to own up to residents about the harm two proposed state constitutional amendments, S.B. 1082 and HB 1089, will have on local families. These two bills cap the ability of state and local authorities to raise funds to make up for the $1.3 trillion federal cuts to programs such as SNAP and Medicaid. As many as 15 million Americans will lose health care because of the cuts.
“County budgets will be forced to make up the loss in funding, or with the lack of funds, further cut programs,” said Down Home North Carolina in a statement. “The resulting budget shortfalls will take an insurmountable toll on Johnston County, resulting in butchered county funding and public services.”
“Some of us really rely on these services to stay alive,” said Turnage. “Our public services … will be under attack, they are going to lose money.”