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	Bishop John B. Mccormack Remarks Concerning State Budget Delivered at the State House on March 31, 2011 Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester April 2, 2011 http://www.catholicnh.org/public-issues/fcn-archive/fcn-033111/ I am honored to be part of this historic occasion where people of varied backgrounds, causes, and faith traditions have come together for a common purpose: to urge our elected officials to pass a budget that is just and meets the needs of the most vulnerable in our society. While I believe that the members of the House have strived to do their best for our State, I am deeply concerned about the budget that the House is in the process of passing because it does not meet our obligation as a state to care for our fellow citizens in need. While the fundamental requirement of our religious heritage is care for the poor, it is worth noting that this principle is not simply a moral obligation, but it was enshrined by our founding fathers in our State Constitution. The founders wrote that forming people into a society was intended “to ensure the protection of others.” (Part 1, Article 3.) They also declared that it is the duty of the legislators and magistrates, in all future periods of this government… to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence… public and private charity… and generous sentiments among the people….(Part 2, Article 83.) Thus, care for the poor is not just an ideal principle; it is a duty assigned to the General Court by the Constitution of our State. Admittedly, I speak not as a member of the General Court, but as a person looking at a process that could result in drastic impacts on the poor and most vulnerable in our state, those who are least able to cope with cuts in our State budget. I believe that in times of fiscal restraint, a spirit of shared sacrifice demands that the entire budget be examined—not simply the cuts proposed by the Governor and his department heads. I have advocated and continue to advocate for an ordered approach to this budget that first determines the funding amount necessary to address our obligation as a State to care for the poor and only then determines the amounts available for the state government itself. Only after funding our foremost obligation to the poor should budget-writers proceed to address the needs of the various state departments. Unfortunately, this is not the approach taken in this proposed budget. While I welcome the proposed budget’s respect for life in its prohibition of the use of family planning funds for abortions, I am deeply dismayed that the budget includes a restriction of the collective bargaining rights of public employees. The right of free people to organize to advance their economic and political interests is a fundamental human right. Pope John Paul II, a constant promoter of human rights, stated that trade unions “are an indispensable element of social life, especially in modern industrialized societies.” He spoke of the importance of freely organized labor unions as a way for workers to become actively involved and enjoy the right of association. Trade unions have an indispensable role in society, and particularly in this time of great economic difficulty, we should preserve free collective bargaining, which promotes collaboration, balance, and justice. The state’s spending choices reflect our values as a society. The Catholic Church, along with all other religious bodies in New Hampshire, contribute both time and money to care for those most in need. I am confident we will continue to do so and that men and women of good will will continue to make sacrifices to help their neighbors. We are doing our share. We ask that government, which bears a great responsibility for providing for assistance to those in need, will continue to uphold the long New Hampshire tradition of looking out for one another. As our legislature considers how to spend our limited state resources—resources that come from the people, we urge the legislature and the governor to place the poor, the unemployed, and our most vulnerable citizens first. Our commitment to human solidarity, the dignity of human labor, and justice for the weak and marginalized demands no less.
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