California SSI Cuts

This pertains to elderly and disabled people who are on Social Security and who get SSI as well.

At one time, the state of California raised SSI every time the federal government raised Social Security and by the same percentage. Then, one year, the state did not raise SSI. Since that time, the state has decreased SSI every year until the state’s portion is about $120 less per month than it was in 1990. The reason given for this has been that the government must live within its income. At the same time, income taxes on the rich were not increased because, it was said, a raise in their taxes would not make up the shortfall.

Now that there is a surplus in the state treasury, the powers that be in California want to lower the taxes on the rich without restoring the decrease in SSI. These same people also want to reduce Medi-Cal benefits.

What is the rationale for that? Where is the justice in making the elderly and disabled pay for the recession and then not rewarding them when times get better? Where is the justice in not making the rich carry part of the burden during the recession and then enriching them further when times get better?

JUANITA MATASSA