Trupin honored with Voices for Children Award
Our Executive Director Remy Trupin was honored this afternoon by the Children’s Alliance at the 2011 Voices for Children luncheon. The award was in recognition of Remy’s efforts to push for a balanced approach to the state budget. More than 300 people attended to honor the awardees for their efforts on behalf of children and families.
Remy’s remarks are as follows:
“Five years ago, the Children’s Alliance and others came to the conclusion that we couldn’t advance our common vision for all Washingtonians without a credible progressive voice on fiscal issues. And, we needed to develop a roadmap to create a solid, robust and equitable revenue system.
The Budget & Policy Center’s vision is based on four values built on common ground on which Washingtonians can agree:
1). Broadly available education and opportunity is fundamental to the future of our state.
2). Public investments that maintain our state infrastructure and protect our natural resources create thriving communities.
3). Quality of life in the state depends on healthy people and environment.
4). We all need public supports and services that provide avenues to economic security.
These values should be an unwavering beacon guiding our choices as a state.
Now, you are honoring the Budget & Policy Center – because, really this was a staff and board effort - for the call for “balance.” Truthfully, I feel a little chagrined to accept it because we weren’t successful this year.
What we really need is 'more.' A more transparent conversation about the necessity of our public structures -those four shared values.
More aggressive public leaders, not just elected officials, but board members of service organizations, corporate leaders who aren’t retired, development officers and others -- who are willing to admit the failure of our response to the recession and engage in a battle for more revenue.
Because that’s what’s it really about. We have been starving the very things that have helped Washington get to where we were before the recession: a vibrant, booming place.
Our state has tremendous resources at its disposal -- hard-working people, creativity and ingenuity, and financial resources that can all be brought to bear to build a more prosperous future. Now is the time to make smart and practical choices and rebuild the path to prosperity for all Washingtonians.
But, the conversation shouldn’t really be about “balance.” It should be about major new investments – that means revenue – to ensure our future prosperity.
And, we can’t just accept the cuts as the new normal… We didn’t hit reset on our ambitions and values.
There were a lot of people and groups who worked really hard for a balanced approach. We weren’t unsuccessful for a lack of effort. We’re going to come back pushing harder. So should you. Thanks for acknowledging our work and message, and I hope to hear everyone in this room calling for more revenue and reminding everyone of our common values."
