Human/Family Development Agenda
Those Agenda topics for which issue papers have been development are underlined.
Click on the topic to open the issue paper.
Healthcare
All persons have the right to affordable quality healthcare and to a public health system that serves and protects children, families and communities. AIN supports investments in public health strategies, such as the Maricopa County Special Health Care District, AHCCCS and KidsCare, which provide healthcare to underserved populations. AIN advocates for clear public accountability for these investments.
Education
Successful schools require collaboration among teachers, parents, students, principals, support staff, business leaders, religious leaders and the community. AIN supports increased investment in all levels of education, including early childhood education, full-day kindergarten, adult education, family literacy, universities and community colleges.
Immigration
There is widespread agreement that U.S. immigration policy is broken. AIN affirms the Statement on Immigration, the Faith-Based Principles on Migration/Immigration Issues, and the Faith-Based Policy Recommendations for Immigration Reform, all of which were signed by judicatory heads, clergy and religious leaders at the Arizona State Capitol on April 19, 2004. AIN seeks a bipartisan federal solution to fix U.S. immigration policy.
Long-Term Care
A crisis, resulting from a rapidly growing aged population, is building in Arizona. The deteriorating quality and availability of long-term care, coupled with workers who lack appropriate training and adequate pay, is having disastrous consequences for caregivers and care receivers alike. AIN supports the Aging 2020 initiative and the mission of the Citizens' Work Group on the Long Term Care Workforce established by Governor Napolitano.
Children and Youth
Children and youth deserve to live in crime-free, environmentally-safe neighborhoods,
with quality affordable housing, access to good childcare, and rich educational and
recreational opportunities. AIN supports public and private sector investments in
programs that support children and youth at the state and local level.
Work, Wages and Benefits
All workers deserve to be paid a living wage with health benefits and to work in a
safe environment. AIN supports high wage job creation that builds our economy and
increased job training. AIN opposes tax breaks to firms that do not pay their
employees a living wage with health benefits.
Fair and Adequate Taxation
Arizona's tax and fee structure is a hodgepodge of rules and laws, many of which were put
in place for special interests. To fix our fractured system, AIN supports the overall goals
of the Citizens Finance Review Commission to seek comprehensive tax reforms that are fair,
consistent, adequate and progressive.
Clean Elections
Arizona's Clean Elections Law has provided the opportunity for more candidates to run for
office. It also has decreased the influence of special interests and increased the
participation of many citizens in our elections. AIN supports Clean Elections.
Transportation
A healthy economy requires an infrastructure that supports the ability of all segments of the community to access jobs and services. AIN supports a balanced transportation system that equitably serves the interests of both businesses and families.
Prison Finance
A major contributor to the current budget deficit is the increasing portion of the State's budget that the Arizona Department of Corrections has garnered over the last ten years. AIN calls for a reevaluation of mandatory sentencing that fills prisons with non-violent offenders.
Please send comments to AzInterfaith@aol.com
WORKING DRAFT: 6/4/04
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