According to this article PA Wing's state funding is going to be axed: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/local-agencies-predict-widespread-budget-pain-1.872689
Last I heard their state budget was something like half a million, so this would be a major hit....
Last year's appropiation for PAWG was $150,000; having been cut from $300,000 the previous year and, $500,000 the year before that.
If this is final, it will be the first time in 20 years the wing will not get funds from the state. Times are tough... :(
That stinks for PAWG, but I'm not surprised. State budgets all over the country are in turmoil right now. You should see the shenanigans playing out in New York. Every week the state government faces the threat of shutting down entirely, because they're unable to pass a budget. What a mess.
And then there was Illinois. No CAP funding to cut so they'll have to dig elsewhere to find the billions owed to schools, contrators and the general public (tax refunds). I suppose California is worse. Does CAWG receive state funding?
It must be nice to get that kind of funding. INWG does not get anything from the state other than reimbursement for missions.
MAWG lost all of our funding a while ago
Quote from: sparks on July 01, 2010, 01:21:07 PM
And then there was Illinois. No CAP funding to cut so they'll have to dig elsewhere to find the billions owed to schools, contrators and the general public (tax refunds). I suppose California is worse. Does CAWG receive state funding?
Before making assertions like this you should be aware of the facts.
ILWG receives a significant amount of support from the state, not the least of which is Wing HQ - the fact that there is no direct line-item appropriation does not mean we do not get support.
(http://josephdbferguson.com/uploads/The_More_You_Know.jpg)
this will be great for me..im thinking of joining the PA wing
I dont believe CAWG gets any state funding that I am aware of. Never seen it or heard of it in 20 yrs. So if we do, its either small or nobody ever talks about it.
Quote from: juicedude10 on July 01, 2010, 02:06:09 PM
this will be great for me..im thinking of joining the PA wing
Plenty of wings operate just fine with $0 in appropriates from their respective states. It's not a death sentence or something.
Eclipse, I'm aware of the "other " support the state provides. The string is about state funding, money, not buildings etc. Since you mentioned it I hope the state dosen't decide to cut that support.
For the record, PAWG's funding is literally cut every year. If you use search you will find several panicked threads about losing funding.
It is status quo there that the appropriation is cut early and put back last minute. With that said, and considering the status of most state budgets, I would not be surprised to see another reduction in the final number.
Sparks, As to what this is "about", I see no difference between a state appropriating cash to a wing, which then has to go out and pay rent
for facilities, etc., or providing facilities and support directly to the same end. Say what you want about Illinois governmental issues, they are very good to CAP.
Quote from: Flying Pig on July 01, 2010, 02:06:50 PM
I dont believe CAWG gets any state funding that I am aware of. Never seen it or heard of it in 20 yrs. So if we do, its either small or nobody ever talks about it.
Yes we do, from Cal-EMA. -- John
Last year, CAWG received $80,000 from Cal-EMA. It's been in this range for many years. Small? Perhaps, FlyingPig, but definitely not a secret.
Thanks for the information.
Its always possible that cost cutting could hit the program as a whole. The Defense Secretary is trying to chop a lot of money and CAP could be vulnerable....
Quote from: RiverAux on July 01, 2010, 10:06:43 PM
Its always possible that cost cutting could hit the program as a whole. The Defense Secretary is trying to chop a lot of money and CAP could be vulnerable....
Our entire yearly budget is less than the cost of a single tactical aircraft. I'd say we're pretty low on the hit list.
True, but I'm willing to bet that CAP's budget in PA is comparably miniscule compared to the rest of the state budget..
The Pa Wing last year received .002% of the 28 Billion dollar state budget yet it still was slashed to nothing for this year. We should start calling our Senators and Congress representatives now so it does not happen at the Federal level also.
Quote from: keystone102 on July 02, 2010, 11:58:02 AM
The Pa Wing last year received .002% of the 28 Billion dollar state budget yet it still was slashed to nothing for this year. We should start calling our Senators and Congress representatives now so it does not happen at the Federal level also.
Why give them ideas?
Although "in kind" facilities can be helpful, good old money can be more helpful.
For example in our wing (not PA) in the past some of this type of state funding bought radio antennas, coxial cables, radio batteries, generators, etc.
Now individual units having this equipment are forced to purchase batteries (which aren't cheap) and other associated radio equipment accessories in order to maintain readiness.
RM
Quote from: RADIOMAN015 on July 03, 2010, 02:41:48 AM
Now individual units having this equipment are forced to purchase batteries (which aren't cheap) and other associated radio equipment accessories in order to maintain readiness.
Welcome to what the rest of us have to do - tax dollars or direct cost, its all the same money.
Quote from: Eclipse on July 03, 2010, 03:17:00 AM
Quote from: RADIOMAN015 on July 03, 2010, 02:41:48 AM
Now individual units having this equipment are forced to purchase batteries (which aren't cheap) and other associated radio equipment accessories in order to maintain readiness.
Welcome to what the rest of us have to do - tax dollars or direct cost, its all the same money.
When I see some of the questionable programs that some of our great state representatives allow, it makes me fume >:( Part of our problem was that it wasn't a direct appropriation but came under the state emergency management agency. The wing used the money primarily for durable type equipment purchases. Many state support programs currently funded are soft "we feel good about" programs that basically pay salaries to non profit organizations for conducting program x. CAP was left behind with these "economic" simulus" money that funded a lot of public safety type durable equipment purchases.
So Eclipse, I guess your stand is that we (as an organization) need to suck it up and perhaps sell candy bars to fund our essential emergency equipment needs, rather than some sort of National/Regional/Wing budgeting support that provides ongoing support for mission essential equipment such as radios?
I've held off on buying one portable radio battery (actually I should buy 3 (about $150.00 cost, basically 10 senior member dues for 1 quarter (15% to 20% of quarterly membership support revenue), to ensure I have two batteries for each portable.
BTW what the real kicker is on this radio equipment deal is that if there were AA battery packs available for the radio equipment (as was available for the now CAP technical obsolete Vertex 150), I had a source for free "in kind" donation of batteries. (Fortunately I still do for at least the ground DF equipment which uses).
I'm sure other units in CAP have the same funding challenges :(
RM
Quote from: RADIOMAN015 on July 03, 2010, 12:56:16 PM
So Eclipse, I guess your stand is that we (as an organization) need to suck it up and perhaps sell candy bars to fund our essential emergency equipment needs, rather than some sort of National/Regional/Wing budgeting support that provides ongoing support for mission essential equipment such as radios?
The USAF already provides for our "essential emergency equipment needs", and the majority of the rest of the wings
are out fundraising locally for what is not provided.
As I said, things are tough all over, welcome to how the rest of us have been doing it all along.