Clerics Meet Wilson, Oppose Welfare Cuts

In an unprecedented event, a dozen Catholic, Protestant and Jewish religious leaders met Wednesday with Gov. Pete Wilson to question the moral underpinnings of his proposed state budget, which would reduce subsidies that help the poor obtain food, clothing, shelter and medical care.

Emerging from the nearly two-hour private meeting, the religious leaders praised Wilson for being willing to listen to their concerns. But they stuck to their criticism of his proposals.

In a two-page “Call to Conscience” presented to the Republican governor, the Religious Coalition for a Just Budget said higher taxes, particularly on the wealthy, would be preferable to forcing “the politically voiceless, the often invisible and the most vulnerable people” in the state to bear the brunt of service cuts.

Even before meeting with the religious leaders, Wilson told a convention of real estate agents that some of his critics “mistake moral polemics for good policy” and challenged those opposing him to put forward alternatives of their own.

At issue is the $55.4-billion budget that Wilson proposed in January, which called on the Legislature to reduce welfare grants by 10% immediately and another 15% for able-bodied recipients still receiving aid after six months. Wilson also proposed eliminating dental care for poor adults and ending several other health services that federal law does not require the state to provide.

Wilson’s meeting with religious leaders followed by six weeks an attack on his welfare proposal by two leading Catholic figures--Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles, and Archbishop John R. Quinn of San Francisco. Mahony called Wilson’s program a “war on the poor.”

Mahony was not at the meeting Wednesday but was represented by the executive director of the California Catholic Conference. Mahony was among those who signed the statement delivered to the governor, which said that “those who have profited most by our system need to share the most with those who have profited least.”

Wilson has taken a strong stand against new taxes, and most lawmakers from both parties seem to agree with him. But the clerics said raising taxes must be considered “even if it is politically unpopular.”

A tax increase, they said, would be better than cutting welfare benefits to poor women and their children. Chester L. Talton, an assistant bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, said the churches already are overwhelmed with people in need of assistance.

“I’m concerned that this will create more poor people beyond our ability to serve them,” he said.

Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs of Encino, president of the Pacific Assn. of Reform Rabbis, took a swipe at Wilson’s frequent contention that the state has become a magnet for the poor from other states and other countries.

“There’s been a great deal of talk, a great deal of anger about those who don’t belong in our state,” Jacobs said. “The fact is they are here, and they are human beings, and we are their caretakers.”

Earlier, Wilson told members of the California Assn. of Realtors that he welcomed the chance to debate the morality of his policies. He said those who oppose his proposals are obligated to offer alternatives.

Despite the differences, the religious leaders said they had established a relationship with Wilson that will continue. The same group had tried without success to get a hearing with former Gov. George Deukmejian.

“He’s a man who’s trying very hard to find a way,” said Jane W. Peers, presiding clerk of the Religious Society of Friends.

Added Jacobs: “He listened. We listened. Hopefully, we’ll be able to move ahead together. That is not a promise. It is probably more of a prayer.”