CWU Advocacy Alert: 4/23/09
Crittenton Women's Union Advocacy Alert
For release: 4/23/09
View online at http://www.liveworkthrive.org/email/advocacy_alert_042309.html
Dear Friends of CWU,
The Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee last week released its
draft version of the FY10 budget with $800 million in cuts below last
year's general appropriations bill.
As a result, many programs are targeted for funding decreases—some
dramatic, others minimal. Amendments have already been filed to restore
funding to affected programs. We need your help to make sure these critical
amendments become part of the final FY10 budget bill.
Crittenton Women's Union asks you to advocate for the following FY10
budget items:
Mass Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)
(Line Item 7004-9024)
FY10 House: $17,997,061 (45% decrease from FY09)
FY10 ask: $35.8 million
$35.8 million would preserve the 5,100 existing homes already leased with
MRVP.
***
DESE Adult Basic Education/ ESOL
(Line Item 7035-0002)
FY10 House: $28.2 million (6% decrease from FY09)
FY10 ask: $30.1 million
$30.1 million would help reduce a waiting list of 20,425 adults for ABE
programs funded by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
ABE/ESOL helps prepare low-wage workers for higher education and jobs.
/// TAKE ACTION! ///
Please contact your state representative ask them to co-sponsor the
following amendments:
#567 Housing Committee Chair Kevin G. Honan's (D-Allston) amendment to
fund MRVP at the House1 level ($35.8M)
#741 Rep. Frank Smizik's (D-Brookline) amendment to increase ABE funding
to $30.1M
#978 Rep. Linda Dean Campbell's (D-Methuen) amendment to increase ABE
funding to $29.2M
Additional amendments that will help low-income families:
#593 Rep. Antonio F. D. Cabral's (D-New Bedford) Young Parent GED Program
NO COST amendment to ensure that this critical education program is
available for the most vulnerable teen parents
#540 Rep. Kay Khan's (D-Newton) Emergency Assistance NO COST amendment to
help protect families in shelter and seeking shelter from recent regulation
changes.
+ If you don't know who your representative is, go to
[http://www.wheredoivotema.com] wheredoivotema.com.
+ To view a list of all budget amendments, visit the
[http://www.mass.gov/legis/10budget/house/am_list1-500.htm] Mass.gov
website.
If you have any questions you can contact Chelsea Lettieri, Public Policy
Coordinator, at clettieri@liveworkthrive.org or 617-259-2936.
Thank you for your support!