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- March 3rd, 2010
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Take action: stand up for the rights of people with disabilities
March 3rd, 2010
Press Release written by The Arc
On February 25th, the House and Senate passed their respective budget bills. The two bills take very different approaches on a number of issues. While the House and Senate budgets did not include everything advocates want, there are restorations to community services in each bill. For a summary of how the House and Senate versions of the budget affect people with ID/DD and their families, click here.
What happens now?
The two budget bills now go to Conference Committee. The committee, composed of 6 Delegates and 6 Senators, will negotiate a compromise for the state budget and then send it over to Governor McDonnell for his action. The committee is required to complete its work by March 13th. Members are expected to only discuss areas where the two budgets differ. Therefore, the most important thing we can do at this point in the process is advocate for the “best” parts of each bill, seeking to ensure that they are all included in the final budget.
How Can You Help?
1. Look out for action alerts from The Arc this week.
The Arc will be sending two action alerts this week. One alert will be focused on Senate committee members, the other alert will focus on House committee members. Each alert will include a simple, key message for you to share with the members when you call them.
2. Help us continue to make the civil rights movement a “public” issue.
We have seen a lot of articles, letters to the editor, and editorials/op-eds in the past week related to ID/DD services. We need to keep this momentum going in order for these issues to stay in the “public” eye. Help us get the word out! Please send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper in support of “Community for All”. Consider calling your local newspaper/TV station-ask them to do a story on the proposed policies affecting people with ID/DD (feel free to connect them with The Arc of VA office for more info). Note: You do not need to be directly affected to speak out. Letters to the editor from “taxpayers”/concerned citizens are encouraged as well! Click here for tips on writing a letter to the editor.
Looking Ahead
The budget crisis, as unpleasant as it is, has made us stronger as a grassroots network. We’ve come together in record numbers, speaking out with a strong, collective voice. It will be important for us to stick together to ensure that the civil rights movement for people with ID/DD continues to move forward. There is still work to be done about the cuts/policies that were not addressed in either budget bill (ie cuts taking effect in FY12, elimination of waiting lists and institution reform). The Arc will continue to advocate about these issues-but we need you to stay involved . Find out how you can help- click here to contact to your local chapter and stay tuned for updates from The Arc of Virginia after the conclusion of General Assembly session.