Action Alert 6/17 at 2pm: All it takes is your call to say “Our system matters!”
Tomorrow, 6/17 at 2pm, WRC is partnering with ARCA on a statewide direct action to insist that Governor Newsom protects our system’s budget. Your participation is extremely important! It’s just a simple call, saying you strongly support a Budget that protects the developmental disabilities service system and its funding.
Your action should take place at 2pm tomorrow to simultaneously flood the Governor’s office with contacts. Don’t forget to set an Alarm! For more information about what is at stake, please see the detailed message below and don’t forget to spread the word.
How to Contact the Governor:
1) Go to the Governor’s website. You can either email him, or call directly at (916) 445-2841. When you do, tell him you strongly support a Budget that protects the developmental disabilities service system and its funding.
2) If you’re on social media, bring this message to him on Twitter.
3) Forward this post to get the word to your community!
The past few months have totally upended life, and the state’s Budget is no exception. The economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is deep. Over half a billion dollars in cuts to the system have been considered, affecting every way people with developmental disabilities are supported in communities of their choosing.
The good news is, the version of the Legislature’s Budget Governor Newsom is reviewing doesn’t hurt people with developmental disabilities or their families. It even helps to improve their lives in key ways. But the developmental disabilities services system may still face cuts. We need to make one last push this month to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Governor Newsom needs to hear from you today. Between now and June 30th, he still has the power to make last-minute cuts to next year’s Budget. The only way to make sure that doesn’t happen is by telling him to you strongly support a Budget that protects the developmental disabilities service system and its funding.
What are some of the things at risk? Aside from preventing the half-billion dollars in cuts, there are a few other big things we’re fighting for. The Budget on Governor Newsom’s desk keeps extra funds for Early Start Therapeutic Services, Independent Living Services, and Infant Development Programs – money other services got last year. The Budget he has power over won’t close access to services for any additional days. It’s a plan that rejects new family fees (disability taxes). And starting next year, if your voice is heard, there will be a way to raise wages for direct support professionals as local minimum wages increase. There are also protections for other services, including Intermediate Care Facilities, In-Home Supportive Services, and some Medi-Cal health care benefits.
Every one of those things need to be defended. But you don’t need to make a long speech, or write a detailed email. It’s just a simple call, saying you strongly support a Budget that protects the developmental disabilities service system and its funding.
Will you take the time to let Governor Newsom know that supporting the developmental disabilities service system matters to you?
