| |
Senator Scott Brown Needs to Hear from YOU!On Wednesday, June 23, 2010, the MA Conference Committee filed their budget for Fiscal Year 2011. Now we need the US Senate to do its part. In all line items, the Conference Committee showed a commitment to funding sexual and domestic violence services at levels at or halfway to the Senate budget figures. At this level, the DPH Sexual Assault and RISE (refugee and immigrant) services will receive partial restoration when the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funding expires on June 30. In each line item that addresses funds for SA/DV, there is an amount provided from the General Fund and an amount that is contingent upon the Federal dollars, called the FMAP Relief Fund. What does that mean? That until the FMAP funding comes to Massachusetts, these items will be funded only at the GENERAL FUND amounts. General Fund amounts reflect significant reductions from the FY2009 budget: 23% for SA; 14% for DV and 13% for SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) Program. We are thankful for the House and Senate efforts to fund sexual and domestic violence services. But we must help pass HR 4213, The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010, which includes many things, but most important to our efforts is the FMAP funding. FMAP funding will extend Medicaid Reimbursement to states, increasing revenues in the State Budget. Senator Scott Brown is a key vote to stop the filibuster to move this legislation on. Please contact his office IMMEDIATELY and urge him to stop the filibuster and support HR 4213 and the FMAP provision. Senator John Kerry is already supporting this measure.
TAKE ACTION TODAY: STEP 1: Call
AND email and/or FAX Senator Scott Brown in Washington. Ask him to please
vote to end the filibuster on HR 4123---this legislation has already passed
the House and Senate and needs a final cloture vote to move. We need this
bill to be passed and to include full funding for FMAP. fax number is (202) 228-2646 email: http://scottbrown.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme STEP 2: Call AND email the
Conference Committee and your Legislators to THANK them for their commitment
to including these line items in the budget at these amounts. Please put
“Thank you” in the subject line. Understanding it is a difficult
budget year, we appreciate their acknowledgement to restore funding, particular
to the severely cut DPH Sexual assault and RISE funding. See below for listing of Conference Committee members and talking points. Thank you for taking the time. Your advocacy will make a difference!
Talking Points & Background:* Unless the levels proposed in the Senate budget are maintained, sexual assault and RISE (refugee and immigrant) service providers will lose as much as 25% of their state funding! * During challenging economic times, it is more important than ever to fund these life-changing and life-saving services. Demands for services have greatly increased over the past year and without this funding, victims of sexual and domestic violence may have nowhere to turn. * Programs funded through these line items prevent long term costs each day! It is proven that services for victims, prevention activities and perpetrator accountability are effective; both in saving money and saving lives and futures. * FREE and Confidential services include:
To find your State Representative and State Senator, click on: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php BUDGET CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Senator Steven C. Panagiotakos, Chair Senate Committee on Ways & Means (617) 722-1630; Steven.Panagiotakos@state.ma.us DISTRICT REPRESENTED: FIRST MIDDLESEX. — Lowell, Dunstable, Groton, Pepperell, Tyngsborough and Westford
Senator Stephen M. Brewer (617) 722-1540; Stephen.Brewer@state.ma.us DISTRICT REPRESENTED: WORCESTER, HAMPDEN, HAMPSHIRE AND FRANKLIN. Ashburnham, Athol, Barre, Brookfield, Charlton, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Hubbardston, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Oakham, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Rutland, Spencer, Sturbridge, Templeton, Warren, West Brookfield and Winchendon, in the county of Worcester; Brimfield, Holland, Monson, Palmer and Wales, in the county of Hampden; Ware, in the county of Hampshire; and Orange and Warwick, in the county of Franklin.
Senator Michael R. Knapik
Representative Charles A. Murphy, Chair
House Committee on Ways & Means Representative Barbara A. L'Italien
Representative Robert S. Hargraves |