April 7, 2010
PREVENT DEVASTATING CUTS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES!
Since March 15, the Washington State Legislature has been in a Special Session to finalize the unresolved state budget. The past few weeks have been full of deliberations as the House and Senate have struggled to find a revenue package they can agree on.
The last day of the Special Session is Tuesday, April 13th. Governor Gregoire has announced that if the House and the Senate have not come to agreement by this time, she will simply implement an across the board 20% cut to all services. This would be detrimental to all state funded programs and would threaten low income families’ access to key services when they are needed most.
What will stop these cuts?
If the House and Senate can agree on a revenue package, across the board cuts will not be made. Currently, the Senate has offered a compromise revenue package to the House that includes a tax on beer and a reduced sales tax. If an agreement can be reached and $800 million in new revenue is passed, it will help save program funding for services that are desperately needed.
What can you do?
Call or email your State Representatives now and urge them to come to an agreement with the Senate.
You can find your Representatives’ contact information by visiting the online District Finder.
Sample Message: Please come to an agreement on a revenue package with the Senate. New sources of revenue will help minimize the devastating cuts during this time of need. By taxing nonessentials, we can protect programs that are vital to the health and wellbeing of our communities.
Act now! The Special Session is drawing to a close, so make sure to contact your Representatives by Friday, April 9.
Speak up! Don’t let the Special Session end without your input!
Questions? Want to be more involved in advocacy?
Contact Maria Roselle via email or by calling (206) 432-3625