In just hours, our system could see a critically-needed infusion of funds!
But it won't happen unless you make a few phone calls NOW
We've got great news, and real hope! Special Session negotiations at the highest level have created a proposal that would provide the across-the-board funding increase for developmental services we need to help stabilize our system.
SBX2 14 (Hernandez) was just officially introduced in the Legislature today. Because it involves a tax increase on health plans, it will need two-thirds of each house of the Legislature to support it. Without your advocacy, this will fail, and we will not see any funding increase - and programs will continue to close, regional centers will continue to be out of compliance with caseload ratios, and people with developmental disabilities will see their services and supports continue to vanish.
We need you to call your representatives by 5pm Thursday, September 10th, and ask them to support SBX2-14 (Hernandez), with amendments to provide a true 10% increase. If you make this call, we could see our first goal achieved - a 10% across-the-board increase for developmental services! Hundreds of programs have closed in recent years, and many more are at risk of closing if this bill does not pass.
Our community has been pushing to be made whole since the first round of Budget cuts in 2009, and living under an ever-worsening funding system for decades. We fought hard and stopped further cuts. We fought hard, and saw Early Start restored. We fought hard and saw a modest funding increase proposed by the Legislature - only to have it cut by the Governor. But because of your advocacy, we were given the chance at more money in the Special Session. And now we finally have a solution that could go to the Governor.
What you need to do NOW
You have until 5pm, Thursday September 10th to make these calls!
Write down the district numbers, and use a zero with single digits. 5 is "05"
Use those numbers to call their Capitol office!
For Senators, call 916-651-40##
For Assemblymembers, call 916-319-20##
When someone answers the phone, say:
"My name is [FULL NAME], and I am a constituent of the member. Please ask them to support SBX2 14, by Senator Hernandez, with amendments to provide a true 10% increase to support people with developmental disabilities. Thank you!"
Share this with everyone you know. Please forward this email!
To see how to make a district number into a phone number, check out these two examples:
