After yesterday's evening of House debate, amendments related to disability services, mental health, communications access (e.g., Braille, ASL) were consolidated and passed

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We reflected yesterday on the budget released by the House Ways and Means Committee on Beacon Hill. We found that all of your hard work as advocates has yielded significant gains--nearly $10 million--for the DDS budget. We also expressed our concern about sustained cuts in particular programs. With those deficits in mind, we ask for your assistance again.

Yesterday afternoon, The Arc and ADDP finished drafting amendments for the House budget that would fund programs of concern at requested levels. (You can see a full list of the requests from The Arc on our updated budget table [pdf].) We submitted those amendments to Representatives who have graciously agreed to act as sponsors:

• Rep. Scibak is sponsoring an amendment for DDS family support
• Rep. Dwyer is sponsoring an amendment for day habilitation through MassHealth
• Rep. Fernandes is sponsoring an amendment for DDS residential services  
• Rep. Linsky is sponsoring an amendment for DDS/DESE language 
• Rep. Garballey is sponsoring an amendment for DDS day/employment services
• Rep. Khan is sponsoring an amendment for federal revenue for DDS/DESE services

The Arc and ADDP are also grateful for Rep. Sannicandro's continued support and leadership during the budget process.

We've sent an e-mail to every representative asking for their support on these amendments, but we need your help too! Please call your representative today and ask them to co-sponsor the amendments from The Arc listed above! 

Not sure how to reach your representative? Go to http://malegislature.gov/People/FindMyLegislator to find their contact information.

Remember, these amendments are only relevant to members of the House; we need you to contact your Representative; there is no need to contact your Senator.

As we go to press today, we face devastating community cuts. We can’t give up on disability supports and services in the midst of a difficult economy. As a legislator we ask you not to give up on us and we ask our families and friends to keep up the outreach.  Your stories are what informs neighbors as well as decision makers. 

See the rest of the message.