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California’s intellectual and developmental disability community must take action now and tell the state Assembly and Senate to fund critical community services and affordable housing. Despite a multi-billion dollar surplus this year, the Senate Budget Sub-Committee did not vote to approve two priority proposals:
1. The Lanterman Coalition’s proposal to create new affordable housing and rental subsidy opportunities for regional center clients by using funds the state will receive from the closure of the remaining developmental centers;
2. Assemblyman Holden’s proposal to provide temporary emergency funding to community services that are losing money and closing due to unfunded mandates;
Despite the inaction by the Senate Budget Sub-Committee, there is still hope for these proposals to make it into the final budget that is sent to the Governor! The entire community is strongly urged to call the Chair of the Assembly Budget Sub-Committee, Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, and Senate Pro-Tem Toni Atkins, and request that they include both of these critical priorities in their final budgets.
Call the numbers below and use the script:
Senator Toni Atkins
Capitol Office: (916) 651-4039
Assembly Member Joaquin Arambula
Capitol Office: (916) 319-2031
Script:
“Hello, my name is [your name] and I am calling to ask for your support on two very important budget proposals that impact the intellectual and developmental disabilities community. First, The Lanterman Coalition proposal to create new affordable housing and rental subsidy opportunities for regional center clients is critical because affordable housing options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is almost nonexistent and we are in a serious housing crisis. Second, Assembly Member Holden’s proposal to provide temporary emergency funding to community service providers who are losing money right now due to unfunded mandates is essential because we are losing services at an alarming rate. The Senate Health and Human Services Budget Sub 3 did not include these important items in their hearing this week which is why it is so important that you include it in the next budget hearing. Thank you!”