Lawmakers Swayed by Keep the Promise Rallies

Last week saw Keep the Promise rallies to save Lanterman Act services and fund the direct support workforce for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) throughout the state. The Sacramento rally on Wednesday, April 3 was a rousing success with crowds estimated between 1,500 – 2,000. Several rallies took place on Friday, April 5th which we will cover in next week’s Monday Morning Memo. These rallies play a key role in convincing lawmakers and the public to support the I/DD community.

Members of the press covered the Capitol rally, helping spread our message to the broader community. You can watch local NBC affiliate KCRA coverage on YouTube.

The following legislators came out to the Capitol steps to sign their names to the budget request letter, pledging their support for an 8% increase in funding to Lanterman Act services and supports for people with I/DD.

Senate Request Author: Senator Henry Stern, District 27
Senator Andreas Borgeas, District 8
Senator Shannon Grove, District 16
Senator Mike Morrell, District 23
Senator Jeff Stone, District 28
Senator John Moorlach, District 37
Assembly Request Co-Author: Assemblymember Jim Frazier, District 11
Assembly Request Co-Author: Assemblymember Chris Holden, District 41
Assemblymember Brian Dahle, District 1
Assemblymember Heath Flora, District 12
Assemblymember Devon Mathis, District 26
Assemblymember Tom Lackey, District 36
Assemblymember Christy Smith, District 38
Assemblymember Marie Waldron, District 75

The rallies, media attention, and legislators who support the 8% budget request represent a good start. However, we would like to see the signatures of every Senator and Assemblymember added to the budget request letter. There is still time for you to take action. Visit thelantermancoalition.org and click the “Take Action” button to write to your state representatives telling them why they must sign on to the letter and #KeepThePromise to Californians with I/DD.

Statewide Keep The Promise Rally Week!

This week California will see three rallies to save Lanterman Act services and fund the direct support workforce for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The rallies will take place in Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

These rallies will play a critical role in letting our lawmakers know exactly how important it is that they support the budget request from Assemblymembers Holden and Frazier to include an eight percent across-the-board rate increase into our system this year.

This eight percent rate increase will be a down payment towards the implementation of the rate study which came out last month. The study clearly indicated that the system is woefully underfunded, shortchanging more than 330,000 Californians with I/DD and forcing the direct support professionals they depend to choose between the clients they love and finding more lucrative work to support themselves and their families.

To learn more about the need for the eight percent increase and the rallies, visit thelantermancoalition.org

Rally Information:

April 3, 2019, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Sacramento

For more information view the Sacramento Keep the Promise Rally flyer

April 5, 2019, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM, San Diego

For more information view the San Diego Keep the Promise Rally flyer

April 5, 2019, 12:00 – 1:30 PM, Los Angeles

For more information view the Los Angeles Keep the Promise Rally flyer

April Statewide #KeepThePromise Rallies for Californians with I/DD

This April will see three rallies across the state in support of the intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) community. These rallies are an important part of a statewide effort to demand that our lawmakers increase funding to the system of services and supports people with I/DD rely on; a system that is grossly underfunded.

Click on the locations below for informative, shareable flyers and come out to a rally near you!

To learn more about the budgetary issues facing the I/DD community and other ways that you can get involved, visit thelantermancoalition.org.

#KeepThePromise

1. The Rally:

Join us in Sacramento on April 3, 2019, for the #KeepThePromise Capitol rally to save Lanterman Act services & fund the direct support workforce for Californian’s with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

More than 330,000 Californians with I/DD live in our state – they are our neighbors, classmates, coworkers, family, and friends – however, their support structure has been grossly underfunded and is failing. Direct support staff are quitting the field or working multiple jobs due to low wages, essential programs are closing throughout the state, and individuals are forced to live with inadequate supports or with no support at all.

California’s lawmakers must fund the services and supports people with I/DD rely on to access their civil rights. An 8% increase will provide emergency stabilization which our community desperately needs.

For the full schedule of rally events, visit theLantermanCoalition.org/rally or download our shareable flyer.

2. Engage Your Legislators:

3. Share:

Visit thelantermancoalition.org’s social media tool kit and share any of our premade social media posts to let your network know that California’s lawmakers must #KeepThePromise to the I/DD community.

4. Stay Involved – #KeepThePromise on Twitter:

Twitter is a social media tool which allows us to communicate directly with each other and our lawmakers.

If you aren’t already on Twitter visit our social media toolkit to learn how to sign up, and how to use your account for online advocacy
Follow The Lanterman Coalition’s Twitter account
when you tweet about the budget remember to use #KeepThePromise so that other budget advocates can find you and share your tweet

Tag: #KeepThePromise