State Advocacy Update

State Advocacy Update
By Jerry Dawson, President

The Chapter launched a major initiative earlier this year to help maintain a $300,000 appropriation in the state budget.  The appropriation had been $400,000 annually but was cut to $300,000 in 2009.  This year, the funding is slated to disappear altogether due to the budget shortfall unless lawmakers take action to reinstate it.

Over the past two months, people who attended our Walks signed postcards to their Senators and Representatives telling them why they care.  When all was said and done, there were over 4,000 postcards mailed and thousands of calls made asking lawmakers to protect and support the ALS appropriation.  Meetings were held with key lawmakers from both the House and Senate.  These meetings included moving testimonies from PALS and caregivers.  We know that we have done all we can to protect this critical funding.  In fact, one prominent Member of the Senate congratulated the Chapter for doing a better job than any other organization of demonstrating the need, showing how the funds are well spent and making sure our message is heard loud and clear.  The campaign was orchestrated by the Chapter’s Advocacy Committee but it would not have been successful if not for the thousands of people who completed their postcards and made their calls.  The Chapter would like to thank everyone who participated in this effort.  There is no question that grassroots advocacy works.