It's important to be as brief as possible and get your point across clearly. In person meetings (even if with aides rather than directly with a legislator) are likely to have the most impact, but phone calls and e-mails count, too. Below are some suggested statements for each scenario.
Click here for a PDF of sample statements that you can share with others!
E-mail Contact
Dear Representative/Senator ___________,
A 1.7 million cut to the Recovery Learning Communities’ budget is proposed by Governor Baker for Fiscal Year 2016. This cut to the Adult Community Mental Health Services line item would slash funding for the state’s six Recovery Learning Communities by 50%. This cut is listed in the sub-accounts of the Adult Mental Health Services appropriation (5046-0000) which was reduced overall by $6,424,773 ($1,734,000 of which is from the RLCs).
As your constituent, I am writing you from (Street Address and Town).
Today I am asking you to contact the Ways and Means Committee and express your support for restoration of the full $3.4 million needed to fully fund the Recovery Learning Communities in Fiscal Year 2016. I am also asking that you identify this as one of your budget priorities.
Recovery Learning Communities support thousands of people each year in avoiding hospitalization, searching for work and housing, addressing substance abuse issues and finding meaningful roles in their communities. Recovery Learning Communities save tax payers hundreds of thousands of dollars by reducing 911 calls, emergency room visits and hospital stays.
Recovery Learning Communities are the only supports funded by the Department of Mental Health that are easily accessible without wait lists or a referral or eligibility process. Every citizen of Massachusetts in need of immediate support can get help at a Recovery Learning Community.
The $3.4 million dollars that currently funds Recovery Learning Communities is less than one half of one percent of the Department of Mental Health current budget of $735 million. Any cut to this already very small budget would be hard to manage, but a 50% cut would literally devastate the Recovery Learning Communities’ ability to function.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Phone Call (no meeting requested)
My name is __________ and I am a constituent who lives in ______________.
I am calling because the Massachusetts Recovery Learning Communities are fighting for full funding of their $3.4 million budget following the Governor’s proposal to cut Recovery Learning Communities budget by 50% ($1.7 million). This cut is listed in the sub-accounts of the Adult Mental Health Services appropriation (5046-0000).
I am asking for Representative/Senator ______________ to go to the Ways and Means Committee and ask for full restoration of the Recovery Learning Communities’ $3.4 million budget, and to make this one of their budget priorities.
I can be contacted at [your phone/e-mail].
Phone Call to Request a Meeting
My name is __________ and I am a constituent who lives in ______________.
I am calling because the Massachusetts Recovery Learning Communities are fighting for full funding of their $3.4 million budget following the Governor’s proposal to cut Recovery Learning Communities budget by 50% ($1.7 million). This cut is listed in the sub-accounts of the Adult Mental Health Services appropriation (5046-0000).
I would like to meet directly with Representative/Senator ______________ to ask them to go to the Ways and Means Committee and ask for full restoration of the Recovery Learning Communities’ $3.4 million budget, and to make this a budget priority.
Is there a time when Representative/Senator ______________ is available to meet?
