…it’s the Super Committee!
Flickr: Jason Csizmadi
Here is a critical Call to Action from the Washington State Low Income Housing Alliance (WLIHA):
The Super Committee has created a Friday deadline for receiving input from House and Senate Committees, and advocates from across the country are coming together to provide input as well.
Please join this national call-in day by contacting Senator Patty Murray Thursday, October 13 to ask that the Super Committee protect programs for low-income people and raise revenue from those who can afford it.
Senator Murray’s D.C. office: (202) 224-2621
Sample message: “We can’t afford more cuts. It’s time to ask those who are not hurting to contribute. In the plan to reduce the deficit, please include a significant increase in revenue.”
Organizations are also urged to write a letter to Senator Murray with a message to protect low-income people and find new sources of revenue. The Housing Alliance has been told that the Senator’s office takes such organizational letters very seriously. Please consider writing a letter and sharing examples of how cuts to affordable housing, homelessness, and other vital programs will affect your organization’s work and your community.
Many critical decisions are being made in the other Washington this Fall; decisions that will impact funding for affordable housing and homelessness programs this year and for many years to come.
The Joint Special Committee on Deficit Reduction (the “Super Committee”) is co-chaired by Senator Murray. This committee was handed a mandate to create a plan to address at least $1.2 trillion in cuts or savings over ten years and to present this plan to Congress by November 23.
Advocates from across the country will be calling Super Committee members on Thursday to ask them to protect affordable housing and homelessness programs and I hope you’ll join us by calling Senator Murray.
To Find More Information:
Alouise Urness, Federal Advocacy Coordinator alouise (at) wliha (.) org.
More Background:
Click here for more information on the Joint Special Committee on Deficit Reduction.
To access a pdf on how the deficit reduction process specified by the Budget Control Act of 2011 works, please click here.
To read a plan to reduce the deficit by $1.5 trillion, without additional cuts to non-defense discretionary programs, please click here.
recently summarized their past year’s work in engaging nonprofit boards to advocate for their organizations and to end homelessness. Much applause to them and with the new session fast approaching, it is never too late to start thinking about board advocacy activities for the 2012 legislative year! You can read their post here.
Housing Development Consortium has their 2012 Advocacy Agenda.
Washington Low Income Housing Alliance also has a 2012 Legislative Agenda and don’t forget that Friday, January 20 is Housing and Homeless Advocacy Day.
And if you are hip to the national scene, check out the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
