“the time is always right to do the right thing” ― Martin Luther King Jr. Friends, comrades, public benefits advocates, anti-poverty warriors, reproductive justice fighters, and foes of racism: I am writing to seek help from each of you to repeal the Maximum Family Grant policy in California because of the assistance you have provided to us on this cause in the past. Mainly, I need you all to spend 10 minutes (or less) making some phone calls to tell our elected officials why the policy is so terrible and why it needs to be eliminated in the budget process. You already know why this policy sucks, so I will spare you the details, but if you need data, fact sheets are attached. Last Friday, to our shock and dismay, SB 899, our bill to eliminate the MFG rule was held in Senate Appropriations. Truth be told, our coalition was expecting our bill to pass out of the committee. For a minute there, I was paralyzed, and crying – this racist and harmful policy is going to continue in our “Golden State” as women and children go without homes and diapers. The existence of the MFG rule in this period of California history is nothing less than disgraceful; and frankly, our elected officials do not care enough to stop it…at this point…and maybe that’s just the cold hard truth. That’s the case even though the elimination is supported by over 80 organizations, and 10,000 individuals who have signed on to petitions to voice support for the end of this harmful rule. And we have asked our leadership, at the very beginning of the budget process, to include the elimination of the MFG rule in the budget. They have not heard our call, despite this being the issue that the CalWORKs community cares about the most. It’s nothing less than egregious. My mind and spirit tells me that the fight isn’t over yet, and should this racist policy be maintained by our government and our leaders, it’s time to let them know what we think. Our voices need to be heard. I am hoping some of you will want to spend a little bit of your time fighting this today - even if you are already so busy, and have tons of things you are already fighting about. Here’s what you can do with your 10 minutes: 1. Call these leaders, particularly if you are one of their constituents, but even if you are not because now they are part of the budget making process for the State and it’s all fair game. State leaders to call: Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, District 15 (representing Hercules, El Sobrante, Richmond, Albany, Berkeley, parts of Oakland), 916-319-2015 Senator Mark Leno, District 11 (representing San Francisco, Colma, Daily City, South San Francisco), 916-651-4011 Senator Loni Hancock, District 9 (representing Berkeley, Oakland, El Cerrito, San Pablo, Pinole, Emeryville, Albany, San Leandro), 916-651-4009 Governor Jerry Brown, 916-445-2841 Senator Darrell Steinberg, 916-651-4006 Speaker Toni Atkins, 916-319-2078 You can say whatever you want, as most of you know enough about this policy by now, but should you need a script, here is one. Script: Hi. My name is [NAME] and I’m calling to urge the repeal of CalWORKs Maximum Family Grant rule in this year’s budget. This ineffective policy drives families deeper into poverty and leads to worse outcomes for children. It also limits women’s reproductive decisions and creates government intrusion into families. Please repeal the MFG rule through the budget now! 2. Sign the ACLU’s petition to repeal the MFG policy in the Budget. https://ms.clicks.actions.aclu.org/t/cfkbZaBAHtQABA6N36JC9aOMsHX4-7aaaaJC9OMs?k=~@rCxBy&o=b4QxX_oRmbm.e1W&oU=vkkdr_UlSvS.yhq&b=Lt0&n=&1=%23 3. In addition to making the calls and signing the petition, please take 20 seconds to send this tweet: .@ProTemSteinberg @toniatkins Invest in and budget for California families! Help us repeal the Maximum Family Grant rule this year! #BUDGET
Posted on: Fri, 30 May 2014 18:12:18 +0000
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