General Assistance Action Alert: Activist New Mexico

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General Assistance Action Alert

Posted on Feb 08, 2010 by NM Coalition to End Homelessness

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Message*	General Assistance Action Alert <a href="http://activistnm.org/actions/?id=4020">http://activistnm.org/actions/?id=4020</a> Action Alert!<br /> <br /> Timeframe: Within the next two days<br /> <br /> The Issue: General Assistance (GA) is a state funded program that provides cash benefits to adults with disabilities who do not have another source of income and are unable to work due to their disability. The GA program is an important source of income for many people experiencing homelessness and at risk of homelessness. The Legislature needs to appropriate $9.6 million to the General Assistance program for Fiscal Year 2011 to prevent any cuts to the program.<br /> What's Happening: There is good news - on Friday Feburary 5th the House passed a budget bill - called House Bill (HB) 2 - that appropriates funding for the state agencies and their programs. HB2 appropriates $9.5 million to the GA program. The budget bill also includes language that allows the Human Services Department to carry over some funds for the GA program from one fiscal year to the next, giving the program more stability. But the fight is not over yet. Now, the bill heads over to the Senate where the Senate Finance Committee will most likely make many changes to HB2 - particularly by reducing spending on programs and services.<br /> <br /> How You Can Help: Call the Senate Finance Committee members and tell them to keep the $9.5 million appropriation for the GA program that is in HB2 and to keep the carryover authority langauge. Below is a list of Senate Finance Committee members along with their direct office numbers at the Capitol and the counties that are included in their district. Please call the legislator(s) who represent the area nearest you. Most likely you will speak with the legislator's secretary and you can leave a message with that person.<br /> <br /> Senator Smith - (Hidalgo, Luna and Sierra Counties) (505) 986-4363<br /> Senator Cisneros - (Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe and Taos Counties) (505) 986-4365<br /> Senator Pete Campos - (Guadalupe, Mora, San Miguel, Santa Fe and Torrance Counties) (505) 986-4311<br /> Senator Morales - (Catron, Grant and Socorro Counties) (505) 986-4863<br /> Senator Ortiz y Pino - (Bernalillo County) (505) 986-4380<br /> Senator Papen - (Dona Ana County) (505) 986-4270<br /> Senator Rodriguez - (Santa Fe County) (505) 986-4264<br /> Senator Beffort - (Bernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe and Torrance) (505) 986-4395<br /> Senator Caroll Leavell - (Eddy and Lea Counties) (505) 986-4278<br /> Senator Neville - (San Juan County) (505) 986-4266<br /> Senator Adair - (Chaves and Lincoln County) (505) 986-4385
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Date(s): Mon, Feb 8th, 2010 thru Mon, Mar 1st, 2010

Action Alert!

Timeframe: Within the next two days

The Issue: General Assistance (GA) is a state funded program that provides cash benefits to adults with disabilities who do not have another source of income and are unable to work due to their disability. The GA program is an important source of income for many people experiencing homelessness and at risk of homelessness. The Legislature needs to appropriate $9.6 million to the General Assistance program for Fiscal Year 2011 to prevent any cuts to the program.
What's Happening: There is good news - on Friday Feburary 5th the House passed a budget bill - called House Bill (HB) 2 - that appropriates funding for the state agencies and their programs. HB2 appropriates $9.5 million to the GA program. The budget bill also includes language that allows the Human Services Department to carry over some funds for the GA program from one fiscal year to the next, giving the program more stability. But the fight is not over yet. Now, the bill heads over to the Senate where the Senate Finance Committee will most likely make many changes to HB2 - particularly by reducing spending on programs and services.

How You Can Help: Call the Senate Finance Committee members and tell them to keep the $9.5 million appropriation for the GA program that is in HB2 and to keep the carryover authority langauge. Below is a list of Senate Finance Committee members along with their direct office numbers at the Capitol and the counties that are included in their district. Please call the legislator(s) who represent the area nearest you. Most likely you will speak with the legislator's secretary and you can leave a message with that person.

Senator Smith - (Hidalgo, Luna and Sierra Counties) (505) 986-4363
Senator Cisneros - (Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe and Taos Counties) (505) 986-4365
Senator Pete Campos - (Guadalupe, Mora, San Miguel, Santa Fe and Torrance Counties) (505) 986-4311
Senator Morales - (Catron, Grant and Socorro Counties) (505) 986-4863
Senator Ortiz y Pino - (Bernalillo County) (505) 986-4380
Senator Papen - (Dona Ana County) (505) 986-4270
Senator Rodriguez - (Santa Fe County) (505) 986-4264
Senator Beffort - (Bernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe and Torrance) (505) 986-4395
Senator Caroll Leavell - (Eddy and Lea Counties) (505) 986-4278
Senator Neville - (San Juan County) (505) 986-4266
Senator Adair - (Chaves and Lincoln County) (505) 986-4385