Hi everyone! I'm am circulating a sign on letter to House Democrats in support of this budget ask. It is already signed by Representatives Macri, Leavitt and Shewmake. We are asking other House Democrats to sign it by 10:00 AM tomorrow. Can you help by reaching
out to lawmakers today to ask them to sign on? Each of them, minus Rep's Ormsby, Bergquist and Gregerson are getting the request. These ones are who the letter is addressed to because they are the other Operating Budget writers (so it would be awkward to ask
them to sign a letter addressed to themselves). Below is a sample email that you could use - or that your colleagues could use. I included information on how to look up your lawmaker in case you are asking folks to send emails who may not already have that
information at their finger tips.
For now we are just focusing on the House for this letter - but the Senate also still needs to be pushed to include this in their budget. If we can secure it in the House though, we are in good shape for the budget negotiations. And this letter will really
help. So please help me by asking folks to sign on!
To sign on, they can email me confirming that they want to be added or they can call or text me at 206-245-6597. If they confirm with you directly, please just let me know before the deadline tomorrow morning.
Let me know if you need anything,
thanks!!
Michele
Hi! Attached is the handout and also the sign on letter being circulated to lawmakers.
Below is a suggestion on how to craft the email to lawmakers. To get their email address and their LA's email address folks can go here:
https://app.leg.wa.gov/Rosters/
Dear lawmaker,
I am reaching out to ask you to support a very important budget request championed by Representatives Macri, Shewmake and Leavitt that will help Washington's frontline homeless service providers meet their basic needs.
Our ability to prevent and end homelessness in Washington State rests on the shoulders of our frontline workers, but they are often underpaid and work in very difficult circumstances. I know this because I am one of those workers. [Insert personal story here]
Our nonprofit homeless housing and homelessness service organizations are struggling to retain workers and to fill vacancies. The state needs to do more to support workers and nonprofits. This budget request will create
a stipend program to help frontline workers meet their basic needs and will fund a study to identify systemic solutions to the problem.
[if people send the email today: One way you can support this is by signing the attached sign on letter. If you are willing to sign on, please let Michele Thomas at the Housing Alliance know by no later than 10:00 AM
on Friday the 10th. You can confirm your signature via email or phone: Michelet@wliha.org or 206-245-6597]
Michele Thomas
Director of Policy and Advocacy
Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
(Contact Michele via the Housing Alliance Action Fund at MicheleT@housingactionfund.org)