Conference Committee Appointed to Iron Out Difference Between House and Senate Budgets.

Massachusetts Catholic Conference

June 2, 2009

Thank you!   Your advocacy encouraged the Senate to restore funding to many important affordable housing, homelessness prevention and income support programs during their budget debate.

Continued advocacy is vital. There are huge differences between the House and Senate versions of the FY’10 budget. A Conference Committee will work out these differences. The Committee includes the two Chairs of Ways and Means, Senator Steven Panagiotakos (D-Lowell) and Representative Charles Murphy (D-Burlington), along with Senator Stephen Brewer (D-Barre), Senator Michael Knapik (R-Westfield), Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover), and Representative Viriato “Vinny” deMacedo (R-Plymouth). To protect shelter, affordable housing, homelessness prevention and income programs for low-income households, everyone’s voice must be heard.

Take Action

• Call your State Representative and State Senator. The main State House number is 617-722-2000.

• Your message can be as simple as this:  

“Hello, my name is ____.  I am a constituent who lives at [give home street address and town] and I am calling in support of four important line items in the state budget to help the homeless and other vulnerable persons. Please ask the Senator [Representative] to support:

1. Emergency Assistance Family Shelter and Services Account (EA- Line Item 7004-0101) by adopting the House’s language and appropriation level of $93.8 million.
2. Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children Program (EAEDC – Line Item 4408-1000) by maintaining the funding level recommended by both the House and the Senate.
3. Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP – Line Item 7004-9024) by adopting the House’s appropriation of 35.7 million.
4. Residential Assistance for Families in Transition Program (RAFT – Line Item 7004-9316) by adopting the House’s language and appropriation of $5.5 million.

Urge the Senator [Representative] to ask the Senate President [House Speaker] and Conference Committee members to support these measures.”

• To learn who your legislators are, go to www.wheredoivotema.com or call the main State House number at 617-722-2000.
• For additional information on these Conference Committee items, visit the following link, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.

Massachusetts Catholic Conference
West End Place, Suite 5
150 Staniford St.
Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2511
(v) 617-367-6060
(f) 617-367-2767
(e) staff@macathconf.org
(w) http://www.macathconf.org

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