Action Alert #11: Testify on Louisiana HB1 and HB460 in Senate Finance

Louisiana’s Budget Bills: HB1 and HB460

The state’s budget bill for next year (HB1) has passed the House with changes, also known as amendments, and will now go to the Senate Finance Committee. They want to hear your thoughts on Public Testimony Day, which will be next Thursday, May 22nd, at 9:30 AM.
Currently, HB1 does not cut any funding for disability services! However, the committee still needs to know how important these services are as they make their own changes to the state’s budget.

There is also a second budget bill, HB460, which restores $250,000 for Families Helping Families (FHF) Regional Resource Centers. While we’re grateful for this funding, an additional $250,000 is needed to fully fund these centers.

For more details on these funding issues, check out the fact sheets below:

• Recurring Funding for Families Helping Families Regional Resource Centers
• Protect Disability Services

Please contact Senate Finance today, and join us for Yellow Shirt Day next Thursday!

How to Take Action
Tell the Senate Education Committee about your own experiences with seclusion and restraint. Share with them your thoughts about the changes to the seclusion and restraint law and any ideas you may have on how to make schools and classrooms safer for students with disabilities.

Email or call the Chair and members of the Senate Education Committee before the committee meets Thursday, May 29th

• Find the Chair and your member(s) of the Senate Education Committee at the end of this alert.
• With your comments, please include your name, address, phone number, email address, and bill number (HB684).
• Don’t forget to thank the Chair and members for thinking about the needs of students with disabilities.

Email [email protected] your public comments before the committee meets Thursday, May 29th

• With your comments, please include your name, address, phone number, email address, and bill number (HB684).
• Don’t forget to thank the Chair and members for thinking about the needs of students with disabilities.

Share Your Testimony & Attend Yellow Shirt Day

• Wednesday, May 28th at 1:00 PM
• Louisiana State Capitol – John J. Hainkel, Jr. Room
• Be sure to arrive early so you can get a seat in the committee room

Contact your LaCAN Leader if you need help with this alert or would like more information about Public Testimony and Yellow Day.
Can’t make it for Yellow Shirt Day? You can watch the committee meeting(s) live from the legislature’s website. When the meeting is in progress, click the TV icon.

Confirm Your Action

• Email your LaCAN Leader after you take action
• Why confirm your action? This helps the Council know how effective we are reaching you with important information and engaging members across our state in advocacy for systems change.

Tips & Tools for Advocacy
Looking for tips and tools to help you in your advocacy? Check out the Council’s Advocacy 101 page.
You can also find tips for:

• Writing/emailing your legislators
• Calling your legislators
• Writing your story