Action Alert #9: House Appropriations to Vote on Louisiana FY26 Budget

On Monday, May 12th, House Appropriations will vote on the state’s budget for Fiscal Year 26 (beginning July 1). The budget is House Bill 1 (HB1). The Council and LaCAN have been advocating for:

1. Recurring Funding for Families Helping Families Regional Resource Centers
   $500,000 was removed from the Council’s budget which impacts FHF Center funding. These dollars are not in HB1 at this time. If this funding is not restored, Center funding from the Council will be cut in half.

2. Protecting Disability Services
   Many people with disabilities and older adults need help at home or in their community. These important services are called home and community-based services (HCBS). These services help them live safely and happily. That’s why we need to make sure these services are fully funded and not taken away.

If you think these things are important, tell the committee members and join us for Yellow Shirt Day!

Email or Call Your House Appropriations Members

Tell your story to the House Appropriations Committee. You can share how you or someone you know has been helped by an FHF Regional Resource Center, or talk about why it’s important to protect services for people with disabilities.
Email or call the Chair and members of the House Appropriations Committee before the committee meets Monday, May 12th

• Find your member(s) of the House Appropriations Committee at the end of this alert.
  • With your comments, please include your name, address, phone number, email address, bill number (HB1) and let them know the specific issue(s) you are writing about.
  • Don’t forget to thank the Chair and members for considering the needs of the disability community.

Email [email protected] your public comments about the budget before the committee meets Monday, May 12th

• With your comments, please include your name, address, phone number, email address, bill number (HB1) and let them know the specific issue(s) you are writing about.
• Don’t forget to thank the committee for considering the needs of the disability community.

Attend Yellow Shirt Day

• Monday , May 12th at 9:00 AM
• Louisiana State Capitol – House Committee Room 5
• Be sure to arrive early so you can get a seat in the committee room

If you plan to attend Yellow Shirt Day, want to meet with your legislator(s), need a yellow shirt or want to find out about carpooling options, contact your LaCAN Leader.

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 camera icon to access the broadcast.

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