 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||
Serve Michigan Update
A program of the ConnectMichigan Alliance and the Michigan Nonprofit Association
Action Alert!
May 10, 2007
ACTION NEEDED TODAY TO PROTECT FUNDING FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE!
The state is considering turning back millions of federal dollars in support of national and community service. Make YOUR opposition to this heard today by calling Speaker Andy Dillon and Majority Leader Mike Bishop.
Speaker Dillon - 517-373-0857
Majority Leader Bishop - 517-373-2417
The following are suggested talking points for your call. Whenever possible, please include stories about how this elimination of funding will impact your community.
- With modest investment from state government, national and community service programs across the state are working diligently to meet critical needs in communities. Programs provide much needed assistance to help local schools recruit tutors (education ) , help the uninsured gain access to health care, provide mentors to children without a caring adult, disaster preparedness and homeland security efforts and so much more. Examples of these programs include, but are not limited to, 4H Mentoring programs, Michigan Groundwater Stewardship, Michigan Habitat's AmeriCorps, and service learning programs in K-12 schools across the state.
- These programs are now in jeopardy. Members of the Michigan House and Senate are currently meeting to iron out the differences between the Senate and House versions of SB 220, a supplemental appropriations for this current fiscal year. The version of SB 220 as passed by the Senate eliminates $1 million in funding for the Michigan Community Service Commission, which administers and provides resources to support national and community services in local communities.
- If the state eliminates this funding from the budget it means that the state will not have the necessary matching funds to receive $6.2 million in federal dollars for these vital national service programs. The state would forfeit the $6.2 million from the federal government to support these programs in local communities.
- Because of the formula and timetable used by the federal government, this cut means that the Michigan Community Service Commission would be unable to support volunteer programs and activities in the next fiscal year. Which in turn would mean the end of these much needed programs that meet critical needs in local communities.
- I urge you to maintain funding for these important programs.