From Bruce Liggett of ACCA:
"It has been a week now since the legislature passed and the Governor signed a bill to provide funding to allow 15,000 children to continue to receive the benefits of the DES child care subsidy. I know it has been a gut wrenching month; first hearing about the planned cuts, learning about the availability of federal funds, those awful letters to parents, the Governor's support for restoring the program, and finally the legislature's action. We will never forget last week.
The incredible and unprecedented advocacy by ACCA members, staff, parents, and community partners produced tens of thousands of calls, e-mails, letters, and cards to the Governor and legislators and made the difference. They heard you, and ultimately 73 legislators voted "Yes" (only 10 voted "No"). On behalf of the Board and myself, we send a deeply felt "Thank You" for all you did.
Unfortunately, we were not able to get the program fully restored - our rates were cut 5%, the waiting list is still in place, and co-pays were raised for additional children.
We are now advocating for FULL RESTORATION OF THE CHILD CARE PROGRAM on July 1st. There are sufficient federal funds remaining from the federal stimulus bill to end the waiting list, raise rates, and lower co-pays. We are getting information about the development of the 2010 budget and are weighing in with the "Full Restoration" message. The State agencies have developed potential impacts for additional cuts of 5% to 20% and they are devastating beyond belief - but at this point they are only discussion documents. We will send you more specific information as it becomes available and Action Alerts as necessary."
In the mean time, you can:
Send thank you e-mails or notes to:
the Governor http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp
Your legislators
http://www.azleg.gov/alisStaticPages/HowToContactMember