ALERT: Cuts proposed to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Programs in Virginia

March 9, 2010: The House and Senate Conferees are currently in negotiations to try to resolve the differences between the House and Senate budgets by Saturday, March 13th. In short, the House is identifying what fees increases they can support in a final budget and the Senate is deciding what cuts they can support.

Action STILL Needed to Protect Funding for Domestic Violence Services!

We need to get a strong message to the House and Senate Conferees to protect funding for domestic violence services by supporting an increase in the marriage license fee to $45, as proposed in the Senate budget. The funds generated with this fee increase will help restore the domestic violence programs funding which is cut by 31% in the House budget. What we are proposing is a compromise – the $15 increase ($30 to $45) in the marriage license will preserve the opportunity to provide services to children and youth without sacrificing services to adult victims.

What Must I Do to Help?

Its simple…Letters, letters, and more letters!!!

Write a personal letter to each of the Senate and House Conferees even if they are not your Delegate or Senator

1. Fax the letters immediately to their Richmond Offices (See Attached for Conferee Mailing Addresses and Fax Numbers)
2. Mail the original to their Richmond offices no later than Thursday, March 11, 2010
3. We encourage you to “cc” your Delegate and/or Senator and fax them a copy of the letter to the Conferees.
   1. If you do not know who your state Senator or Delegate is, go to: http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform.
   2. For Delegate fax numbers, go to http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView and click on your Delegate.
   3. The Senate fax # is (804) 698-7651

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of sending letters. We must make a lot of NOISE to be heard! Calls, while important at the start of this process, are not going to be enough to get our funding restored!!!

Key Points to include in a Letter

1. Mention that the House proposes to cut funding for domestic violence services by 31%–discuss why you believe funding for domestic violence services needs to be a priority.
2. Share a recent and compelling example of how the domestic violence program’s shelter and/or advocacy services make a difference to victims of domestic violence in your community.
3. Mention that the Senate proposed a $15 increase in the marriage license fee, making it $45, to fund domestic violence services and why you would support this fee increase to save domestic violence services in your community.

Is there a Sample Letter for me to Use?

We have been intentional about not providing sample letters. These are not as effective as communications that have a personal touch and tone. In lieu of a Sample Letter, we have provided a short list of key points for you to address in your letters to the Conferees. It is our hope that these can help you frame your message.

Our objective is to have your letters stand out, be read, and make a difference! If they are personalized, we have a better chance of making that happen!

For an example of how to format a letter to a Delegate/Senator, please visit:
http://legis.virginia.gov/1_cit_guide/contacting_my.html

If you have any questions or concerns about this information, please contact the Action Alliance Co-Directors, Jeanine Beiber or Kristi VanAudenhove at directors@vsdvalliance.org or 804-377-0335. Thank you for your support!

Address postal inquiries to:
Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alli
5008 Monument Ave.
Ste. A
Richmond, VA 23230