Hello, my name is [Your Name] and I’m a constituent of [Legislator]'s. I’m calling to urge the Senator to support the following programs and urge Leadership including Chairman Rodrigues to include them in the state budget. These programs are important to me because [share why they are important to you].

Note: Feel free to highlight all or choose the programs you can speak best to.

Raise cash assistance grants in the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) (4403-2000) & Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) programs (4408-1000)
Raise the TAFDC and EAEDC grants to 50% of the Federal Poverty Level in order to lift families out of deep poverty. Grants have not been significantly increased in 30 years and their value has severely diminished.

At least $185 million or adequate funding for Emergency Assistance (EA) family shelter, to ensure shelter providers have the resources to continue supporting families experiencing homelessness while maintaining the health and safety of families, staff, and communities. 

$50 million for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program (7004-9316) & $135 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) (7004-9024)
Provide RAFT to help families and others avoid evictions and maintain housing by paying back rent payments, back utility payments, first and last month's rent, security deposits, and transportation. MRVP is critical to ensuring families have access to stable and affordable housing.

$500,000 for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, free tax assistance sites that enable tax filers to access federal economic impact payments, federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits, etc.

Please also urge legislators to support Raise Up's Invest in Our Recovery proposal which seeks to raise significant new revenue from profitable corporations and shareholders this year in order to avoid massive budget cuts and invest in our communities.

We must ensure all families and individuals can meet their basic needs and stay safe and healthy during this pandemic. 

I appreciate the Senator's support. Thank you for your time.

Hello, my name is [Your Name] and I’m a constituent of [Legislator]'s. I’m calling to urge the Representative to support these programs and urge Leadership including Chairman Michlewitz to include them in the state budget. These programs are important to me because (share why they are important to you).

Note: Feel free to highlight all or choose the programs you can speak best to.

Raise cash assistance grants in the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) (4403-2000) & Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) programs (4408-1000)
Raise the TAFDC and EAEDC grants to 50% of the Federal Poverty Level in order to lift families out of deep poverty. Grants have not been significantly increased in 30 years and their value has severely diminished.

At least $185 million or adequate funding for Emergency Assistance (EA) family shelter, to ensure shelter providers have the resources to continue supporting families experiencing homelessness while maintaining the health and safety of families, staff, and communities. 

$50 million for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program (7004-9316) & $135 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) (7004-9024)
Provide RAFT to help families and others avoid evictions and maintain housing by paying back rent payments, back utility payments, first and last month's rent, security deposits, and transportation. MRVP is critical to ensuring families have access to stable and affordable housing.

$500,000 for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, free tax assistance sites that enable tax filers to access federal economic impact payments, federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits, etc.

Please also urge legislators to support Raise Up's Invest in Our Recovery proposal which seeks to raise significant new revenue from profitable corporations and shareholders this year in order to avoid massive budget cuts and invest in our communities.

We must ensure all families and individuals can meet their basic needs and stay safe and healthy during this pandemic. 

I appreciate the Representative's support. Thank you for your time.