Article provided by Project H.O.M.E. (http://www.projecthome.org):
A bill that would eliminate Pennsylvania’s General Assistance program (GA – HB33) was passed by the state assembly House in a near-party-line vote on last week afternoon. It will likely be voted on in the state Senate this week.
We need your help NOW to encourage preservation of this life-saving program that offers a small amount of cash assistance (roughly $200/month) to our most desperate and vulnerable neighbors. Here’s some ways you can act:
- The PA Budget & Policy Center has set up a “Save GA” click-to-call action page athttps://www.krc-pbpc.org/call-your-legislator-tell-them-oppose-elimination-of-general-assistance/ to connect users with the office of their senator, and it is also posted on the PA’s Choice FB page at https://www.facebook.com/PAsChoice/posts/2325660434167089.
To use the click-to-call tool, simply click on the link (bit.ly/SaveGACall), enter the number of the phone you will be using, and the system will immediately call you, & play a message with some tips about what to say to your senator, while a set of talking points appears on your computer screen. You will then be prompted to enter your zip code on the phone, and the system will connect you with your senator’s number so that you can tell them that they need to oppose any legislation that would eliminate General Assistance in Pennsylvania! You can also skip the click-to-call tool by directly dialing into the system using this toll-free number—833-730-5882—or you can locate direct dial information for your Senator at http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/index.cfm#address. Feel free to invite others to use this tool to make a call.
- Project HOME has set up an email action page at http://action.projecthome.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=1075 where people can immediately send an email to their state senators, encouraging them to do protect General Assistance. You are welcome to make use of the tool to generate emails to senators.
- Several allies are organizing a “Defend General Assistance” Call-In Day on Monday (6/24), encouraging people to call senators’ offices to insist that they defend the program, not eliminate it. All are welcome to make use of the toll-free line (833-730-5882) and the “Save GA” click-to-call tool (bit.ly/SaveGACall). Additionally, several organizations are sending people to the Capitol on Monday to visit senators’ offices, talk with the staff (or the senators), and distribute materials about GA, and they are inviting others to join them and/or coordinate with them in this effort. If you are interested in participating and would like more information, please email Jennine Miller of Project HOME (jenninemiller@projecthome.org), who is coordinating the effort.
Thank you for your faithful advocacy!
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