THIS WEEK IN ADVOCACY
Welcome back to This Week in Advocacy, a brief publication by Easterseals Midwest designed to keep you informed of key advocacy issues, opportunities, and updates surrounding disability legislation in Missouri.
WHEW! ONLY 4 WEEKS LEFT FOR THE FY2025 BUDGET
The House is finally finishing the FY2025 budget, that is, until they participate in the process of the Conference Committee. For the last four years, one would have thought that with the amount of federal funds that made their way into the state coffers, governing with excessive money would be easier than governing with less funding. However, that may not be the case. We see the challenges that face the super majority party in the General Assembly and Administration and wonder what the environment might have looked like now if the onset of the pandemic had not led to an infusion of federal funding that grew every year for four years. Missouri saw its annual budget grow from $32 billion to an unimaginable $54 billion.
You wonder what the perfect mix is to create a well-oiled governing machine. Apparently, unlimited money is not the answer.
The FY2025 Budget failed to get traction from the Governor and in the House as the necessary dollars to support an increase in our rates to raise community-based providers of services to people with developmental disabilities to a more competitive wage did not materialize. Fortunately, we have experience dealing with this set of circumstances. Last year's experience taught us never to quit advocating for our priorities. The success of last year's $1.00 an-hour increase gives us reason to believe that lightning can strike twice and that the Senate, led by Lincoln Hough, can match or beat our previous year's number. Please be on the lookout for a call to action not too far down the road as we generate a statewide advocacy initiative to encourage Missouri Senators to support a rate increase for community-based providers.
With four weeks left, it's time for all hands on deck to make the necessary contacts to garner support for this critical piece of legislation.
SOLAR ECLIPSE SAFETY IN PLAIN LANGUAGE
On April 8, 2024, there will be a solar eclipse taking place and many people are planning to watch it. Looking at the sun during an eclipse is dangerous. If you plan to watch the eclipse, you need to understand what is happening and prepare for your safety by knowing what you can and cannot do.
Green Mountain Self-Advocates created Solar Eclipse Safety in Plain Language slides that help explain the eclipse and how to watch it safely.
GUARDIANSHIP, YOUR RIGHTS, and TOOLS FOR SELF-ADVOCACY
People First of Missouri
presents
"Guardianship, Your Rights, and Tools for Self-Advocacy"
April 16, 2024 | 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Want to know more about your rights and self-advocacy? Join in on the conversation as People First of Missouri brings Lisa Sutherland from Missouri Protection and Advocacy (MO P&A) and members of People First of MO to talk about rights, guardianship, and tools to develop self-advocacy skills.
This event is FREE and will be available virtually through Zoom. Anyone wanting to attend the event must register to receive the Zoom link.
Use the registration form or the QR Code to register for the event.
TAKE ACTION FOR AUTISM WEEKEND
If you are an advocate with us in the St. Louis region, we invite you to celebrate Take Action for Autism Weekend with us. April 26 - 28 has officially been declared Take Action for Autism Weekend by St. Louis City and County. Local businesses have joined us and will donate a portion of their proceeds from the weekend to Easterseals' life-changing autism services.
Dine out, go shopping, or have fun - every action during Take Action for Autism Weekend makes a difference for children, adults, and families impacted by autism in St. Louis. To learn more about getting involved and see all of our exceptional partners, visit TakeActionforAutism.org.
USING THE ADVOCACY ACTION CENTER TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
On the topic of knowing your Senator, Easterseals Board Member Jacque Bardgett has a quick tutorial on how to get the most out of our Advocacy Action Center. This is the home base for all things advocacy. Click here to watch the quick video to learn how to use all the features our Advocacy Action Center offers.
ADVOCACY WORKS
Advocacy works, and you prove that on a daily basis. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of all Missouri citizens with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Greg Kramer
Vice President of Government Relations
greg.kramer@esmw.org
314.853.4473