In early March, Governor Baker released his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2016 (which begins officially on July 1, 2015). That budget included a 50% slash to Recovery Learning Community (RLC) budgets across the state, leaving the RLCs decimated. Since that time, the RLC community has come together to rally and advocate for full restoration.
On Wednesday, April 15, the Massachusetts House of Representatives officially released their proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2016 (which begins on July 1, 2015).
We’re thrilled to report that the House’s proposal
included full restoration of the RLC budget!
This is GREAT news. However, the fight isn’t over yet.
The next step is for the Massachusetts Senate to develop and put out a budget proposal in May, and we want to make sure that the Senate also includes full restoration to the RLC.
So, what next?
First, we are encouraging everyone to THANK our Representatives and their aides!
We are so appreciative that they took the time to meet with so many of us, read our e-mails, take our phone calls and consider our concerns and point of view. Many representatives took the time to come visit our centers, attend hearings and listen to testimony, and even speak up in support of us in public forums in some instances.
Next, we need to keep up the outreach!
(phone calls, e-mails, in person meetings) with our state Senators and ask them to do the same.
Please see page 8 of our online calendar for suggestions on what to say to both Representatives and Senators, or click here.
And thank you to all of YOU who took the time to write letters, make phone calls, and come out to hearings and the April 1 rally!
We would NOT be here without you.
Watch our new ‘Save the RLCs’ video here: