As we reported previously, Governor Murphy's proposed FY21 Budget maintains funding for supports and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and it also includes money to raise wages for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). This outcome was made possible by our grassroots support and because of everyone who took the time to make their voice heard.
But the fight isn't over yet. We need your voice again to ensure the Governor's funding proposals remain in the final Budget document that must be signed into law by September 30, 2020. With that in mind, the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees need to hear from you by Friday, September 11.
Send the Committee members the following message but feel free to personalize with some details about yourself, your loved one, or a person with I/DD who you support:
Please support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families by maintaining the funding items included in Governor Murphy's proposed FY21 Budget. The Governor's Budget ensures people with I/DD will continue to receive critically-important services. Additionally, the Budget also includes funding to raise wages for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who provide the hands-on assistance that people with I/DD and their families depend on. We must keep DSP wages above the state's increasing minimum wage so that people with I/DD will have the staff they need.
Due to COVID-19, the Committees are not holding in-person meetings but you can still submit comments in one of the following ways:
Option 1:
Email a copy of your testimony to the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees at this address: LBFO@njleg.org.
Option 2:
Mail a copy of your testimony to the two following addresses:
Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
C/O Legislative Budget and Finance Office
Office of Legislative Services
P.O. Box 068
Trenton NJ 08625-0068
Assembly Budget Committee
C/O Legislative Budget and Finance Office
Office of Legislative Services
P.O. Box 068
Trenton NJ 08625-0068
Upon receipt, your testimony will be shared with and reviewed by committee members and staff and made available to the public via the Legislature’s website.
