Action Alert!
Help stop harmful cuts to human services
Your voice matters!
Legislative public hearings on the health and human services parts of the Governor’s Supplemental Budget
took place in early February. These cuts would cause real pain to real people—elders, children, people with physical and mental illnesses and disabilities, and very low income people in need of health care. The “savings” from these cuts would cost much more down the road in both human and economic terms. We are all in this together. Let’s share responsibility and get through these tough times as Mainers always have—caring for each other, especially those with the greatest needs.
Here are the cuts that MAIN and Maine Equal Justice are taking the lead on.
- Enrollment will continue to be closed in the MaineCare “non-categorical” program serving very low income
adults without children.
- Elderly and disabled legal immigrants will lose state-funded SSI benefits—in many cases their total income.
- Families receiving TANF will no longer be eligible for General Assistance—even in emergencies.
Read more on these issues
The Governor’s Supplemental Budget also proposes some important improvements to the TANF program.
But, they are not enough to replace the assistance provided to TANF families through General Assistance.
There are many additional serious cuts in this budget, including those to the HOME fund and mental health and elder
services. If you have questions about these or other cuts, call Vi Raymond at Engage Maine: 441-2175.
Let Your Voice be Heard: Contact Your Legislators!
Contact your legislators through the toll-free message service in Augusta or by email. Ask them to:
“Please find a better way. Don’t balance the budget by adding to the suffering of Maine people who already
struggle to make ends meet.” Tell them how these programs help you or others you know.
Toll-free message service in Augusta:
Senators: 1-800-423-6900
Representatives: 1-800-423-2900
TO FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR go to: www.congress.org
Next, type in your zip code on the left under “My Elected Officials.”
This will give the names and contact information of both state and federal officials.
Or call your town office or city hall, or MEJP at 1-866-626-7059.
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