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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='mso-ligatures:none'> Amy Porterfield <APorterfield@saavi.us> <br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, February 21, 2024 4:40 PM<br><b>To:</b> nfb.az.president@gmail.com<br><b>Subject:</b> SB1335 still needs our support<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hello Federationists,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks to all of you who took time to write to the members of the Sennate Appropriations committee in support of SB1335 which adds one million dollars to the Independent Living program for the blind. Because of our collective action, the bill passed out of the appropriations committee with 5 yes, 3 no and 2 abstaining votes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We have yet a long road until this bill becomes reality. Please stay tuned as we wait to learn if SB1335 is sent to another committee or to the Sennate floor for vote. We expect to hear it in another committee. Wherever it goes, we will need your help with more email’s calls and active participation in the next vote. The 2025 budget is very contentious as we are in a deficit, and programs are being cut while we and many other groups are asking for additional funding. It is through our advocacy together that will let our elected officials know that we take our training for newly blind seniors seriously. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We will stay vigilant as we continue to track SB 1335 through the process together.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you all again,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none'>Amy Porterfield, She/Her<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none'>Legislative Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none'>National Federation of the Blibd of Arizona<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none'>520-396-8707<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:aporterfield@saavi.us"><span style='color:blue'>aporterfield@saavi.us</span></a><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div></body></html>