[Greater-baltimore] Please write to your state delegates and senators

[Danielsen, Chris]

Dear Fellow Federationists:

It's that time of year again. While the Maryland General Assembly is in session, we must write to our delegates and representatives about the issues that are of concern to blind Marylanders. This year, we are seeking to establish a consistent funding stream for the Maryland Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH), and to support a line item in the Governor's budget proposal that will help establish a Center of Excellence in Nonvisual accessibility (CENA) at NFB headquarters in Baltimore. Sample letters about these initiatives are attached. Please take a moment to write your state delegates and senators. Please do this as soon as possible, and no later than February 28. If you can, take a moment to personalize the attached sample letters by explaining how important nonvisual accessibility and the library are to you. Please let me know when you have written your letters. If you would like for Greater Baltimore Chapter volunteers to write letters on your behalf, please let me or Joanne Wilson know. Joanne can be reached at jwilson at nfb.org<mailto:jwilson at nfb.org>.

The delegates and senators who serve the greater Baltimore area, and the issues on which you should write to them,  are listed below. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thanks in advance for taking the time to help in this important letter-writing effort.

Sincerely:

Chris Danielsen, President, Greater Baltimore Chapter


Letters of support for keeping the $250,000 in the budget for the CENA should be sent to members of the House Appropriations Committee, as follows:
People who live in Baltimore City should write to:
Barbara Robinson
Mary Washington
Keith Haynes

People who live in Baltimore County should write to:
Adrienne Jones
Steven DuBoy
Kathryn Szeliga

People who live in Anne Arundel County should write to:
Tony McConkey
Theodore Sophocleus

Send the following letters to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.

1.       Letters for the $250,000 in the budget for the CENA

2.       Letters for SB419 Funding for LBPH
Baltimore City:
Nataniel McFadden (Vice Chair)
Verna Jones-Rodwell

Baltimore County:
Edward Kasemeyer (Chairman)

Anne Arundel:
James DeGrange

Letters in support of HB1242 Funding for LBPH go to the House Ways and Means Committee
Baltimore City:
Talmadge Branch
Melvin Stukes
Nina Harper

Baltimore County:
Jon Cardin
Joseph Boteler

Anne Arundel:
Ron George

Please remember the deadline for these letters to be sent is ASAP or no later than Feb. 28, 2014.
If you have any questions, let me know!

Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Office: (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
Mobile: (410) 262-1281
E-mail: cdanielsen at nfb.org<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>

The National Federation of the Blind needs your support to ensure blind children get an equal education; to connect blind veterans with the training and services they need; and to help seniors who are losing vision continue to live independent and fulfilling lives. To make a donation, please go to www.nfb.org<http://www.nfb.org>.

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