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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><p class=MsoNormal>Hi Phoenix chapter Family:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Just wanted to share some exciting news on the state legislative front. On Monday, SB 1402, the Bill that would have expanded access to entry into ASDB (Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind) to include all disabilities was pulled officially off the State senate floor!!! The bill was getting ready to be voted on and the sponsor took the floor to state that she thinks the bill needed more work and she wants to start an ad hoc committee with stakeholders to figure out a better solution. It was clear that the Senator was influenced by all the blind and deaf/hard of hearing advocates in the gallery. I think all our emails and energy we sent over also made a difference. We should pat ourselves on the back for this victory!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> In other news, HB2456, a bill that is designed to continue to fund ASDB for 8 years is scheduled to head to the Senate government committee. This is a little concerning because normally the bill passes through the appropriations committee with no fan fair as funding the school is normally a no-brainer. The fact that it is assigned to the government committee is alarming. We will continue to monitor the bill and will let you know when the bill is scheduled to be heard in the government committee. We will need to attend to ensure that there is nothing extra that will be attached to the bill as it makes its way through that committee. We definitely believe that ASDB should continue to exist and we need to do everything in our power to see that through.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please reach out if you have any questions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jordan Moon<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Arizona<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Phoenix Chapter President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(951) 316-5363<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>