[NFBA-Tucson] Please send to Members: ACTION NEEDED: Final Push for SB1001 – Contact Speaker Montenegro and Senate President Petersen Today

Sat Apr 25 18:16:08 UTC 2026

Abdullah:
I sent this out yesterday. There was also something on this earlier in the week. Do you still want me to send it to the list?

> On Apr 24, 2026, at 1:11 PM, Abdallah Shuli via NFBA-Tucson <nfba-tucson at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
>> From: Jordan Moon <JMoon at saavi.us <mailto:JMoon at saavi.us>>
>> Date: April 24, 2026 at 12:32:02 PM MST
>> To: Amy Porterfield <APorterfield at saavi.us <mailto:APorterfield at saavi.us>>, NFBAZ President <nfb.az.president at gmail.com <mailto:nfb.az.president at gmail.com>>, Emily Papenfus <epapenfus at saavi.us <mailto:epapenfus at saavi.us>>, Kimberly Fetterman <kfetterman at saavi.us <mailto:kfetterman at saavi.us>>, Mark Feliz <mafeliz0641 at gmail.com <mailto:mafeliz0641 at gmail.com>>, Joanne Williams <JWilliams at saavi.us <mailto:JWilliams at saavi.us>>, Tarik Williams <TWilliams at saavi.us <mailto:TWilliams at saavi.us>>
>> Cc: NFBAZ Phoenix <nfbphoenixchapter at gmail.com <mailto:nfbphoenixchapter at gmail.com>>, Michael Smith <mikeshangout at cox.net <mailto:mikeshangout at cox.net>>, Heather Bowes <1ofbeauty at gmail.com <mailto:1ofbeauty at gmail.com>>, Maranda Ulvestad <ulvestadmaranda at gmail.com <mailto:ulvestadmaranda at gmail.com>>, Abdallah Shuli <AShuli at saavi.us <mailto:AShuli at saavi.us>>, Jordan Moon <JMoon at saavi.us <mailto:JMoon at saavi.us>>
>> Subject: Please send to Members: ACTION NEEDED: Final Push for SB1001 – Contact Speaker Montenegro and Senate President Petersen Today
>> 
>> 
>> Dear Federation Family, 
>> 
>> The finish line is in sight — but we need one final push. 
>> As I shared in my last update, Representative Livingston has committed to including SB1001's $1,000,000 appropriation for the Older Blind program in the final state budget, and we have been actively engaging with the Governor's office. That is incredible progress — and it is a direct result of your advocacy.
>> 
>> But we are not done yet. The budget is now in final negotiations, and we need to make sure that SB1001 is not lost or dropped in the final stretch. We have been fighting for this funding for four years. Last year, we came agonizingly close — only to have the appropriation pulled out at the last minute. We cannot let that happen again.
>> 
>>  
>> ACTION NEEDED Today
>> Please send TWO brief emails — one to House Speaker Steve Montenegro and one to Senate President Warren Petersen — urging them to ensure that SB1001's $1,000,000 appropriation for the Older Blind program is included in the final budget agreement.
>> 
>> This will take less than five minutes, and it matters enormously. 
>> 
>> Template emails and contact information are included below. As always, please add one or two personal sentences about why this issue matters to you or someone you know — those personal touches make a real difference.
>> 
>> PLEASE ATTACH THE FACT SHEET included with this email to both messages before sending. It provides legislators with key data and context that can make a powerful impression.
>> 
>> Please also CC me on all emails so I can track our campaign: jmoon at saavi.us <mailto:jmoon at saavi.us>
>>  
>> EMAIL #1 — HOUSE SPEAKER STEVE MONTENEGRO 
>> Email: SMontenegro at azleg.gov <mailto:SMontenegro at azleg.gov>
>> Subject: Please Include SB1001 in the Final Budget – $1M for the Older Blind Program
>> 
>> Dear Speaker Montenegro, 
>> 
>> I am writing to respectfully urge you to ensure that the $1,000,000 appropriation for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind (OIB) Program — as provided in SB1001 — is included in the final state budget agreement.
>> 
>> The National Federation of the Blind of Arizona has been advocating to secure this funding for four years. Last year, we came heartbreakingly close, only to have the appropriation pulled from the budget at the last minute.
>> 
>> This funding would restore resources to a program that has not received a meaningful funding increase in over fourteen years, despite Arizona's rapidly growing aging population. Approximately 72,000 Arizonans over the age of 65 are blind or have low vision, and that number is expected to double by 2030. Without timely access to independent living services, many blind seniors are forced to leave their homes prematurely, increasing reliance on far more costly state-funded alternatives such as assisted living and nursing home care.
>> 
>> [Add 1–2 sentences about why this matters to you personally.] 
>> 
>> I have attached a fact sheet with additional information about the OIB program and the impact of this investment. Investing $1,000,000 in the Older Blind program is smart, cost-effective, and the right thing to do for Arizona's seniors. I respectfully ask that you champion this funding as the budget is finalized.
>> 
>> Thank you for your service to Arizona. 
>> 
>> Sincerely, 
>> [Your Name] 
>> [Your City, Arizona] 
>> 
>>  
>> EMAIL #2 — SENATE PRESIDENT WARREN PETERSEN 
>> Email: WPetersen at azleg.gov <mailto:WPetersen at azleg.gov>
>> Subject: Please Include SB1001 in the Final Budget – $1M for the Older Blind Program
>> 
>> Dear Senate President Petersen, 
>> 
>> I am writing to thank you and your colleagues for your support of SB1001 as it passed the Senate, and to respectfully urge you to ensure that the $1,000,000 appropriation for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind (OIB) Program is preserved in the final budget agreement.
>> 
>> The National Federation of the Blind of Arizona has been advocating to secure this funding for four years. Last year, we came heartbreakingly close, only to have the appropriation pulled from the budget at the last minute. With your help, we are determined not to let that happen again.
>> 
>> This funding addresses a critical and longstanding gap in services for blind seniors across Arizona. The OIB program has not received a meaningful funding increase since a $500,000 cut in 2009, while Arizona's aging blind population has continued to grow significantly. Average waiting lists now exceed 200 blind seniors, with wait times often lasting a year or longer.
>> 
>> [Add 1–2 sentences about why this matters to you personally.] 
>> 
>> I have attached a fact sheet with additional information about the OIB program and the impact of this investment. With your leadership, we can ensure that this investment in Arizona's blind seniors finally crosses the finish line after four years of advocacy. I respectfully ask that you advocate for SB1001's inclusion in the final budget.
>> 
>> Thank you for your continued leadership and support. 
>> 
>> Sincerely, 
>> [Your Name] 
>> [Your City, Arizona] 
>> 
>>  
>> FACT SHEET — KEY TALKING POINTS FOR SB1001 
>> The attached fact sheet contains all of the key data points below and is ready to attach to your emails. Here is a quick summary of the most important facts:
>> 
>> • Approximately 178,000 blind and low vision individuals live in Arizona. More than 40% — approximately 72,000 people — are over the age of 65. This population is expected to double by 2030.
>> 
>> • The OIB program has not received a meaningful funding increase since a $500,000 budget cut in 2009 — more than fourteen years of flat funding despite significant population growth.
>> 
>> • Independent living services for blind individuals are not covered by health insurance and are not provided through the medical system. Without them, blind seniors have no alternative.
>> 
>> • Average waiting lists exceed 200 blind seniors, with wait times often lasting a year or longer. These delays force many seniors to leave their homes prematurely.
>> 
>> • With proper training and rehabilitation tools, blind seniors can remain safely in their homes, maintain independence, and avoid far more costly alternatives such as assisted living or nursing home care.
>> 
>> • This is a targeted, cost-effective investment that reduces long-term public expenditures and supports personal independence.
>> 
>>  
>> THANK YOU 
>> 
>> Four years of advocacy has brought us to this moment. You have already made a tremendous difference this session, and this final push is our opportunity to see it all the way through. Please send your emails this week with the fact sheet attached, and feel free to reach out if you need any help.
>> 
>> Sincerely, 
>> 
>> Jordan Moon 
>> 1st Vice-President/Legislative Director 
>> National Federation of the Blind of Arizona 
>> (951) 316-5363 | jmoon at saavi.us <mailto:jmoon at saavi.us>
>> "You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back." 
>> 
> <Increased State Funding for ILB Services Fact Sheet.docx>_______________________________________________
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