[NFBAZ-EastValleyChapter] legislative alert, sb1001 final push

[mark feliz]

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 THIS WEEK*

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



*EMAIL #1 — HOUSE SPEAKER STEVE MONTENEGRO*

Email: 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

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



-- 
Mark Feliz
NFBA. East Valley Chapter member
Cell: 480-560-0641
LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT
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