[vendtalk] FW: ALERT: PROTECT RANDOLPH SHEPPARD SET ASIDE FUNDS

[Kevan Worley]

As you know, National Association of Blind Merchants and the National
Federation of the Blind are significant supporters and partners in the work
of the Blind Entrepreneurial Alliance. We work with Catriona MacDonald of
Linchpin Strategies. Here is an update from Catriona. I hope each and every
one of us will call our Senators immediately. We must be part of the
solution.

 

  _____  

From: Catriona Macdonald [mailto:Cmacdonald at linchpinstrategies.com] 
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 9:55 AM
To: Terry Smith
Cc: mbrunson at acb.org; Allen Tharp; Eugene Breaud; 'John Jones';
rkvend at aol.com; AB Swanson; Don Hudson; Robert Humphreys; Charles Glazer;
Donald Johnson; 'Ernie Sledge'; Michael Lee; Joe Blackstone; Allen Harris;
kevanworley at blindmerchants.org; Shelly Martin; Harry Eberle; Jody Shaw;
Robert Ott; Ron Oxley; vdesantis at dhs.state.nj.us; Jim Ed Rice; 'Bill
Spencer'; 'Roland Marshall'; 'Harvey Johnson'; Skipp Styron; Virgil; kim m
venable; Patrick Cannon; Sue Luzenski; Nick Gacos; J McCarthy; John Pare,
Jr.; Anna DeSantis; Mark Harris; cantuserv at sbcglogal.net; fredric schroeder;
Mike Barclay; Peter Nolan; Arch Kielly; Dennis Donnelly;
Allen.Harris at dwx.com
Subject: ALERT: PROTECT RANDOLPH SHEPPARD SET ASIDE FUNDS

 

Dear BEA Members:

 

PLEASE READ AND FORWARD TO ALL RANDOLPH SHEPPARD VENDORS

 

It is becoming apparent that, in many places, budget deficits are causing
states to turn to Randolph Sheppard set-aside funds to make ends meet.  The
only visible potential source of relief for this is the $500 million
provided in the House and Senate economic recovery legislation for VR.  Half
of this money would become available to VR agencies essentially immediately,
and would not require a state match.

 

It was reported in Washington today that phone calls to Congressional
offices are coming in at 100-1 AGAINST the domestic social funding provided
in the current draft of the Senate economic recovery legislation. Anyone who
cares about protecting RS set-aside funds should call their Congressional
offices in support of the VR resources.  Moderate Republican Senators and
conservative Democratic Senators are currently negotiating for potentially
large cuts in the proposed social funds.   DECISIONS WILL BE MADE THIS WEEK.

You can call the Capitol Hill Operator and ask to be connected to your
Senator's or Representative's office if you know their names.
US Senate Operator:  202-224-3121
US House Operator: 202-225-3121

If you can't get through to the Operator because the lines are busy, you can
look up direct phone numbers for the Washington DC or local offices at the
following websites:
www.Senate.gov <http://www.Senate.gov/> 
www.House.gov <http://www.House.gov/> 
If you don't know who your Representative is, the House.gov website will let
you enter your zip code and tell you who your Representative is.

Please call the offices - Senate offices are especially crucial right now,
this week - and leave the following message with the receptionist who answer
the phone:
- your name
- the town where you live
- "I am calling to urge my (Senator/Representative) to vote yes on an
economic recovery package that includes at least $500 million for vocational
rehabilitation state grants."

 

 

 

 

Catriona Macdonald

President

Linchpin Strategies, LLC

 

700 12th St. NW, Suite 700

Washington, DC 20005

866-443-0998 MAIN

202-345-3334 MOBILE

202-478-2086 FAX

CMacdonald at LinchpinStrategies.com