The Michigan Nonprofit Association sent information that provides direction on how concerned individuals and organizations can take action regarding Michigan's impending budget cuts:
Subject: Act Now to Preserve the Quality of Life in Michigan
The Legislature and the Governor are facing nearly a $1 billion shortfall in revenue for this current fiscal year. The Governor is expected to present her Executive Order to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on Thursday and decisions regarding the future quality of life in the state are expected
soon. Considering recent cuts to revenue sharing, education, the arts and more the anticipated spending cuts will have a drastic impact on the quality of life for Michigan families, nonprofits and businesses. Act now to voice your support against signficant cuts to state services and programs, and encourage policymakers to support revenue options to address the fiscal crisis.
You can take action on this alert either via email (please see directions below) or via the web at:
http://givevoice.org/campaign/qualitylife/i77ue82hj7txje
Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.
http://givevoice.org/campaign/qualitylife/forward/i77ue82hj7txje
We encourage you to take action by December 19, 2003
Preserve the Quality of Life in Michigan
INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA THE WEB:
If you have access to a web browser, you can take action on this
alert by going to the following URL:
http://givevoice.org/campaign/qualitylife/i77ue82hj7txje
INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA EMAIL:
Just choose the "reply to sender" option on your email program.
Your letter will be addressed and sent to:
Governor Jennifer Granholm (if you live in MI)
Your Representative (if you live in MI)
Your State Senator (if you live in MI)
----THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT IN YOUR NAME----
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
On behalf of "name of organization", I urge you to consider
revenue options to address the current $920 million shortfall
in the state budget.
Due to the condition of the economy, the state has decreased
some services and programs over the past few years.
Specifically, in the past three years there have been
significant accumulated cuts in revenue sharing, support for
higher education, the arts, support for the needy and more. The
cuts are significant because these investments of the state into
our economy improve the quality of life here in Michigan and
create the type of place where families, nonprofits and
businesses need to grow. However, the degree of the cuts is now
negatively impacting the quality of life for all Michigan
residents. Those now feeling the impact of the cuts are the
municipalities capacity to provide emergency services, the
ability of middle-class families to afford child-care and
college, the quality of K-12 education in rural and urban areas,
and much more.
"insert information about how those you serve/resources you
protected are impacted"
Although we understand that the state is facing a choice between
revenue options and decreased spending, and we understand that
some spending cuts might be necessary, "insert name of
organization" feels that the quality of life that is appropriate
to promote the vibrancy of Michigan families, businesses and
nonprofits requires the state to choose revenue options over
significant budget cuts. The following are revenue possibilities
to consider:
*Pausing the next drop in the income tax rate. The average
family saves only about $50 per year as a result of this tax
cut. However, pausing the drop in the income tax rate would save
the state $118 million.
*Passing legislation that would allow the state to continue to
collect estate tax despite the phase out currently in process
for the federal estate tax. It is estimated that only 1,300 of
the very wealthy will benefit from the elimination of the tax,
while the state would save $565 million between 2003 and 2007.
Also, based on 2001 charitable bequest data, a repeal of the
federal estate tax would translate to a loss of $325 million
per year to charities across the state.
*Modernizing the state sales tax structure to reflect changes in
technology and the change from a manufacturing to a service
economy.
*Adjusting the state alcohol taxes for inflation. The tax on
beer was last adjusted in 1966 and wine tax was last adjusted in
1981.
The Michigan nonprofit community has a long tradition of being a
partner with government and business to provide critical
services and programs to Michigan families, however, as the
economy worsens nonprofits are being asked to serve more with
less. Considering recent drops in individual giving;
volunteering; foundation, government and corporate support, the
organizations in this state that educate our youth, provide for
clean water and safe streets, as well as those that provide
health care, housing and food for those in need are facing
budget crunches of their own which are limiting their abilities
to serve Michigan residents.
Thank you for taking the time to review this request. If you
have any questions, please feel free to contact me at "insert
phone number".
----END OF LETTER TO BE SENT----
Sincerely,
Donna Merignac
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If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for
Michigan Nonprofit Association - Advocacy Action Network at:
http://givevoice.org/mna/join.html?r=1dzWwfs1BaSiE
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If you would like to unsubscribe from Michigan Nonprofit
Association - Advocacy Action Network, you can respond to this
email with "REMOVE" as the subject, or you can visit your
subscription management page at:
http://givevoice.org/mna/smp.tcl?nkey=i77ue82hj7txje
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