The budget that passed last week includes several items that help kids and some that hurt.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to thank you for the items in the final state budget that help children. I also want to let you know of my disappointment about some other programs and initiatives that were cut.

On health insurance, thank you for eliminating: - the NJ FamilyCare co-payment for children in families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. - the proposal to stop enrolling parents with incomes between 150 percent and 200 percent of the federal poverty level. - the plan to charge co-payments of Medicaid recipients.

On early education, thank you for retaining the 52.3 million for the state's existing preschool programs and for cancelling proposed changes to eligibility standards for preschool wraparound program.

For family economic security, thank you for the $5 million appropriation for NJ SHARES for energy assistance.

But I am disappointed about funding cuts that will hurt children, including the:

- Elimination of the proposed $25 million for preschool expansion. - Twenty-five percent funding cut for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). - Twenty-eight percent funding cut to New Jersey After 3.

If additional money becomes available this budget year, please consider restoring these funds for our state's children.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 09, 2009