It is often said that a budget is a statement of priorities. It shows what matters to people.
- Women and families should matter.
- Advancing health equity should matter.
- Access to quality medical care should matter – and that includes abortion!
Many people in our communities are struggling. Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, low-income families, and people with disabilities in our state have been especially hard hit by the pandemic. It is more important than ever that we do all we can to ensure each of us makes a living wage, has a safe place to live and that everyone has access to the full spectrum of health care they need.
The governor is in the process of finalizing the budget for 2023.
We have a chance to make sure that it reflects our values!
1) Call Governor McKee. (401-222-2080) – Likely you will just be asked to leave a message, so it is really simple, but calls make a BIG impact!
Sample Message:
My name is ___. I am a Rhode Island voter. Governor McKee has a chance to show bold leadership by taking bans on health coverage for abortion for state employees and the Medicaid program out of the 2023 budget. Rhode Island voters made it very clear that we support the right to abortion, but these harmful policies take that right away from too many people. Please, take a stand and get these bans out of our state budget.
2) E-mail Governor McKee. ([email protected]) – A simple copy and paste and you can speak out.
Subject: FY 23 Budget Should NOT include Abortion Bans
My name is ___. I am a Rhode Island voter. I am writing to urge you to submit a 2023 budget that does not include racist and harmful bans on health coverage for abortion for state employees and the Medicaid program. You have a chance to show bold leadership. Rhode Island voters have made it very clear that we support the right to abortion, but these policies take that right away from too many people. I am urging you to take a stand and get these bans out of our state budget.
Sincerely,
Name, Address, Phone
Our leaders have an opportunity to create a budget that reflects our values and truly meets the needs of women and families, people of color, and low-income Rhode Islanders.
Join Emma, TWP’s volunteer lobbyist, today (and every) Wednesday!
4pm | FB Live
(no FB account necessary to watch!)
These virtual meet-ups will be an opportunity to learn what is happening with explanations with additional subject matter experts.