---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Melanie Brunson <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [leadership] Fwd: Action Alert:  Accessible Voting about to be
     underfunded
Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2003 17:28:33 -0500
To: [log in to unmask]

Hello ACB Leaders,

I received this today and decided that since it explains the issue and action
needed pretty concisely, I would forward it as is.  It comes from the
Disability Vote Project of the American Association of People with
Disabilities.

Melanie Brunson



 >
 > Delivered-To: [log in to unmask]
 > From: "'Jim Dickson'"
 > Sender: "AAPD Vote"
 > To:
 > Subject: Action Alert: Accessible Voting about to be underfunded
 > Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2003 15:46:56 -0500
 > X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook, Build 10.0.2627
 > Importance: Normal
 >
 > The Disability Vote Project needs your support and assistance with the
 > following time sensitive action items:
 >
 >
 >
 > Issues at hand:
 >
 > 1.       Add $1 Billion to HAVA (Help America Vote Act) funding.
 >
 > 2.       Fund HAVA disability access at the same rate as other parts of HAVA
 > are being funded.
 >
 >
 >
 > Background:
 >
 > As of today, Congress is going to appropriate only $500 Million to fund HAVA
 > in Fiscal Year 2004.  If Congress were to keep its promise and fully fund
 > HAVA, the appropriation would be 3 times greater.  The US Senate is on
record
 > wanting to add $1 Billion to the HAVA appropriations.  Senators Stevens,
Dodd
 > and McConnell, are working to add $1 Billion to the Omnibus Appropriation,
 > which is scheduled to pass by November 21, 2003.
 >
 >
 >
 > As a second and important point, the HAVA disability access funds are slated
 > to be funded at a rate considerably below funding in the other parts of
 > HAVA.  To fund accessible voting at the same rate as the rest of the
election
 > reform funding, the Omnibus Appropriation Bill needs an additional $48
 > Million added to the Health and Human Services HAVA disability access
 > allocation.
 >
 >
 >
 > Action Items:
 >
 >
 >
 > 1.         Thank Senator Stevens and Congressman Bill Young for supporting
 > increased funding for HAVA.
 >
 >
 >
 > 2.         Ask them to increase the funding level by $1Billion, making the
 > Fiscal Year 2004 appropriation $1.5 Billion.
 >
 >
 >
 > 3.         Also ask that they fund disability access at the same rate as
they
 > fund other parts of HAVA.
 >
 >
 >
 >             Contact Info:      Senator Stevens                        (202)
 > 224-3004   Fax:(202) 224-2354
 >
 >                                     Congressman Bill Young            (202)
 > 225-5961  Fax: (202) 225-9764
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >
 > Jim Dickson
 >
 > Vice President of Governmental Affairs
 >
 > AAPD (American Association of
 >
 >      People with Disabilities)
 >
 > 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 503
 >
 > Washington, DC  20006
 >
 > 1-800-840-8844 (V/TTY)
 >
 > VOTE AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT, BECAUSE IT DOES.
 >
 >


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