The budget process is at a critical point. The House Ways and Means committee has released its proposed budget for FY11, cutting funding for DCR and state parks more than the governor's budget (about 8% to DCR, on top of the 23% cut last year). The House is in the process of adding amendments to the House budget, and soon the Senate Ways and Means Committee will release their budget.
Resources on the DCR Budget Cuts
- Fact Sheet on the proposed DCR budget cuts
- Guide to FY11 Budget Processes.
- Look up your state senator and representative and find their contact information
- Sample letter to your Senator
Here's what you can do to increase support for DCR parks in Boston:
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Contact your state senator to let him or her know what kind of funding you would like to see for the DCR and parks and to say how the parks and cuts affect you.
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Contact your state representative, asking him or her to support specific budget amendments.
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The Environmental League of Massachusetts offers a sample letter in support of amendments that directly affect the environmental budget, including one to raise funding for state and urban parks by $5.39 million. Please follow this link: http://www.environmentalleague.org/upload/docs/houseamendments.pdf
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