Oppose Senate Bill 441

Scheduled for a Vote on Tuesday morning, March 27th

These bills would cut – by 66% – a significant source of funding to existing programs that serve families and children impacted by a disability. It would not only hurt the Tennessee Disability Coalition, but also the 38 other disability organizations across the state who belong to the Coalition.

How Grave Is the Threat?

  • Long-standing cross-disability programs: There would be cuts to programs such as Family Voices, Project Brain, and the ADA Network which have helped thousands of people with disabilities across the state and had a great impact on many families.
  • Disability Policy: It would devastate efforts to advocate for programs and policies beneficial to people with disabilities such as the Autism Equity Act, the Family Support Program, Mental Health Equity, accessibility laws, and more.
  • Ripple Effect: Not only would these bills lead to cuts in funding to Coalition programs, but they would also reduce support for smaller disability nonprofits across the state who work with the Coalition. This includes groups who deal with autism, mental health issues, special education, physical impairments, the Special Olympics and more.

The Original Funding for Families and Children

The funding now at risk was originally intended to increase supports for families and children in distress. For this reason funding was set aside to build capacity among traditional charitable organizations and activities to lift up families and children. The Coalition, as the state’s leading cross-disability organization, was the natural choice to receive funding to assist families challenged by a disability.

Furthermore, funding was set aside to support other charitable activities that impact families such as the Tennessee Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, Tennessee Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), child abuse prevention programs, domestic violence services, and more. At this time, these programs will not be impacted by the cuts; however, this legislation opens a Pandora’s box that could lead to future cuts to these groups as well.

Please Call or E-mail Today!

This legislation is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee at 8:30am on Tuesday, March 27th. It is essential for constituents to call their legislators on this committee immediately. If you have friends, family or colleagues who would be willing to call, then please ask them to call as soon as possible if their Senator is on this Committee.

Senate Finance, Ways and Means

Senator Diane Black, (615) 741-1999 or 1-800-449-8366, ext. 11999 (Robertson, and part of Sumner Counties) sen.diane.black@legislature.state.tn.us

Senator Tim Burchett (bill sponsor), (615) 741-1766 or 1-800-449-8366, ext. 11766 (Parts of Knox County) sen.tim.burchett@legislature.state.tn.us

Senator Raymond Finney, (615) 741-2427 or 1-800-449-8366, ext. 12427 (Parts of Blount, Sevier Counties) sen.raymond.finney@legislature.state.tn.us

Senator Joe Haynes, (615) 741-6679 or 1-800-449-8366, ext. 16679  (Parts of Davidson County) sen.joe.haynes@legislature.state.tn.us

Senator Douglas Henry, (615) 741-3291 or 1-800-449-8366, ext. 13291 (Parts of Davidson County) sen.douglas.henry@legislature.state.tn.us

Senator Rosalind Kurita, (615) 741-2374 or 1-800-449-8366, ext. 12374 (Parts of Cheatham, Houston, and Montgomery) sen.rosalind.kurita@legislature.state.tn.us

Senator James Kyle, (615) 741-4167 or 1-800-449-8366, ext. 14167  (Parts of Shelby) sen.jim.kyle@legislature.state.tn.us

Senator Randy McNally, (615) 741-6806 or 1-800-449-8366, ext. 16806 (Anderson , Loudon, Monroe , and part of Knox) sen.randy.mcnally@legislature.state.tn.us

Senator Mark Norris, (615) 741-1967 or 1-800-449-8366, ext. 11967  (Dyer, Lauderdale, Tipton, and part of Shelby) sen.mark.norris@legislature.state.tn.us

Senator Bo Watson, (615) 741-3227 or 1-800-449-8366, ext. 13227 (Hamilton County) sen.bo.watson@legislature.state.tn.us

Senator John Wilder, (615) 741-2368 or 1-800-449-8366, ext. 12368 (Chester, Crockett, Fayette, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, McNairy, Wayne  Counties )   sen.john.wilder@legislature.state.tn.us

Things to Remember When Calling or Sending an E-mail

  • Be courteous
  • Let the legislator’s staff know you are a constituent
  • Ask for the legislation to be stopped
  • Express support for Coalition’s work
  • Thank them for their time

Making Contact: If you have questions please drop a line to courtney_j@tndisability.org or call the Coalition at 615-383-9442 and ask for Todd, Courtney, or Kenny.