Moral Budget Thursdays

<h1>The DC budget should make sure the needs of ALL residents are met.</h1>

<P><B>Today is our LAST Moral Budget Thursday call before the budget vote next Tuesday, May 30!</B></P>
<p>That means today's call-in day one of our last opportunities to connect with our councilmembers about what our budget priorities are. THIS CALL IS SUPER IMPORTANT!</p>

<p>Our final final call of the season: Every single budget season, something important gets excluded from the budget (which is released the night before the vote). In anticipation of this inevitability, <a href="http://www.slottr.com/sheets/6634736/">sign up to make a "Hail Mary" call</a> on the morning of the budget vote.</p>

<p><b>We do not want the District to give money away through the business income and estate tax cuts.</b> The Council should prioritize the needs of residents - for example, affordable housing and education. Those are FAR more important than business income and estate tax cuts, which - if implemented - are about $40 million of District revenue that will go back to extremely wealthy DC residents in 2018. That is, unless we convince the Council to reconsider and use that money to make sure ALL residents in the District have what they need.</b></p>

<p><CENTER><b>On Thursday, May 25 we are calling Councilmember Robert White.</b></p>
<p>As a progressive, Councilmember White <i>should be on our side</i> but he hasn't taken a stance yet. We are calling him to demand that he choose lifesaving services and programs over very wealthy estates.<p>

<p><b>Phone number: (202) 724-8174</b></CENTER></p>

<p>Here's a sample script for when you make your call. If nobody picks up, leave a message.</p>
<p>"Hi, my name is [name] and I’m a voter and resident of [DC neighborhood]. I'm calling to urge Councilmember White to stop the estate and business tax cuts, and prioritize the needs of DC residents. The proposed budget underfunds crucial services for DC residents, and the $40 million we stand to lose from these tax cuts could be used to invest in our community by providing more resources for students and making a dent in our affordable housing crisis. Our city can only thrive when we meet the needs of our children, families, and neighbors. He has a choice, and I hope he will choose to put the needs of DC residents above tax cuts for a wealthy few.</p>

<p>Thank you for taking my call today!"</p>

<p><B><CENTER>THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION!</CENTER></B></p>
<p><CENTER><I>Email sarah@jufj.org if you have any questions.</I></CENTER></p>