Seven Things You Can Do to Restore Tax Rebates for Low Income Senior and Disabled Renters
Governor Schwarzenegger has used his line-item veto power to eliminate
$150 million in tax rebates for low-income elderly and disabled renters.
This was the governor's single biggest line-item veto in the budget,
eliminating all funding for the Senior Citizens Renters Tax Assistance
program. The program, in effect for decades, provides up to $347.50
to senior and disabled renters who earn less than $44,096. Last
year, 467,000 renter households received payments. This year, none
will … unless we take action.
We will not stand for the elimination
of funds from those who need them the most. Tenants in Los
Angeles and San
Francisco have already held rallies condemning the governor's veto and
vowing to fight to make sure these funds are restored. On November
19, there will be a statewide day of rallies demanding restoration of
these funds. In the meantime, there's lots you can do.
Below is a list of actions you can take to help get the word out
and to pressure our elected officials in Sacramento to restore the funding
for the Renters Tax Assistance Program.
1. Call the
Governor
Call Governor Schwarzenegger today at 916-445-2841 and
tell him to restore full funding to the Renters Tax Assistance
Program.
2. Call Your Legislators
Call your
legislators today and tell them to support legislation to override the
Governor's veto and restore full funding to the Renters Tax Assistance
Program. Click here
to find your legislators.
3. Send Letters to the
Editor
Getting letters printed in you local newspapers is a great
way to make your voice heard and to spread awareness of this issue.
We've set up a very handy online letter-to-the-editor tool that will help
you write your letter and send it directly to your local
publications. Click here
to send a letter. It only takes a minute.
4.
Download and Distribute Flier
We've created a flyer that you can
download and hand out to organizations and individuals in your area. Print
it out, make copies, and distribute widely! If you can distribute an
especially large number of flyers, let us know. Click here
for the flier.
5. Share Your Story
If you have been
affected by the Governor's cut to this program, we want to hear how not
receiving these funds will affect you. Your story will be a powerful
tool as we demonstrate the real life consequences of the Governor's
elimination of funding for this program. Click here
to tell your story.
6. Become a Tenants Together
Volunteer
We need your help to get the word out. Can you
volunteer some of your time to work on this issue? If so, please
give us a call at 415.495.8100 today to find out what you can
do.
7. Participate in the Statewide Day of
Action
We're working with allies to organize rallies across the
state on November 19, 2008. Mark your calendar and be sure to save the
date. If you want to help organize a rally in your community,
contact Tenants Together today!
Thanks for taking action today. Be sure to check out our
website
to stay current on this issue. And please forward this message to at
least 10 people.
Tenants Together
Phone 415.495.8100 Fax
415.495.8105 Mail 995 Market Street, Suite 1202 San Francisco, CA
94103