United Way Public Policy Advocate United Workshop July 18, 2019

Agenda Meeting Goal: Gain introductory advocacy skills to use for state legislation and become familiar with UWRI’s work in public policy. Review of UWRI’s 2019 Legislative Agenda Advocacy 101 (State Legislation) “Lobby Your Rep” breakout session Group Discussion Take Action! July 18, 2019

2019 Legislative Priorities Build strong communities through Housing Make Education Work for All Finding Justice in Justice Reform July 18, 2019

Building strong communities through Housing In the 2019 session of the Rhode Island General Assembly, we seek increased state funding for: Construction and preservation of affordable housing Rental subsidies for low-income families and individuals Supportive services for people placed in permanent housing We also support: Removal of legal, administrative, regulatory, and economic barriers to quality housing July 18, 2019

Making Education Work For All In the 2019 session of the Rhode Island General Assembly, we support: A state-dedicated funding stream to help children and youth access quality afterschool and summer learning programs Universal Pre-Kindergarten Expansion of RI Promise for working-age adults Expansion of the Real Jobs program, including increased funding to reduce the learning opportunity waiting list July 18, 2019

Finding Justice in Justice reform We support: Eliminating the residual impact of incarceration by investing in targeted programming that supports affected individuals and their families Enhancing policies that foster an individual’s return to the community after completing their sentence and help them continue their pursuit of equality and opportunity July 18, 2019

United Way Advocacy July 18, 2019

Why Advocacy? July 18, 2019

Who represents you? July 18, 2019

The Advocacy Continuum Public Awareness and Education Grassroots Advocacy and organizing Lobbying July 18, 2019

2019 Rhode Island General Assembly Calendar January 1: Legislative session begins January 17: Governor releases budget February 14: Deadline to submit legislation for consideration February-June: Hearings related to the proposed budget/legislation June-July: House/ Senate approve budget for Governor approval. Majority of high profile legislation is passed toward the end of session. *If a budget is not approved before the start of the new fiscal year, RI works off of the previous years’ budget July 18, 2019

Contacting your representative July 18, 2019

Making the pitch July 18, 2019

Come advocate united! (Lobby Days) Tuesday, February 13 Tuesday, February 26 Wednesday, February 27 Thursday, March 5 July 18, 2019

Thank you Advocate United July 18, 2019