1. United Way Public Policy
Advocate United Workshop
July 18, 2019

2. 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

3. 2019 Legislative Priorities
Build strong communities through Housing
Make Education Work for All
Finding Justice in Justice Reform
July 18, 2019

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. United Way Advocacy
July 18, 2019

8. Why Advocacy?
July 18, 2019

9. Who represents you?
July 18, 2019

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

11. 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

12. Contacting your representative
July 18, 2019

13. Making the pitch
July 18, 2019

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

15. Thank you
Advocate United
July 18, 2019