Making New Champions

Dear Hecate

I run a legal services program that tries to help very poor people who are getting ripped off by their landlords who threaten them with eviction if they complain about the lack of heat, by their employers who threaten them with termination if they complain about not getting overtime pay, and by hostile state welfare workers who threaten to take away their cash assistance, food stamps or subsidized housing vouchers if they forget to resubmit their 6 page application.

While our legal services programs get some funds from our state government every year, it's not nearly enough to address our long waiting lists, and begin to pay our lawyers and para- legals a fair wage. We do have a couple of supporters in the state legislature who try hard to get us the 25% or 40% increase we need, but all we ever get is a 10% increase year after year. And while the state revenues are increasing they always spend it on some other "emergency" like health care reform or public education reform. What do we have to do to get some attention around here?


Hecate says

Congratulations for getting 10% increases year after year for a program that defends politically powerless poor people against powerful greedy landlords, heartless employers and mean state employees who problably complain to their state legislators about uppity lawyers getting state money to harass them.

One way to create an emergency would be if one of the characters mentioned above was able to convince a powerful politican to zero you out entirely!! Then you could rally the troops, get your budget restored, -- and start all over again getting regular 10% increases.

Another way is to find a compelling way way to tell each legislator the stories of the folks you have helped in their district. You'd be surprised to find out what they don't know about the good things you do, and you'll find new champions. Maybe even the ver legislators who are the champions of better health care and education for your clients!!