proposed TOTAL budget cuts for domestic violence in Maine

Well, we have had a bad month. Gov. Baldacci's change package re: balancing the Maine State budget included TOTAL state funding cuts for domestic violence...resulting in over 1 million dollars lost. The Next Step stands to lose over $200,000, which is over a third of our total yearly budget. This, even on its own, means office closures, lay-offs, and curtailment of survices. This state cut, if combined with federal threats to VAWA, VOCA, and other major funds for female crime victims, could be fatal to The Next Step.

Information about the public hearings for this change package will follow. If you are a Mainer, please understand that this is not rhetoric. Free services for victims of domestic violence in Maine are at serious risk. Please contact your state representatives immediately. http://www.maine.gov/ has a search base through which you can access information about your rep.s.

Please don't let this happen to Maine!