"Day of Prayer in Action" Includes Meetings with More than 20 State Reps and Senators
Wednesday, May 02, 2007Clergy and lay leaders of We Believe Ohio will put their prayers into action at the Statehouse tomorrow, the National Day of Prayer, to call for passage of a moral budget. Meetings are scheduled with 22 State Representatives and Senators -- including 8 Democrats and 14 Republicans, most in positions of leadership -- as well as Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher and Governor Ted Strickland’s office.
Because the state budget reveals of the values and priorities of Ohio, clergy and lay leaders from across the state, including a bus load from Cleveland, will gather in Columbus to fulfill their duty, right and responsibility as people of faith to advocate for a budget that is just and compassionate. Specifically, We Believe Ohio will ask legislators to: • Resolve long-term funding inequalities in public education by maintaining the Governor’s proposal to increase the foundation amount (basic aid) by 3% per year, to increase poverty-based assistance by 22% over the biennium, and to target parity aid to 60% of the districts most in need, as well as the House-passed budget’s increases in funding for early childhood education -- because every child in the state of Ohio is entitled to have the opportunity to receive a quality education. • Lift the cap on the Housing Trust Fund -- because We Believe Ohio acknowledges God’s call that we care for the poor, the wayfarer and the stranger. • Raise parents' eligibility for Medicaid to 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, allow uninsured children in families with incomes over 300% of the poverty level to buy into Medicaid/SCHIP on a sliding fee scale, and allow children aging out of the foster care system to keep Medicaid coverage until age 21 -- because our Creator desires health and wholeness for all people and quality healthcare is a God-given and constitutional right. Statewide clergy leaders of We Believe Ohio are available for comment. Please contact Katie Barge at kbarge@faithinpubliclife.org or 202-481-8147 to arrange interviews. WHAT: “Day of Prayer in Action” WHO: More than 75 clergy and lay leaders of We Believe Ohio. WHEN: The National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 3, 2007
10:30 AM: Prayer and Preparation, including expert briefings and lobby training (First Congregational Church, 444 E Broad Street in downtown Columbus)
12:30 PM: March to the Statehouse
1:00 PM—3:00 PM: Meetings with State Representatives and Senators inside the Statehouse
WHERE: First Congregational Church and the Statehouse www.webelieveohio.org
We are called as people of faith and loyal Americans to be united in dialogue and action to say: YES to justice for all; NO to prosperity for only a few; YES to diverse religious expression; NO to self-righteous certainty; YES to the common good; NO to discrimination against any of God’s people; YES to the voice of religious traditions informing public policy; NO to crossing the lines that separate the institutions of Religion and Government. PRESS RELEASE – WE BELIEVE OHIO FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Katie Barge (202) 243-8289; ### |
