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Take Action on the Federal Budget!

Take action by   Friday, March 18, 2005

Letters to the Editor Packet—Federal Budget

General Tips

• Be Clear and Concise: Keep your letters brief, concise, and to the point. Check the letter guidelines in your local paper—most newspapers will not run letters that are longer than 200 – 250 words.

• Get Local: Any local connection will increase the impact of your letter and increase its chances for publication.

• Include your Contact Information: Most newspapers will only print a letter to the editor after calling the author to verify his or her identity and address.

• The Best Letter is the one YOU write: Use talking points and sample letters as a starting point for facts and information, but a letter that you write yourself has a much better chance for publication.

Suggested Points to Make in your Letter to the Editor

• The Bush Budget is out-of-step with the priorities and values of Iowans.

• Iowans value security, opportunity, and responsibility. The Bush budget does not.

• The Bush budget is fiscally reckless. Iowans are not.

• Ordinary Iowans are facing severe cuts if the Bush budget becomes law. The budget includes devastating cuts to our priorities, yet it’s still a fiscal disaster.

• The Bush Budget will push America deeper into the red with another record deficit.

Iowa’s share of budget cuts includes:

• Homeland Security: $14.3 million that will take police and firefighters off our streets.

• $386 million from Medicaid in Iowa, and the rural health care programs Health Care: Bush touted during his campaign.

• Education: Further under-funds No Child Left Behind by $69.3 million, leaving behind 14,290 Iowa schoolchildren. Under-funds Pell Grants by $75.9 million, effecting 58,868 Iowa students.

• $9.2 million from Iowa job training programs

• Doubling the prescription drug co-pay for veterans.

• $4.3 million from the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program

Please also take a moment to let Members of Congress know how you feel about the budget as well.

Sen. Chuck Grassley

Des Moines: 515-284-4890 Davenport: 563-322-4331 Cedar Rapids: 319-363-6832 Sioux City: 712-2331860 Council Bluffs: 712-322-7103 Waterloo: 319-232-6657

Cong. Jim Nussle Manchester: 563-927-5141 Dubuque: 563-557-7740 Waterloo: 319-235-1109 Davenport: 563-326-1841

Cong. Jim Leach Cedar Rapids: 319-363-4473 Iowa City: 319-351-0789 Burlington: 319-754-1106 Ottumwa: 641-684-4024

Cong. Tom Latham Ames: 515-232-2885 Ft. Dodge: 515-573-2738 Clear Lake: 641-357-5225

Cong. Steve King Storm Lake: 712-732-4197 Sioux City: 712-224-4692 Council Bluffs:: 712-325-1404