Advocacy
Centering Advocacy This Spring In January, a new presidential administration and new Congress were sworn in at the federal level and a new Legislature was sworn in at the Arizona State Capitol. These changes have brought together a rush of new government activity that has consequential effects on the nonprofit sector, including Area Agencies on Aging. In January, the President’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a memorandum ordering a freeze to all federal funding until the Administration has an opportunity to ensure that this funding aligns with new priorities set through Executive Orders. To be clear, it is not abnormal for an incoming administration to reverse many of the Executive policies made by the previous administration. What is unprecedented is halting payments to critical funding programming in order to align those policies. Though the order was
stopped in the courts, the Administration has threatened to effectively freeze funding to various programs, including the critical programs providing services to older adults. Congress has the authority to put in guard rails to protect funding for important programs and services, like those we offer here at PCOA. Your voice is now more important than ever. Visit advocate.pcoa.org to share your thoughts on these crucial programs with your Members of Congress. Your Voice Matters! With the new legislature in session, we are working diligently to secure funding for the Area Agencies on Aging to ensure that there are no cuts to critical programs and services like home-delivered meals (Pima Meals on Wheels), congregate community lunch programs, in-home care like bathing and dressing assistance, assistance with light housekeeping and so much more to keep older adults in their own homes and communities as they age.
We are excited to support HB 2379, a bill that would appropriate $5 million to Area Agencies on Aging for general services and $5 million to Area Agencies on Aging for a continuation of our pilot housing assistance program. This $10 million investment from the State of Arizona would ensure that PCOA has the funding we need to continue services in our community that help both older adults and those who care for them. We are grateful to Representatives A. Hernandez, Gress, C. Hernandez, L. Hernandez, Martinez, Peña, Tsosie, and Wilmeth for sponsoring this piece of legislation. We need your help to get these over the finish line! Visit advocate.pcoa.org to tell your legislators the importance of these services, and how the services have impacted you in the community! Your voice matters, and when you speak, we know that legislators listen. Visit advocate.pcoa.org today!
March & April 2025, Never Too Late | Page 27
Pima Council on Aging
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