Alerts
Looking Forward to 2012
As the year draws to a close, we take time to reflect on the monumental actions and changes that took place in Wisconsin this year. Although state budgets always impact millions of lives, this year was very unique and the decisions made this spring generated an unprecedented response.
The work of the state legislature and our governmental agencies did not conclude with the passage of the budget. LOPPW has continued to monitor and speak out on major policy decisions and legislation impacting the lives of the poor and most vulnerable. Your voice remains critically important in determining the outcome of many issues currently being considered by the Legislature.
One such issue is the recent announcement by the Department of Justice that funding for the Sexual Assault Victim Services program will be cut this year by 42.5%. The program gives grants to non-profit organizations that provide services such as counseling, preventative education, and crisis hotlines for victims. Now is the time to contact your Senator and Representative to make your voice heard in opposing these proposed cuts.
At the same time, we are encouraged by the progress of two bills that provide protections for victims of domestic violence in Wisconsin. The Assembly has passed, and the Senate is in the process of adopting legislation allowing domestic violence victims living in Wisconsin to obtain restraining orders against their abusers who reside in another state. The current law is limited to victims and abusers who both reside in Wisconsin, and does not take into account our new age of cyber stalking and harassment. LOPPW testified in support of this legislation earlier this autumn.
Looking forward to the year ahead, LOPPW is featuring an advocacy calendar for Lent 2012. The calendar will be available on our website, through our email listserve, and in print by request. We encourage you to use this calendar to deepen your understanding of advocacy and live out your baptismal calling to work for justice and peace in all the earth.
On behalf of the LOPPW advocacy network, I sincerely thank you for your witness and commitment to speak out on behalf of all of God’s children. Keep all living with hunger, poverty and homelessness in your prayers this Christmas season.
Yours in Christ, Amy Johnson
