Information from the LDBPI

The Peace Institute needs your support to fully restore the line item for survivors of homicide victims (4513-1098) in the state budget after Governor Baker made significant cuts. This funding from the state budget includes money we need for staff salaries so we can continue to be there for families when they need us most.

On November 21, Governor Baker issued a proclamation in honor of Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month. The proclamation read: “Surviving family members need coordinated, compassionate, and consistent support and services in the immediate aftermath of a murder and ongoing opportunities for healing in the months and years afterward.”

Just a few weeks later, the Governor made these devastating cuts.

Now we need your support. Will you call and email your legislators and ask them to fully restore line item 4513-1098 so we can continue to provide these needed services and support? All families of murder victims deserve to be treated with dignity and compassion, even in difficult financial times.

Please take action today! Thank you so much for your support.

Find your legislators here:
https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Sample call script:
Hello, my name is ____________ and I am a constituent.
I’m calling today to ask for the full restoration of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s state line item appropriation of $200,000. Governor Baker made cuts to funding for families of homicide victims, in line item 4513-1098.

It’s confusing to us that Governor Baker issued a proclamation in honor of the 16th Annual Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month on November 21st declaring the need for support and services, and then he made these devastating cuts a few weeks later.

Please work with leadership and your colleagues to fully restore this critical funding to the Peace Institute.

Sample email script:
Dear _______________:

I write today in response to Governor Baker’s decision to implement 9C cuts that include reducing by half services to families of homicide victims in Massachusetts.

Specifically, line item 4513-1098 has been reduced. I would ask for the full restoration of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s state line item appropriation of $200,000.

Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Rosenberg have expressed their concern for protecting the most vulnerable families in our communities, especially in challenging fiscal times. As elected leaders who have demonstrated your shared commitment to those values, we respectfully ask that you work with your colleagues and legislative leadership to restore the Peace Institute’s funding to protect essential services for families impacted by murder in the Commonwealth.

Thank you for your work on behalf of all of your constituents.

Sincerely,
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