March __, 2008

Dear Legislator:

Please Help End The Line!

I am writing to you today to respectfully request your support for increased funding for assisting individuals with developmental disabilities. Currently there are 15,648 Floridians with developmental disabilities languishing as they wait to receive adult training, employment and residential services, with 2,554 of them having to already wait more than five years.

During his State of the State Address, Governor Charlie Crist urged you to protect those with disabilities, stating, “we need to sustain our commitment to those who rely on us most.” With more than $100 million in gaming revenues expected in the state treasury annually, committing funding for community services will sustain those who rely on us most.

Using gaming revenues to serve individuals with developmental disabilities who are on the waitlist for community services is a win-win situation for the Florida taxpayer and those with a disability. These funds can be more than doubled when they are used as match for Federal funds. Therefore, I urge you to follow Governor Crist’s advice and help those who need you most.

For more information about this situation, please visit www.endtheline.org.

Please help improve this situation and support additional appropriations for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Respectfully,

Your Name