NDD Town HallSequestration Implementation

September 11, 2012Join the Conversation: #NDDUnited

NDD Town HallAdvocacy Strategy: Past, Present, Future

Join the Conversation: #NDDUnited

NDD Summit Organizing Framework• Budget Control Act defines us– We’re all in this together

• Ad hoc “network of networks” coordinating:– Education of policymakers and public about• NDD programs• Impact of cuts already sustained• Impact of sequester

– Advocacy for a balanced approach to deficit reduction that does not include further cuts to NDD programs

join the conversation: #NDDUnited

join the conversation: #NDDUnited

Why a Balanced Approach?

• Policymakers need – Direction (and cover) to do what they know they

need to do– Reminder that BCA was pre-Simpson-Bowles

• “Exempt me” strategy will fail– White House SAP– Counterproductive

• Those that can, should say more– Several groups requesting revenue increases

join the conversation: #NDDUnited

Advocacy To Date• Inside Beltway– Customizable NDD fact sheet– NDD Sign On Letter

• 3,000 national, state, local organizations– NDD Rally

• 350 participants; trend on Twitter– Media Visibility

• National: WashPo, HuffPo, PBS, NYTimes• Trade press: education, health, environment, etc.

• Outside Beltway– Grassroots Toolkit– Local editorials

join the conversation: #NDDUnited

Advocacy Next Steps• Inside Beltway– Statements on OMB report & Rep. West Bill– NDD Hill Event

• September 20 with Conference of Mayors– Media visibility– Meetings, meetings and more meetings!

• Outside Beltway– Don’t forget about the Toolkit!

• State/district visits• Campaign events• Site visits (with media)• Local editorials

join the conversation: #NDDUnited

Homework• September– Required reading

• Budget Control Act• Simpson-Bowles Recommendations

– Attend NDD Hill Event September 20• Prep grassroots for Call/Tweet Day!

– NDD Steering Committee will provide email alert, sample tweets, and talking points

– Prepare your own NDD letter• Examples specific to your priorities

– Educate grassroots/tops• Share “Deficit Reduction & You” video with grassroots/tops• Direct them to NDD United Hub

join the conversation: #NDDUnited

Homework

• October (pick at least one!)– Divide and conquer: lobbyist lobby day

• Cover more ground by rounding up your coalition partners for a day of Hill visits

– Work with grassroots/tops to place editorials• Target “defense” heavy districts/states

– Organize a Hill briefing or press event• Especially if you have new report on sequestration impact

– Make “balanced approach” priority for fly-in

join the conversation: #NDDUnited

Post-Election Long Game• Lame duck scenarios– Balanced approach • How balanced is “balanced?”

– Kick the can• How long?• What’s the offset, if any?

– “Carve-out” bills• Exempt defense• Exempt Medicare• Etc…

– Cancel altogether• How do we react…?

join the conversation: #NDDUnited

join the conversation: #NDDUnited

WWBD? Hold the Line!• NDD steering committee will evaluate, advise• Stay the course– Keep pushing for balanced approach that does not

include more NDD cuts• NDD already cut to levels recommended by Simpson-

Bowles via Budget Control Act caps• NDD now at levels not seen since President

Eisenhower held office• Eliminating all of NDD still won’t balance budget

• Silence is golden

join the conversation: #NDDUnited

www.publichealthfunding.orgClick “NDD United” for news, reports & resources

Join the Conversation: #NDDUnitedFollow me @healthfunding!