ALL MEMBERS PLEASE SEE “PAYMENT OF DUES” ABOVE FOR INFORMATION FOR PAYMENT OF YOUR DUES. THANK YOU.

AAUW REQUESTS YOUR HELP IN FIGHTING AGAINST THE BIG, BAD BILL! PLEASE EMAIL YOUR SENATORS!

[DATE]

Dear Senators [NAMES],

On behalf of [description of the signers. It could be on behalf of American Association of University Women of [STATE] or on behalf of your constituents], we are writing to urge you to oppose the budget reconciliation bill. The bill proposes sweeping changes that would make higher education and economic prosperity dramatically less affordable and accessible.

 Weakening Public Schools: Students under-resourced, historically marginalized communities would be hardest hit if $5 billion is redirected annually to private charter and religious schools as part of a national voucher program. This diversion strips public schools of the resources they need to educate these students. Private charters and religious institutions aren’t bound by civil rights, accountability, or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) protections. As public schools lose funding, they become further under-resourced, further widening achievement gaps.

  Barriers to Women’s Higher Education: Women—especially student parents and families of color—would face steeper education costs, accruing interest while still enrolled and delaying degree completion. Eliminating subsidized loans forces interest to accumulate, and capping Parent PLUS while ending Grad PLUS limits critical funding. Tightening Pell eligibility further raises out-of-pocket costs, making college less affordable for those already balancing caregiving, work, and study.

  Erosion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC): Hardworking parents—many single heads of household—would lose critical support for childcare, rent, and basic living expenses. Even with the credit set at $2,500 per child, one in four eligible children wouldn’t receive full benefits because their families earn too little. By capping refundability and narrowing eligibility, the bill would erode a proven anti-poverty tool that improves children’s health, education, and long-term earning potential.

 Threat to Preventive Health Care Access: Over two million women—many low-income and rural—would lose affordable contraception, cancer screenings, and STI testing due to a Medicaid ban on providers offering abortion, effectively defunding Planned Parenthood. Banning gender-affirming care as an essential health benefit would also deny coverage to transgender adults under Medicaid and ACA Marketplace plans. Together, these measures would restrict access to vital services and undermine individuals’ ability to manage their own health.

  Harmful Medicaid Coverage Provisions and Funding Cuts: Enrollment hurdles, cost-sharing up to $35 per service, and work requirements may force many—particularly women and seniors—off Medicaid, disrupting preventive, prenatal, and long-term care. The bill also blocks the 2024 rule designed to simplify eligibility and enrollment, making it harder for children, seniors, and people with disabilities to gain and retain coverage. These combined barriers and cost burdens alone put essential health services at risk for our most vulnerable neighbors.

As a nation, we should be creating pathways to opportunity and prosperity, not barriers that exacerbate inequity. For these reasons, we urge you to reject the budget reconciliation bill.

Sincerely,

[NAMES]

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

CALLING ALL SUNBIRDS! (as opposed to snowbirds- GET IT?)
Judy Napier and Lydia Russo are busy thinking up some fun and interesting summer activities for us.
Here’s the list so far:

June 10 – Spanish Point 10 AM. Lunch at Evies after the tour.

July 9 – Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College located on TAMIAMI Trail – admission $20pp. The tour will take approximately 1 1/2 hours. Lunch afterward at the museum BISTRO. Contact Lydia Russo (lydia1944@gmail.com) if you want to go. Guests are invited. We can carpool.

August 12 – Wineglass Painting Class at 1150 Tarpon Center Dr
Community Room of the Towers
Cost is $35 includes 2 wine glasses, paints, materials and instructor
Time is 2 to 4 pm
If you are interested, please contact Judy 630-240-088 judenapier@yahoo.com for June or August activities or Contact Lydia 914-629-6094 lydia1944@gmail.com for the July activity. Carpools will be figured out closer to the event. Please let us know ASAP if you are interested. For the August event Judy needs to know about a month in advance because there is a 6 person minimum.

See you soon!!!

Education