Please take a few minutes today, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, to contact Maryland legislators as they deliberate the DDA Budget.  Governor Wes Moore’s proposed reductions total $155.4 million in State General Funds and $310.8 million overall.

 

The Ask: Protect the people and providers who make community living possible! Oppose cuts to the DDA budget. If these budget proposals move forward without changes, people will be hurt and access to community supports will be at risk.

 

 

In your own words, please email and or call your legislators and describe how the proposed cuts would impact you, your loved ones, and your community provider. Urge your legislators to oppose these cuts to the DDA budget. 

 

Below is a sample email you may use at a template but we encourage you to share YOUR story of how these cuts will impact you, your loved one, or those you support in the community.  Make your message as personal as possible.   

 

Sample Message:

 

Dear _____________ (Name of Delegate or Senator):

I am emailing today to urge you to oppose cuts to the DDA budget. 

As a (parent/provider/community member/self-advocate), I am very concerned about proposed cuts to the DDA budget.

 

SHARE YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND/OR HOW THESE CUTS WILL IMPACT YOU, YOUR LOVED ONE, THOSE YOUR SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY.

 

These cuts come on the heels of significant budget cuts passed last year. Cuts will directly impact people with the most complex medical and behavioral needs. Without adequate funding, providers cannot safely sustain services.

 

Even if this level of support is not currently needed by someone using DDA supports, these cuts will limit the availability of these higher-level services if needed in the future 

 

Sincerely, 

(YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, EMAIL)

 

 

 

 

EMAIL ELECTED OFFICIALS:

 

Contact your elected officials in the Maryland General Assembly and urge them to protect the DDA budget. Share how these proposed cuts would impact you, your loved ones, your organization, and your community.

 

As you reach out, we encourage you to speak not only about the human impact, but also about the impact on the ability of community providers to continue to provide critically important services. Highlight how these proposals affect staffing stability, service quality, uncompensated care, and the long-term sustainability of Maryland’s community-based disability system. Please be sure to put your message in your own words and how it would affect you, your family member, or your community provider. 

 

If you are unsure who represents you, you can find your State Senator and Delegate here: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District

 

In addition to contacting your Senators and Delegates, please also email legislative leadership and budget chairs:

 

Senate President Bill Ferguson

bill.ferguson@senate.maryland.gov

 

House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk

joseline.pena.melnyk@house.maryland.gov

 

House Appropriations Committee Chair Delegate Ben Barnes

ben.barnes@house.maryland.gov

 

Senate Budget and Taxation Committee Chair Senator Guy Guzzone

guy.guzzone@senate.maryland.gov

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY!