As you may know, the Pennsylvania state budget is under severe strain. Both the Governor's budget proposal and the Senate Budget bill would slash funds from many state programs, including the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority (BFTDA - through which Ben Franklin is funded). The Governor's proposal calls for a reduction of the BFTDA budget from $50.7 million to $40 million, while the Senate budget calls for a reduction down to $20 million. Such a reduction would be a blow to Pennsylvania's entrepreneurs and technology businesses at a time when Ben Franklin's resources are needed most to counter the recessionary influences and consequences.
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How Can I Help?
We urge you to contact your PA legislative representatives to ask them to communicate with their caucus leadership the importance of maintaining the current level of funding to BFTP.
STEP 1: IDENTIFY YOUR LEGISLATOR(S) AND CONTACT EMAIL(S)
- Go to http://www.legis.state.pa.us
- Enter your zip code in the upper right hand corner
- Click on each legislator, copy email address (when provided, as not all do), paste into your email program (repeat depending on # of legislators in your zip code)
STEP 2: SELECT A FORM LETTER
- Click here for a blank form letter for Ben Franklin partners
- Click here for a blank form letter for Ben Franklin clients
- Copy the blank form letter into your emails and customize as necessary
- Please copy Yvette Moody on your emails (yvette@sep.benfranklin.org) so we can keep track of your efforts
- Send the email- Thank you!
Click here to learn more about why we are requesting your help
Click here to read a one page overview of BFTP for your reference and/or to include in your communications
Click here to read an executive summary of a recent BFTP impact study for your background and/or to include in your communications
It is critical for our region that we take steps to insure that the regional progress we have fought so hard to achieve over 25 years not be ended. If our region and the Commonwealth are to be in a position to survive the current economic turmoil, it is important that they invest, now, in efforts that are job and revenue generators. The message is a simple one. Our economic impact report shows that each $1.00 for the BFTPs generates $3.50 back to the Commonwealth. Cutting us now only increases the deficit in the future.
We are seeking restoration of full funding for the BFTDA line item since many of our university partnerships are included in that funding, as well as other regional efforts (MAG, UCSC, Dreamit, KIZs, etc.); so, the impact on our region would be substantial.
Thank you!
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA | 
