Action Alerts   

June 10, 2010

 

URGENT ACTION ALERT!!!

 

Conference Committee Leaves “Open” DDS Payment Cut


  Assembly Budget Chair Blumenfield makes strong statement  against cut!

 

Late yesterday afternoon, the 2-House Budget Conference Committee passed over the DDS payment cut item without making a decision.

 

Of importance, however, was a strong statement by Assembly Budget Committee Chair and Conferee Bob Blumenfield (D-Van Nuys) that “we don’t like this cut”. Senator Denyse Ducheny, Senate Budget Committee Chair and chair of the Conference Committee acknowledged that nobody likes the cuts but was not nearly positive about adopting a no-cut position.

 

It appears that the issue is being deferred to a broader discussion tied at least in part to the Assembly Speaker’s proposal to discuss possible revenue increases, a proposal that could include DDS. However, the issues surrounding the Speaker’s ideas are flying at a much higher level in very rarified air.

We have together done a great job of educating Members on the merits of making no further cuts to the DD system and to instead get the necessary $25 million General Fund savings from the over-funded and under-subscribed “Prevention Program”

 

As a point of clarification, CDSA’s position is to FULLY FUND the Prevention Program as the level necessary to serve actual and projected caseload. That caseload is now 4,100 – not the 17,000 anticipated when $36 million was allocated to this “program”. Even if the caseload were to double to 8,000 (we have no reason to believe that would happen, but nonetheless …) the cost of the program would still leave the prevention program over-funded by much more than $20 million!

 

The Conference Committee will continue to “go through the book” and then circle back and go through passed and unresolved items. When that might happen is always a bit of a mystery – but generally they do not take items out of order – we may have a few days to continue our efforts.

 

URGENT ACTION REQUEST!

 

You have all done extraordinary work on getting our message to the Conferees. It is clear that their offices are aware of this controversy.

 

But special recognition goes to those who are from the actual districts represented by Conferees. As direct constituents, you have both a special recognition and a unique opportunity to make an impact. And that effort must continue – this issue is not yet resolved by any stretch of the imagination.

 

All CDSA members should please continue your broader effort. But please use some time today to call the offices of the Senate Conferees – both Republican and Democrat and urge their assistance.  Remember that we are in Conference because the Assembly rejected the cut BUT the Senate supported it!  

 

The message doesn’t change!

 

 

 

 

 

SAMPLE LETTER

DATE

 

Senator Denise Ducheny, Chair
Senate Budget Conference Committee
State Capitol, Room 5035
Sacramento, CA  95814

 

RE:     Department of Developmental Services (DDS);
Item 4300-101-001, Conference Agenda page 39


            SUPPORT ASSEMBLY VERSION

 

Dear Senator Ducheny,

 

I am (introduce yourself; executive director, manager, direct care staff, board member, business partner, supporter etc.) of (Name of agency) serving the communities of (list your communities!)

 

We SUPPORT the Assembly version of the DDS budget item before you and STRONGLY URGE YOU TO APPROVE this version when the issue comes before you.

 

The Governor has proposed to reduce funding for my programs by 1.25%! That cut is worth (what does a $1.25% cut cost you???). That amount of money would make me (reduce wages? lay-off staff? reduce program enrollment? eliminate programs? Be as specific as you can!)

 

We understand the terrible budget situation faced by the State. But we want you to understand how difficult it has been for our agency to keep our doors open and provide services to hundreds of people with disabilities with more than $500 million in cuts to the general fund in the last two years!

 

We are already subject to a 3% payment cut which has cost us ($$$). We are carrying another loss of ($$$$) from cuts to adult education and various cuts to a long list of programs that state-wide add up to more than $334 million carried over from last year.

 

This additional cut would be devastating. And it isn’t necessary! Rather than take $48.2 million (TF) from services, there is a program operated by regional centers – the “prevention program” – which is to receive $36 million to provide case management for 17,000 infants ages 0-3 made ineligible to receive early intervention services. But only 4,100 infants have enrolled!

 

The program is over-funded and under-enrolled. The program should be funded for actual anticipated caseload and the over-allocation should be used to eliminate the need for further payment cuts – cuts that will, by the way, impact infants who are eligible for early intervention programs!

 

When the State is in such dire straits, we simply cannot justify overfunding any program while others face catastrophic cuts!

 

Please join us in SUPPORTING THE ASSEMBLY ACTION to eliminate the cut and eliminate related trailer bill language both of which were supported by the Senate. Should you require an offset for the $25 million that would otherwise come from the payment cut, please adopt a reduction to the prevention program!

 

Sincerely,

 

Signature
Title

 

C:        Conference Committee Members
            Your Senator
            Your Assembly Member