SAMPLE LETTER TO STATE LEGISLATORS
DATE
Senator_________/Assembly Member_________
State Capitol, Room #________
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Developmental Services; Budget Item 4300
Dear Senator_________/Assembly Member_________,
I am {insert your name, title and agency name} serving {insert the number of consumers} who are people with mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy seizure disorders and other developmental disabilities {insert the communities in which you provide services}.
We understand the severe economic problems facing the State. Many of these problems have plagued our system since the first funding freezes were imposed more than 10 years ago. We have worked with the Administration and the Legislature to identify ways to cut more than $300 million this fiscal year and we understand the need to continue those cutbacks until the revenue picture of the state turns around.
The Governor’s budget, at first glance, appears to hold the line on service cuts in the proposed 2010-11 FY budget before you. At closer reading, however, there are assumptions of revenues that cause us great anxiety because they may not be forthcoming. The Governor expects the continuation of $195 million in federal Medicaid funds as well as $200 million becoming available from the counties’ allocations under Proposition 10. The federal funds obviously require action from the US Congress as well as the federal administration to be real. The Proposition 10 funds will come only IF voters approve the redirection of funds, a decision already rejected by voters last year!
The cuts have made it harder to support the lives of people with developmental disabilities. But they have done nothing to reduce the number of people who have disabilities, the severity of their disabilities, or their hopes and dreams to be full participants in their communities.
NO MORE! We have contributed hundreds of millions of dollars in rate cuts, program restrictions and eligibility limitations. We strongly oppose further cuts that are excessively devastating to consumers and to the service delivery system. There are better alternatives.
The community service system has already absorbed more than 85% of the cuts in services. We CANNOT cut more, especially in the face of no cuts to the $300,000 per bed cost of state-owned developmental centers and few if any cuts to the bureaucracies at the state and local levels.
Until we address runaway costs at outdated state institutions and unchecked bureaucracies, people with disabilities in the community should not be the target simply because they are easier to cut.
We are counting on you to ask tough questions and insist on better accountability in this new round of budget making in Sacramento. Please resist hurting people until very dollar is accounted for among administrative agencies and state institutions!
Sincerely.
PLEASE SEND TO YOUR OWN REPRESENTATIVES AS WELL AS:
Key Legislative Targets
LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP
|
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Last Name |
First Name |
Title |
Room # |
City |
Zip Code |
Phone # |
FAX # |
Steinberg |
Darrell |
Senator President Pro Temp |
State Capitol, Room 205 |
Sacramento |
95814 |
(916) 651-4006 |
(916) 323-2263 |
Dutton |
Robert |
Senator |
State Capitol, Room 305 |
Sacramento |
95814 |
(916) 651-4036 |
(916) 447-9008 |
Perez |
John |
Assembly Speaker |
State Capitol, Room 219 |
Sacramento |
95814 |
(916) 319–2047 |
(916) 319–2147 |
Garrick |
Martin |
Assembly Minority Leader |
State Capitol, Room 2158 |
Sacramento |
95814 |
(916) 319–2033 |
(916) 319–2133 |