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CDCAN ALERT
California Disability Community Action Network
Advocacy Without Borders:
News Impacting People With Disabilities, Mental Health Needs, Seniors
Goes out to over 45,000 people, organizations, policy makers across California
Marty Omoto - martyomoto@rcip.com website: www.cdcan.us


IT IS ABOUT RIGHTS - AND ABOUT LIVES THAT MATTER

WHY - MAJOR SPENDING CUTS:
Proposed spending cuts to current State Budget including those impacting Medi-Cal, SSI/SSP, and cuts proposed for the state budget that takes effect July 1, 2008 impacting In-Home Supportive Services, regional centers, education, SSI/SSP, Medi-Cal, mental health services, CalWORKS, CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants) public health, community care and more (see CDCAN reports for list of cuts, etc)

WHO - PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS, SENIORS, PEOPLE WHO PROVIDE SUPPORTS, LOW INCOME FAMILIES & OTHERS
Children and adults with disabilities (including those people with developmental disabilities including autism), mental health needs, seniors, people with traumatic brain and other injuries, people with MS, Alzheimer's and other disorders, their families, support workers (including IHSS), community organizations, low income families and others across California.

These proposed spending cuts impact all of us, whether we are children or adults with autism, with other disabilities, with other developmental disabilities, with mental health needs, with MS, Alzheimer's, with a traumatic brain or other injuries, whether we are seniors, or family members, or low income families, whether we people special needs new to this country, whether we are people who provide supports or community organizations and groups who provide services. We are one community and we need to practice that with unified action not to protect spending to a program, but fight for our rights for the simple reason that a life matters.

WHAT: GET PEOPLE TO ATTEND HEARINGS NEXT TWO WEEKS
There will be several other actions that people can take, including visiting and calling your local legislator in their local offices, writing letters to them and to your local newspapers, radio stations, TV news stations, writing comments to your own blogs, or to others, or to other internet sites, participating in CDCAN townhall telemeetings. In all instances, we urge you to treat everyone with respect, whether a legislator, a legislative staffer, a department director or staffer or someone from the Governor's office. We can be absolutely strong, uncompromising and consistent in our advocacy and our fight, in our protests and demonstrations, without treating people with disrespect.

CDCAN will be issuing later today sample letters and sample comments and a list of people to consider contacting and suggested local community events and action steps.

We are looking at organizing (in some cases with others) a series of rallies and demonstrations not only at the Capitol before these hearings, but elsewhere in the State.

However IF you have the resources and ability to come to Sacramento in the next two weeks to testify at several different budget subcommittee hearings covering different programs and services targeted for spending cuts, please do so. If you cannot, then try to get others to consider coming up.

Please understand that people will ALSO be needed to come to Sacramento on other dates - in March and April and possibly early May for hearings. But people are needed NOW in the coming weeks as the cuts being considered, if passed, could take effect as early as June 1.

Decisions are made by those who show up. We will work to help you "show up" in different ways in your own community - or if you cannot easily leave your own home, or if you are in a facility, there are things you can do from there. We'll help with that. CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings and conference calls are one way.
However if you can "show up" at one or more of these upcoming hearings, please do so. We need to show policymakers at every level that we are not invisible and that a life matters in considering any of these proposals.

WHEN: NEXT TWO WEEKS
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services has scheduled a series of hearings focusing on each of the Governor's proposals for spending cuts not only for the current year budget (meaning cuts, if passed, that take effect this year), but also proposed spending cuts to next year's budget (2008-2009) that take effect sometime on or after July 1, 2008. The series of hearings, while difficult to spread out resources and time for people, does allow for a more detailed review of the impact of the proposed cuts. There has been no official schedule released on what the other Assembly Budget Subcommittees (covering other issues including education, housing, transportation, etc) - but we will get word out as soon as something is released. Those areas also have tremendous impact.

In addition to these scheduled hearings, there will be Senate Budget Committee hearings likely in the coming weeks. It is not certain if the Senate will hold a series of hearings held by the Senate Budget Subcommittees or one or more hearings by the full committee. Information on that should be available soon.

Also, both houses will schedule regular budget subcommittee hearings later for March and April and early May that advocates will also need to attend - those hearings will focus on the State Budget for 2008-2009 (the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services hearing in the next two weeks will cover that too - but will continue review of those proposed cuts for the next budget year, in March, April and early May).

Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services Hearings
Note: rooms still to be determined. The schedule for each of hearings might extend beyond 5 PM each day depending on how the first couple of hearings go. There will only be limited time for very brief testimony (not more than a minute or so). But numbers of people, faces and a few words can make a difference.

JAN 21, 2008 (MONDAY
State & Federal Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr Birthday observance

JAN 22, 2008 (TUESDAY)
1:30 to 5:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Human Services and Health
Departments/Programs:
* Department of Developmental Services at 1:30 PM
* Department of Mental Health at 3:30 PM
PRIORITY: CRITICAL
CDCAN Comment: important hearing for advocates as it will cover special session proposals including those impacting regional centers, developmental centers, mental health. Will also cover proposed cuts to the 2008-2009 State Budget (there will more hearings on those cuts in March and April).

JAN 23, 2008 (WEDNESDAY)
1:30 to 4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Health
Departments/Programs:
* Department of Health Care Services - Medi-Cal Part I
* Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (MRMIB) - Healthy Families
PRIORITY: CRITICAL
CDCAN Comment: important hearing for advocates because it will cover many of the Medi-Cal proposed special session cuts (possibly provider rate reductions, optional benefits,quarterly status reports, etc either at this hearing or on January 31. Also proposed reductions to the children's health program (Healthy Families) will also be heard. Will also cover proposed cuts to the 2008-2009 State Budget (there will more hearings on those cuts in March and April)

Also Note: CDCAN is holding at 10:00 to 11:45 AM this same day on January 23, a CDCAN Townhall Telemeeting focusing on regional center and developmental center proposed cuts featuring the Department of Developmental Services director Terri Delgadillo and other department officials. The townhall telemeetinng is open to the public and can be accessed via toll free lines, and also the internet. Additional townhalls are being scheduled to cover other issues including IHSS, SSI/SSP, special education, housing, transportation, and employment.
The toll free line is: 1-800-608-4143 (there is NO passcode
See CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us for more information.

JAN 24, 2008 (THURSDAY)
1:30 to 4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Human Services
Departments/Programs:
* California Department on Aging
* Department of Social Services - Adult Programs (CalWORKS, In-Home Supportive Services and SSI/SSP)
PRIORITY: CRITICAL
CDCAN Comment: important hearing for advocates because it will cover proposed IHSS cut (18% reduction in non-medical domestic related hours for persons receiving IHSS services) and also proposals for reductions to SSI/SSP with suspending the state cost of living increase for the SSP portion of the grant scheduled for June 2008 and June 2009, and also new requirements and reductions to the CalWORKS that impacts low income families and children - many with special needs and disabilities. Will also cover proposed cuts to the 2008-2009 State Budget (there will more hearings on those cuts in March and April)

JAN 28, 2008 (MONDAY)
1:30 to 4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Human Services
Departments/Programs:
* Department of Social Services - Child Welfare Services, Automation, Food Programs
* Department of Child Support Services
PRIORITY: Important

JAN 29, 2008 (TUESDAY)
1:30 to 4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Health
Departments/Programs:
* Department of Public Health
* Emergency Medical Services Authority
* CMAC
PRIORITY: Important

JAN 30, 2008 (WEDNESDAY)
1:30 to 4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Human Services
Departments/Programs:
* Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD)
* Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs
* Department of Rehabilitation
* Health and Human Services Agency
* Department of Community Services and Development (CSD)
PRIORITY: Important

JAN 31, 2008 (THURSDAY)
1:30 to 4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Health
Departments/Programs:
* Department of Health Care Services - support and Medi-Cal Part II
PRIORITY: CRITICAL
CDCAN Comment: This is an important hearing for advocates because it will cover many of the Medi-Cal proposed special session cuts (possibly provider rate reductions, optional benefits,quarterly status reports, etc either at this hearing or on January 23). Will also cover proposed cuts to the 2008-2009 State Budget (there will more hearings on those cuts in March and April)

From: CDCANreportlist01@rcip.com [mailto:CDCANreportlist01@rcip.com] On Behalf Of Marty Omoto, Director - California Disability Community Action Network (CDCAN)
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 1:55 PM
To: CDCANreportlist01@rcip.com
Subject: Re: CDCAN REPORT #14-2008: Senate to Hold Full Committee Hearings Beginning Next Week on Special Session Spending Cuts & Cash Flow Problem

CDCAN DISABILITY RIGHTS NEWS REPORT
California Disability Community Action Network
Advocacy Without Borders:
News Impacting People With Disabilities, Mental Health Needs, Seniors
Goes out to over 45,000 people, organizations, policy makers across California
Marty Omoto - martyomoto@rcip.com website: www.cdcan.us
Report #014-2008 - January 17, 2008 Thursday

California Budget Crisis:
* Senate Budget Committee Will Hold More Hearings
* Full Senate Committee Will Hold 4 or 5 Hearings
* Assembly Budget Subcommittee Hearings Next Week
* Major State Cash Flow Problem Highlighted As Issue
* Major Impact to People With Disabilities, Seniors

SACRAMENTO (CDCAN) - The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, chaired by Sen. Denise Ducheny (Democrat - San Diego) held its first hearing this morning (January 17) on the Governor's proposed State Budget and also proposed cuts in spending to the current year budget, and announced that it would hold a series of full committee hearings to review the details of mid-year spending cuts and related issues beginning next week on the following dates (in addition to the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services hearing dates (see below for full details):

* Jan 22 (Tuesday) and Jan 24 (Thursday)
* Jan 29 (Tuesday) and Jan 30 (Wednesday)
* Feb 4 (Monday)

The Governor's Department of Finance Deputy Director Vince Brown provided the committee grim news on the State's finances, including major problems of cash flow this year that could - if not addressed and resolved - cause serious delays in the State's ability to pay its bills. That issue is separate - though related to - the Governor's proposed cuts to the current year State Budget, his proposed State Budget for next year (that begins July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.

The Assembly Budget Committee meets later this afternoon at 1:30 PM to hear a similar overview.

The Governor, on January 10th, declared a "fiscal emergency" under the State Constitution, that requires the Legislature to meet in special session to consider proposed spending cuts to the current year State Budget and to send to the Governor a bill or bills that address the emergency. If the Legislature fails to do so within 45 days of January 10th, it cannot adjourn or take up action on any other bill. This provision was added to the State Constitution was passed by voters in 2004 as Proposition 58 and has never been used before

Proposed Spending Cuts Impact Medi-Cal, IHSS, Regional Centers
With a $14.5 billion State budget deficit projected by the end of the 2008-2009 State Budget year, the Governor proposed sweeping spending cuts not only to next year's budget, but to the budget that California currently is operating under (as passed by the Legislature last August).

Some of those proposals by the Governor include:
* Proposal to suspend the State cost of living increase scheduled to take effect June 2008 and also June 2009 for the state portion (SSP) of the SSI/SSP grants to the lowest income people with disabilities, seniors and the blind,
* Proposed major cuts to Medi-Cal, including a 10% rate cut to Medi-Cal providers, elimination of several Medi-Cal optional benefits, that would take effect June 1 this year, assuming the Legislature passes the Governor's proposals by March 1. [Note: CDCAN held a townhall telemeeting yesterday, January 16th, featuring top officials from the Department of Health Care Services, which oversees the Medi-Cal program, who provided updates and answered questions on the proposed spending cuts. Over 300 people with disabilities and seniors and other advocates participated. See separate CDCAN Report today for details on that townhall]
* Other proposed cuts that the Governor wants passed before March 1 (though would not take effect until July 1, 2008) is a proposed 18% reduction in non-medical domestic hours for those people with disabilities and seniors receiving In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS).

State Budget Process Complicated This Year
The State budget process this year is complicated because it covers four areas that while connected, are moving in different processes or have different deadlines in terms of urgency of making a decision:
* Cash flow problems of the State that needs to be addressed immediately in order for the State to continue to pay its bills.
* Proposed cuts to the current year State Budget that need to be passed or otherwise addressed by March 1
* Proposed cuts and the actual proposed State Budget for 2008-2009 for the budget year that begins July 1 which will be addressed in the "normal" budget process that usually begins with subcommittee hearings in March, April and early May.
* Reforms to the State Budget process, that includes a proposed constitutional amendment to cap, prioritize spending and to allow for automatic spending cuts when a budget shortfall occurs that will likely be a part of the regular budget process and does not require immediate action in the special session.

Senate and Assembly Hearings Set for Special Session
Unlike in the Assembly, the full Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee will hold a series of hearings that will focus on the State's cash flow budget problems, and also the proposals by the Governor that call for cuts in spending to the current State budget (or proposals that require passage before March 1, 2008 in order to be effective by July 1). The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee hearing schedule is as follows (no exact times were announced yet, nor a room, though presumably it will be at the State Capitol in Room 4203 where budget hearings are usually held):

As previously reported yesterday, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services, chaired by Assemblymember Patty Berg (Democrat - Eureka) has scheduled a series of hearings, beginning January 22 (Tuesday) to hear the Governor's proposed special session spending cuts and reductions, including those cuts impacting the current State budget as passed last August and also the Governor's proposed cuts to the 2008-2009 State Budget.

Assembly Budget Subcommittee staff say that no actions are planned to be taken at any of these hearings, though the hearings are important in focusing on the impact of each spending proposal.

Both houses have not yet scheduled hearings for the regular budget process, that normally begins in March.

Impact to People with Disabilities, Seniors, Mental Health Needs, Low Income Families & Workers
* These hearings represent the first opportunity for people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors, their families, low income workers and families to provide public testimony on proposed cuts that impact them. CDCAN has issued an action alert urging advocates and others to come to these hearings.
* While no actions will be taken at the full budget committee hearings on January 17 or the Assembly budget subcommittee hearings beginning next week, given the fast track nature of the major proposed cuts - some that the Governor is asking to be effective on March 1, 2008 - it is important that the subcommittee hears about the impact of each proposal on the lives of real people.
* CDCAN will issue a report on what the State Senate will do as soon as information becomes available. In addition, as other Assembly Budget Subcommittees (including on education) release their schedules, CDCAN will issue reports on that too. As of Thursday morning (January 17) no information on those hearings have yet been announced.

Special Session Hearing Schedule
* Rooms for the Assembly hearings still to be determined.
* The Senate did not announce the room, though presumably it will be in Room 4203 at the State Capitol.
* Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee hearing times have not yet been announced, nor has the specific agendas for the week of January 28.
* The schedule for each of Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services hearings might extend beyond 5 PM each day depending on how the first couple of hearings go.

JAN 21, 2008 (MONDAY
State & Federal Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr Birthday observance

JAN 22, 2008 (TUESDAY)

SENATE BUDGET & FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
Time: not yet announced, State Capitol - Room not yet announced
Budget Issue/Topic:
* State's cash problem crisis
* State revenues

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
1:30 to 5:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Human Services and Health
Departments/Programs:
* Department of Developmental Services at 1:30 PM
* Department of Mental Health at 3:30 PM
CDCAN Comment: important hearing for advocates as it will cover special session proposals including those impacting regional centers, developmental centers, mental health. Will also cover proposed cuts to the 2008-2009 State Budget (there will more hearings on those cuts in March and April).

JAN 23, 2008 (WEDNESDAY)
ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
1:30 to 4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Health
Departments/Programs:
* Department of Health Care Services - Medi-Cal Part I
* Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (MRMIB) - Healthy Families
CDCAN Comment: important hearing for advocates because it will cover many of the Medi-Cal proposed special session cuts (possibly provider rate reductions, optional benefits,quarterly status reports, etc either at this hearing or on January 31. Also proposed reductions to the children's health program (Healthy Families) will also be heard. Will also cover proposed cuts to the 2008-2009 State Budget (there will more hearings on those cuts in March and April)

Note: CDCAN is holding at 10:00 to 11:45 AM this same day on January 23, a CDCAN Townhall Telemeeting focusing on regional center and developmental center proposed cuts featuring the Department of Developmental Services director Terri Delgadillo and other department officials. The townhall telemeetinng is open to the public and can be accessed via toll free lines, and also the internet. See CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us for more information.

JAN 24, 2008 (THURSDAY)
SENATE BUDGET & FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
Time: not yet announced, State Capitol - Room not yet announced
Budget Issue/Topic:
* Education - Proposition 98 and higher education
* Correctional & Rehabilitation issues (prisons)
Departments/Programs:
* Department of Education
* Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
1:30 to 4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Human Services
Departments/Programs:
* California Department on Aging
* Department of Social Services - Adult Programs (CalWORKS, In-Home Supportive Services and SSI/SSP)
CDCAN Comment: important hearing for advocates because it will cover proposed IHSS cut (18% reduction in non-medical domestic related hours for persons receiving IHSS services) and also proposals for reductions to SSI/SSP with suspending the state cost of living increase for the SSP portion of the grant scheduled for June 2008 and June 2009, and also new requirements and reductions to the CalWORKS that impacts low income families and children - many with special needs and disabilities. Will also cover proposed cuts to the 2008-2009 State Budget (there will more hearings on those cuts in March and April)

JAN 28, 2008 (MONDAY)
ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
1:30 to 4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Human Services
Departments/Programs:
* Department of Social Services - Child Welfare Services, Automation, Food Programs
* Department of Child Support Services

JAN 29, 2008 (TUESDAY)
SENATE BUDGET & FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
Time: not yet announced, State Capitol - Room not yet announced
Budget Issue/Topic:
Health or human services (not yet determined)
CDCAN COMMENT: Depending on which area will be covered on this date (health or human services), the hearing will cover the Governor's proposed cuts to current State budget including Medi-Cal optional benefits, provider rates, SSI/SSP cost of living suspension (SSP part of the grant) that would take effect June 1, also IHSS reduction of non-medical domestic hours of 18% that while proposed to take effect July 1, 2008, would need approval by March 1 this year to institute needed changes to make it happen). Other issues - including Healthy Families, regional centers, etc could also be on the agenda.

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
1:30 to 4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Health
Departments/Programs:
* Department of Public Health
* Emergency Medical Services Authority
* CMAC

JAN 30, 2008 (WEDNESDAY)
SENATE BUDGET & FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
Time: not yet announced, State Capitol - Room not yet announced
Budget Issue/Topic:
Health or human services (not yet determined)
CDCAN COMMENT: Depending on which area will be covered on this date (health or human services), the hearing will cover the Governor's proposed cuts to current State budget including Medi-Cal optional benefits, provider rates, SSI/SSP cost of living suspension (SSP part of the grant) that would take effect June 1, also IHSS reduction of non-medical domestic hours of 18% that while proposed to take effect July 1, 2008, would need approval by March 1 this year to institute needed changes to make it happen). Other issues - including Healthy Families, regional centers, etc could also be on the agenda.

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
1:30 to 4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Human Services
Departments/Programs:
* Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD)
* Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs
* Department of Rehabilitation
* Health and Human Services Agency
* Department of Community Services and Development (CSD)

JAN 31, 2008 (THURSDAY)
ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
1:30 to 4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Health
Departments/Programs:
* Department of Health Care Services - support and Medi-Cal Part II
CDCAN Comment: important hearing for advocates because it will cover many of the Medi-Cal proposed special session cuts (possibly provider rate reductions, optional benefits,quarterly status reports, etc either at this hearing or on January 23). Will also cover proposed cuts to the 2008-2009 State Budget (there will more hearings on those cuts in March and April)

FEB 4, 2008 (MONDAY)
SENATE BUDGET & FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
Time: not yet announced, State Capitol - Room not yet announced
Budget Issue/Topic:
Not determined yet

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
1:30 to 4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be determined
Budget Issue/Topic:
Open Issues
Departments/Programs:
Open