INFORMATION ALERT!!!
California Budget Crisis:
Senate Budget Committee Hearings Announced continue Medi-Cal, Mental Health, DDS Set For Jan 26 - 1 PM IHSS, SSI/SSP, CAPI, CalWORKS Set for Feb. 2 - 1 PM No Assembly Budget Committee Hearings Set Yet Hearings On Governor’s Special Session Major Budget Reduction Proposals Requiring Action Before March 1 – In Sign of High Anxiety Over Proposed Cuts Over 1,000 People Participate in Two CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings on Budget Proposals SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 01/14/10 08:20 PM (Pacific Time)] - In response to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proclamation, issued January 8, of a state fiscal emergency, the State Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, chaired by Sen. Denise Ducheny (Democrat – San Diego) released today a series of public hearings through early February that will focus on the Governor’s budget spending reduction proposals that need early action from the Legislature by March 1, 2010, in order to take effect June 1, 2010. Most of the other proposals by the Governor that would take effect during the next State budget year that begins July 1, 2010, will be heard later – likely March through April and early May, during what used to be the normal state budget subcommittee process. Representatives from the Governor’s Department of Finance, the Legislative Analyst Office, the non-partisan agency that works for the Legislature in reviewing and providing analysis on budget issues, will be at each of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee hearings. Brief public testimony and comments will be taken at the Senate budget hearings – though persons can submit written comments and testimony before, during and after the hearings. The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee is not expected to take final action on the Governor’s proposals during these hearings, though in theory it could. The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee held a informational hearing earlier today on the general overview of the Governor’s proposed State budget though took no action, but did announce the series of hearings. The Assembly Budget Committee, chaired by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (Democrat – Santa Rosa) held a similar overview hearing on January 13. No Hearing Schedule Yet From Assembly Budget Committee Other than a joint informational hearing with the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services on January 27 dealing with implementation of recent changes to the In-Home Supportive Services program, the Assembly Budget Committee or its budget subcommittees, have not yet released a schedule of hearings, though that is expected soon. Legislature On Fast Track To Respond To Governor’s Proposals for Cuts to Current Budget · The Legislature – as it has for the past several years, is responding to the Governor’s proposed State Budget on two tracks due to the budget crisis with an enormous budget deficit estimated at close to $20 billion by the end of the 2010-2011 State Budget year (that ends June 30, 2011), with the first track focused on considering and approving proposals that would reduce spending or make other budget changes effective during the current budget year – meaning cuts or changes that would take effect before June 30, 2010. · In order for that to happen however, the Legislature would have to approve reductions and policy changes to the current budget no later than March 1, 2010 (to allow sufficient time for any reductions to be implemented by the state agencies, including required notices). The hearings in January and early February are being held to review and consider the Governor’s proposals for budget reductions – sometimes referred to as mid-year reductions – to take effect June 1, 2010. · The second track is what used to be the normal budget process of subcommittee hearings, followed by a joint budget conference committee, and then deadlock in both houses until agreement is reached among the “Big Five” (the Governor, and the four Democratic and Republican State Senate and Assembly leaders). Those subcommittee hearings normally begin in March and end sometime in early May. It is not certain how this second track will proceed, since last year, for the first time in California history, the Legislature passed a State budget four months early in February – though it required major revisions in July due to the still growing deficit. It doesn’t appear likely at this point that the Legislature will repeat passing an early budget. · In addition to that, is the impact to the budget process due to the June 2010 state primary election when all the major statewide officers – including governor, all 80 Assembly and 20 State Senate seats are up for election, followed in November by the general election. Medi-Cal, Mental Health, Developmental Services Senate Hearing January 26 Most of the major budget cutting proposals impacting health services, including proposals for major reductions to Medi-Cal, Mental Health, Healthy Families, and developmental services (regional centers and developmental centers) will be heard on January 26, Tuesday afternoon at 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the State Capitol in Room 4203. Brief public testimony will be taken in addition to written comments and letters submitted to the committee. The Governor is proposing over $1 billion in spending reductions to the Medi-Cal program, including permanent elimination of the Medi-Cal adult day health optional benefit, major cuts to Healthy Families – the state’s health insurance program for low income children matched with federal State Children’s Health Insurance Program funds, reductions to Mental Health by proposing shifting funds from the Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63), and continuing on-going reductions passed last July and February to developmental services (community-based services funded through the 21 non-profit regional centers under the Department of Developmental Services, who also oversee the operations of the state owned and staffed developmental centers and 2 smaller facilities. IHSS, SSI/SSP, CAPI AND CALWORKS Senate Budget Hearing February 2 The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee hearing on human services – including In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), SSI/SSP, (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment cash grant program), CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants), CalWORKS, is scheduled for February 2, 2010, Tuesday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the State Capitol in Room 4203. Brief public testimony will be taken in addition to written comments and letters submitted to the committee. The Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants provides grants similar to SSI/SSP for about 10,000 legal immigrants in California who have disabilities, are blind or low income seniors who do not qualify for the federal SSI grant program. The Governor has proposed complete elimination of this program, effective June 1, 2010 (assuming the Legislature approves this proposal by March 1, 2010). The Governor is proposing major reductions to the IHSS program including a proposal that would have sweeping impact on eligibility and services. That proposal, if enacted by March 1, 2010, and effective June 1, 2010, reduce the population receiving IHSS by 87%, or about 420,000 children and adults with disabilities, the blind, mental health needs and seniors, based on a person’s “functional index score”. That score, an internal assessment tool administered by a county social worker when assessing (or re-assessing) a person for services under IHSS, is the average of rankings of the ability of a person to perform various tasks. The Governor proposes that anyone with a “functional index score” of 4.00 or higher would continue to be eligible for services under IHSS – and anyone below that would no longer be eligible for any services under IHSS. Over 1,000 People Participate in 2 CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings This Week On Governor’s Budget Proposals on IHSS, SSI/SSP & Developmental Services In a sign of increasing anxiety and concern about the Govenror’s proposals for sweeping cuts to In-Home Supportive Services, SSI/SSP, Medi-Cal, and other health and human services, over 1,000 people with disabilities, mental health needs, the blind, seniors, their families, community organizations, facilities, workers, advocates, federal, state and local officials participated in the two free public forums this week, called CDCAN “Townhall Telemeetings” accessed by toll free phone lines. People were able to ask questions directly to senior state officials on the Governor’s budget proposals. The CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings, since early 2003, thousands of people have participated in the free public forums that seek to link people to public policy making directly. Audio recordings of both townhall telemeetings (and other townhall telemeetings) are available to anyone on the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us More townhalls are planned, pending additional funding and support (see below). The CDCAN Townhall Telemeeting held January 12th, focused on proposed cuts to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), CalWORKS, SSI/SSP, the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) and featured California Department of Social Services senior officials, including director John Wagner, Chief Deputy Director Bob Garica, Deputy Director Pete Cervinka, Deputy Director Eva Lopez and Bureau Chief Eileen Carroll. Over 370 people participated in that townhall telemeeting from across the State. The CDCAN Townhall Telemeeting held January 13th focused on proposed reductions and other changes and a status update on the budget reductions passed last July and February to the budget under the Department of Developmental Services that funds services coordinated by the 21 non-profit regional centers for over 240,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities.. The department also provided updates on the operations of the state-owned and staffed developmental centers and two smaller facilities which it oversees. That townhall featured Terri Delgadillo, director of the Department of Developmental Services, Chief Deputy Director Mark Hutchinson, Deputy Directors Julia Mullen and Rita Walker, and Mary Lee Pennington, who heads the department’s legislative unit. Nearly 800 people with disabilities and others participated in this townhall, breaking the previous attendance record. MEMBERS OF SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE Total Members: 15 Democrats (10 members): Denise Ducheny (Committee Chair), Elaine Alquist (chair of the Senate Health Committee), Mark DeSaulnier, Mark Leno (chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services), Carol Liu (chair of the Senate Human Services Committee), Alan Lowenthal (chair of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee), Gloria Negrete McLeod, Alex Padilla, Joe Simitian and Roderick Wright Republicans (5 members): Robert Dutton (Committee Vice-Chair), Roy Ashburn, Robert Huff, Abel Maldonado, and Mimi Walters Note: Leno, Alquist and Ashburn are the three members who make up the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services. To provide this committee with written testimony or comments, send to the committee office (or provide during the committee hearing): Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Office State Capitol – Room 5019 [different from the committee hearing room] Scramento, CA 95814 Main committee office phone: (916) 651-4103 BUDGET HEARING SCHEDULE BY SUBJECT Note: budget committee and subcommittee hearing dates and times are always subject to last minute changes. CalWORKS Feb 02 – Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s budget proposals) Developmental Services (regional centers & developmental centers) Jan 26 – Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s budget proposals) Education Jan 19 - Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s budget proposals) Healthy Families Jan 26 – Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s budget proposals) In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Jan 27 – Assembly Budget Committee & Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 (3rd IHSS Reforms Oversight hearing) Feb 02 – Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s budget proposals) Medi-Cal Jan 26 – Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s budget proposals) Mental Health Jan 26 – Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s budget proposals) SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment grant program) & CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants) Feb 02 – Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s budget proposals) BUDGET AND BUDGET RELATED HEARINGS SCHEDULED TO DATE The following are budget committees and budget related committee hearings scheduled so far. The Assembly, except for a special oversight hearing on IHSS set for January 27th, has not yet released a budget hearing schedule on the Governor’s special session budget proposals. JANUARY 19, 2010 (TUESDAY) SENATE AND ASSEMBLY SELECT COMMITTEES ON IMPROVING STATE GOVERNMENT 09:00 AM – State Capitol Room 4203 Joint Informational Hearing – Subject: Summary and recommendations of Reform Proposals CDCAN Comment: While not specifically reviewing the Governor’s proposed State budget, the proposed reforms, if eventually approved by the Legislature and Governor, could have impact on the State budget, including the process. PRIORITY: Important SENATE BUDGET AND FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE 11:30 AM – State Capitol Room 112 Subject: Overview of the Governor’s Budget Proposals for K-12 Education and Higher Education PUBLIC TESTIMONY: Yes – limited and brief (written letters and comments can always be submitted before, during and after the hearing) CDCAN Comment: Though not the specific focus, the Governor’s special session proposals that have an impact on spending or policy changes related to special education, adult education or higher education for students with disabilities (including disabled students services) would be included in this hearing. PRIORITY: HIGH JANUARY 20, 2010 (WEDNESDAY) JOINT LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMITTEE 09:30 AM – State Capitol Room 126 Informational Hearing – Subject: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA): A Review of the State Auditor’s Compliance Reports CDCAN Comment: While not specifically reviewing the Governor’s proposed State budget, the issue of California’s receipt and compliance of the federal stimulus money has a critical impact on the State budget this and next year. PRIORITY: Important SENATE TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING COMMITTEE 1:30 PM – State Capitol Room 112 Informational Hearing – Subject: The Use of Federal Economic Stimulus Funds for Transportation CDCAN Comment: The focus of this informational hearing is on stimulus funds specifically for transportation – though the earlier Joint Legislative Audit Committee could likely touch on some similar issues dealing with compliance by state transportation related agencies. While not the specific focus, the issues related federal stimulus funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for public and accessible transportation for persons with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and low income families would also fall under the topic for this hearing. PRIORITY: Important JANUARY 21, 2010 (THURSDAY) SENATE BUDGET AND FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE Meets upon adjournment of the State Senate Appropriations Committee State Capitol Room 4203 Subject: Overview of the Governor’s Proposals for Transportation and Resources CDCAN Comment: The Governor’s budget proposals impacting funding accessible and public transportation, including paratransit services, would fall under the subject of this hearing. PRIORITY: VERY HIGH JANUARY 26, 2010 (TUESDAY) SENATE BUDGET AND FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE 1:00 to 4:00 PM – State Capitol Room 4203 SUBJECT: Overview of the Governor’s Budget Proposals for Health PUBLIC TESTIMONY: Yes – limited and brief (written letters and comments can always be submitted before, during and after the hearing) CDCAN Comment: Includes Medi-Cal, mental health, Healthy Families, developmental services (regional centers/developmental centers). Public Health issues are not, at this point, on the agenda for this hearing. PRIORITY: VERY HIGH SENATE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE AND SENATE HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE ON AGING AND LONG–TERM CARE 1:30 to 5:00 PM – State Capitol – Room 112 Informational Hearing – Subject: The Future of Long–Term Care CDCAN Comment: While not specifically reviewing the Governor’s budget proposals, the discussion of the future of long term care is directly linked to many of the Governor’s proposals impacting health and humans services – and also the on-going process to renew and expand the Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver, set to expire August 2010/ PRIORITY: HIGH JANUARY 27, 2010 (WEDNESDAY) JOINT HEARING OF ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE AND SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #3 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 01:30 to 3:30 PM – State Capitol Room 4203 Informational Hearing – 3rd Oversight Hearing on the Implementation of Recent Reforms in the In-Home Supportive Services Program PUBLIC TESTIMONY: Probably but it will likely be very limited and brief (written letters and comments can always be submitted before, during and after the hearing) CDCAN Comment: the two previous informational hearings were held in November. PRIORITY: VERY HIGH JANUARY 28, 2010 (THURSDAY) SENATGE BUDGET AND FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE 09:30 AM or upon adjournment of the State Senate floor session State Capitol Room 4203 SUBJECT: Overview of the Governor’s Budget Proposals for Corrections and Employee Compensation PRIORITY: Important FEBRUARY 2, 2010 (TUESDAY) SENATE BUDGET AND FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE 1:00 to 4:00 PM – State Capitol Room 4203 SUBJECT: Overview of the Governor’s Budget Proposals for Human Services PUBLIC TESTIMONY: Yes – limited and brief (written letters and comments can always be submitted before, during and after the hearing) CDCAN Comment: Includes Governor’s budget proposals impacting In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment grant program, CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants), CalWORKS (state’s “welfare to work” program). PRIORITY: VERY HIGH FEBRUARY 4, 2010 (THURSDAY) SENATE BUDGET AND FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE 09:30 AM or upon adjournment of the State Senate floor session State Capitol Room 4203 SUBJECT: Alternatives to the Governor’s Budget Proposals, including revenues PRIORITY: HIGH SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SURPLUS PROPERTY 11:00 AM or upon adjournment of State Senate floor session State Capitol Room 3191 Informational Hearing – Subject: 1) Existing practices for identifying and disposing of state surplus property 2) Progress made towards selling selected properties. CDCAN Comment: While not reviewing the specific proposals in the Governor’s proposed budget, the issue of state surplus property and how it is identified and disposed would have impact on the budget. PRIORITY: Important