BUDGET HEARINGS ON GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED CUTS TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND SENIORS  SET NEXT WEEK - NEW INFO HEARING ON IHSS SCHEDULED 4/30 IN BAKERSFIELD

SACRAMENTO  -   Final critical budget hearings on issues critical to children and adults with disabilities and seniors are scheduled next week at the State Capitol, with an additional informational public hearing scheduled in Bakersfield on in-home supportive services (IHSS) on April 30.  A series of protest rallies and marches that began April 19 to coincide with these critical budget hearings, continues on April 26 and April 28 at the State Capitol.  A media and protest rally is also planned for April 30 in Bakersfield.  While the hearings will focus on specific services and programs, the rallies will emphasize what advocates say is a "all out attack on the rights of children and adults with disabilities and seniors" with the Governor's proposals cutting a "wide range of services" that people with disabilities depend on to live in the community.

Protest rallies and marches were held this past week, beginning April 19, Monday morning with a rally at the Crest Theater and a march to the State Capitol two blocks away, attracting over 600 people, who then attended the Senate Budget Subcommittee hearing on cuts to developmental services.  The second protest was held on April 22, Thursday morning and afternoon, on the West Steps of the State Capitol, attracting over 1,000 people who also attended the Senate Budget Subcommittee hearing that began in the morning on cuts to in-home services for people with disabilities and seniors. [See CDCAN Capitol News Report #69-2004 that will be issued on Saturday for complete report and testimony]
Below is a list of budget hearings scheduled currently scheduled by subject:

COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES AND SUPPORTS
Community-based services refers to those supports and services needed by children and adults with developmental and other disabilities, including those people with traumatic brain injuries and seniors.  The issues and hearings listed below are irrespective of specific disabilities or the departments where the program is budgeted but grouped below because these budget proposals impact a child or adult with disabilities to remain in their own home or live in the community.

Developmental Services Budget Issues
04/26/04 - Monday 4:00 PM  [note: rally being planned for 2 PM]
Who: Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services
Where: State Capitol - Room 437 [note: room COULD change]
Department: Department of Developmental Services
Specific Budget Issues: Governor's major proposals to cut $110 million from community-based services funded through regional centers; cuts to regional center operations; proposal to implement parental/family share of costs for regional center services and a proposal to implement statewide limits on community-based  funding and services. Also, an update on the closure (proposed now for July 2006) of Agnews Developmental Center (no action on this item). No final action will likely be taken on any issue, but this is the last time that public testimony will be taken on these issues.
Priority:  VERY CRITICAL!
Who This Impacts: Children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families, community-based organizations who provide services/supports, regional centers, direct care and other workers and other advocates, developmental centers.
Rally or protest being planned: Yes - begins at 2 PM on the North Steps of the State Capitol. This rally will focus on the ALL the cuts impacting people with disabilities and seniors, including in-home services, SSI/SSP, Medi-Cal.  (see California Disability Community Action Network website at www.cdcan.org for details and exact march route, etc.).

05/03/04 - Monday 1:30 PM
Who: Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health, Human Services, Labor and Veterans
Where: State Capitol - Room to be announced
Department: Department of Developmental Services
Specific Budget Issues:  If necessary, specific items related to services/programs under the Department of Developmental Services, including possibly those items that were heard on April 19 but left "open" for further action.
Priority:  Uncertain at this time
Who This Impacts: people with developmental disabilities, but specific impact is unknown until specific agenda for the hearing is set.
Rally or protest being planned: Uncertain - depends on what is on agenda

In-Home Supportive Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities & Seniors
04/28/04  - Wednesday  1:30 PM  [march and rally planned at 11:00 AM]
Who: Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services
Where: State Capitol - Room 4202
Department: Department of Social Services and Department of Aging
Specific Budget Issues: Governor's proposed cuts to In-Home Supportive Services, including update on his proposal to rescind elimination of the "residual program" of IHSS pending approval for federal funds to support that program; also all Governor's proposals under the Department of Aging. No final action will likely be taken on any issue, but this is the last time that public testimony will be taken on these issues in the Assembly (other than informational hearing scheduled later this month in Bakersfield)
Priority:  VERY CRITICAL!
Who This Impacts: Children and adults with developmental and other disabilities, including people with traumatic brain injuries and seniors, their families, community-based organizations who provide services/supports, independent living centers,  public authorities who oversee IHSS programs within their counties, county public authority advisory committees,  regional centers, in-home workers and other direct care and other workers and other advocates
Rally or protest being planned: Yes - begins at 11:00 AM  outside the Sacramento Convention Center at 13th and K Street Mall.  March will proceed down K Street Mall to 11th Street to the Capitol's South Steps (see California Disability Community Action Network website at www.cdcan.org for details and exact march route, etc.).  This rally will focus on the ALL the cuts impacting people with disabilities and seniors, with a focus on in-home services.

04/30/04  - Friday  9:30 AM to 1 PM
Who: Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services
Where: Kern County Library Auditorium, 701 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, 93301-4816 (between S and Q Streets)
Department: Department of Social Services
Specific Budget Issues: Informational hearing only on Governor's proposed cuts to In-Home Supportive Services, including update on his proposal to rescind elimination of the "residual program" of IHSS pending approval for federal funds to support that program. Also on agenda is proposed cuts to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).   No action can be taken at an informational hearing, but this is the last time that public testimony will be taken on these issues in the Assembly.
Priority:  VERY HIGH
Who This Impacts: Children and adults with developmental and other disabilities, including people with traumatic brain injuries and seniors, their families, community-based organizations who provide services/supports, independent living centers,  public authorities who oversee IHSS programs within their counties, county public authority advisory committees,  regional centers, in-home workers and other direct care and other workers and other advocates
Rally or protest being planned: Yes, a media event and rally is being planned.  See CDCAN website and also alert for further
details.

Rehabilitation
05/03/04  - Monday  4:00 PM
Who: Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services
Where: State Capitol - Room 437
Department: Department of Rehabilitation (also other departments)
Specific Budget Issues: Governor's budget proposals related to Department of Rehabilitation (budget item #5160), and also California Health and Human Services Agency (budget item #0530), and three other departments.  The Health and Human Services Agency budget item could be important as it relates to the 1999 US Supreme Court Olmstead Decision.
Priority:  High
Who This Impacts: Persons with disabilities, though specific impact not known until agenda is released.
Rally or protest being planned: Not at this time

MEDI-CAL
Note: How the Legislature will handle review of the Governor's proposal (still being developed) on reforming the entire Medi-Cal program when it is submitted (sometime in mid-May) is not certain at this point.  That redesign proposal will have tremendous impact on people with disabilities and seniors (and other Medi-Cal recipients).  No hearings on that proposal have been scheduled yet in either house.
05/03/04 - Monday 1:30 PM
Who: Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health, Human Services, Labor and Veterans
Where: State Capitol - Room to be announced
Department: Department of Health Services
Specific Budget Issues: If necessary, specific items related to services/programs under the Department of Health Services that could include specific items under Medi-Cal
Priority:  Uncertain at this time.
Who This Impacts: uncertain until specific agenda is released
Rally or protest being planned: No - not at this time

SPECIAL EDUCATION
 04/26/04 - Monday 1:30 PM
Who: Senate Budget Subcommittee #1 on Education
Where: State Capitol - Room 113 (first floor in the old section)
Department: (state) Department of Education
Specific Budget Issues:  Special education (local assistance or budget item #6110) relating to federal funds off-set, foster care and non-public schools funding formula.  Also to be reviewed is the Early Mental Health Initiative.
Who This Impacts:  Over 650,000 children with special needs (and their families) in special education
Priority: High - but not critical

MENTAL HEALTH
05/03/04 - Monday 1:30 PM
Who: Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health, Human Services, Labor and Veterans
Where: State Capitol - Room to be announced
Department: Department of Mental Health
Specific Budget Issues: If necessary, specific items related to services/programs under the Department of Mental Health
Priority:  Uncertain at this time
Who This Impacts:people with mental health needs, but specific impact is unknown until specific agenda for the hearing is set.
Rally or protest being planned: Unknown

BUDGET HEARINGS SCHEDULED - No Specific Budget Issues Listed Yet
Other hearings to be held IF necessary (specific items not scheduled and public testimony will not be allowed on previously heard items). CDCAN Capitol News Report will update as details become available. The times and dates could change:
* 05/10/04 -  Monday  1:30 PM
Who: Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health, Human Services, Labor and Veterans
* 05/10/04 - Monday 4:00 PM
Who: Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services
* 05/12/04 - Wednesday  1:30 PM
Who: Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services
* 05/13/04 - Thursday (upon adjournment of the full Senate)
Who: Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health, Human Services, Labor and Veterans
* 05/20/04 - Thursday  9:00 AM to 12 noon
Who: Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health, Human Services, Labor and Veterans
* 05/21/04 - Friday  9:00 AM to 12 noon
Who: Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health, Human Services, Labor and Veterans
* 05/22/04 - Saturday 9:00 AM to 12 noon  [note if held, this would likely be the last hearing of the subcommittee #3]
Who: Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health, Human Services, Labor and Veterans

NEXT STEPS
* Budget Hearings: Final round of budget hearings where general public testimony will be allowed on Governor's budget proposals continue through end of April (and for certain issues, the first week of May).  Hearings continue  in mid-May  by the budget subcommittees in both houses, though public testimony will not be allowed except for new proposals or issues. The subcommittees will take action on budget issues - and refer them to the full budget committees of both houses.
* Governor - will release sometime during week of May 10th (likely at this point, May 14, Friday) major revisions to his proposed budget (the original version was submitted to the Legislature on January 9) reflecting changes in state spending and revenues - and also any additional proposals to cut spending or rescind or change  previously proposed cuts.
* Full Budget Committees: both houses will hold at least one hearing (no public testimony) after the final subcommittee hearings to approve their actions and forward for initial approval by both houses (late May or early June)
* Budget Joint Committee (conference committee): after the full Senate and Assembly pass their initial version  of budget (late May or early June), the differences between the two versions go to a special joint budget committee (called a conference committee) composed of three members of the Senate and three from the Assembly to hammer out agreement.  While those hearings are public, no public testimony is allowed.  At some point - in early June (before June 15), the conference committee will forward its actions for approval by both houses.
* Senate and Assembly - unless there is a major impasse (as there has been for the past several years), both houses are required by the State Constitution to pass a final budget on or before June 15 in order to give the governor time to review and approve a budget on or before June 30 (the last day of the state budget year).  If there is an impasse will largely depend on what the Governor's budget revisions in May look like.
* Governor - will review, make line item vetoes and approve budget.  Budget goes into effect July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CA DISABILITY COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK
* Urgent!  Contributions Needed to Continue Effort - Thanks Again!
As  of 4/23/04, many many, thanks again,  to the friends, people with disabilities and their families, community organizations and others who have sent in generous and needed contributions and donations.  As mentioned before, individual thank you letters are now being sent out (due to workload have been delayed!). However, until grant funding is finalized, contributions from people and organizations is still very urgently needed to keep the advocacy efforts going for the next several months. Please make check or money order  to:  California Disability Community Action Network  (or abbreviate CDCAN). CDCAN is not yet a non-profit organization (work on this will have this happen in within the next few months) Send contributions to: California Disability Community Action Network,  1225 8th Street Suite #480, Sacramento, CA  95814.  A method to contribute by credit card (through Paypal) is NOW set up on our website, at www.cdcan.org.
* Who Is CDCAN?
The California Disability Community Action Network is a non-partisan link to thousands of Californians with developmental and other disabilities, their families, community organizations and providers, direct care and other workers, and other advocates. These action alerts and news reports is for all of them. In addition it also goes to news organizations, state and local government officials and staff.
* How To Receive CDCAN Capitol News Reports and Alerts
If you would like to get on this distribution (and conversely, get off of it) please send an email with that  request to:  martyomoto@rcip.com OR sign up via the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.org.  Sharing information is part of our organizing effort. Please feel free to forward or copy  this (attribution is nice). We're all in this together!
* How To Contact CDCAN
Marty Omoto, director/organizer  -  California Disability Community Action Network
1225 8th Street Suite 480 Sacramento, CA 95814   VOICE PHONE: 916/446-0013
FAX number: 916/446-0026        email: martyomoto@rcip.com
INFO HOTLINE TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-877-260-0267 (cannot leave messages)
SAME INFO HOTLINE FOR SACRAMENTO AREA:  486-4652                  WEBSITE: www.cdcan.org

UNIFIED ACTION ALERT:
"We are here, we are united - and we will not go away!" - Justin Dart
STANDING FOR THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AND SENIORS!

* APRIL 26 MONDAY
RALLY FOR RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES/SENIORS (NO march on this day)
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
North Steps - State Capitol
3rd major rally and media event is being held to coincide with 4:00 PM Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing on major proposed cuts to community-based services for children and adults with developmental disabilities that some say could mean rollback of rights under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, the "civil rights" act for people with developmental disabilities.
The band, Tu Tones (people with disabilities) will perform.
Priority: VERY CRITICAL!

* APRIL 28 WEDNESDAY
MARCH AND RALLY FOR RIGHTS OF CHILDREN & ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES/SENIORS
11:00 AM - Gather outside Sacramento Convention Center (13th and K Street Mall) and march to Capitol
11:45 AM - Rally at State Capitol - SOUTH Steps
4th major rally (AND march) is being held to coincide with Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing at 1:30 PM on Governor's massive proposed cuts to in-home services for children and adults with developmental and other disabilities and seniors [note: Department of Aging programs will also be heard]
The band, Tu Tones (people with disabilities) will perform.
Priority: VERY CRITICAL!

WHY AND WHO SHOULD GO
* Though the Governor rescinded his proposal to eliminate the "residual program" of In-Home Supportive Services - the program that allows parents of minor children with disabilities or spouses of loved ones with disabilities (or elderly) to be the in-home care  provider, that is contingent on approval by the federal government for special funding to offset some of the state money used to pay for the program. And the Governor did not rescind the other massive cuts to in-home services or other cuts to services and supports for people with developmental and other disabilities. Advocates have vowed to continue to fight until all the cuts are rescinded and the rights of children and adults with disabilities (and seniors) are protected.
* The Governor is still proposing major cuts to the community-based system funded through regional centers that serve children and adults with developmental disabilities, including proposed statewide standards that advocates say will limit funding and services and rollback basic rights under the Lanterman Developmental Services Act - the civil rights act for people with developmental disabilities.  The Assembly Budget Subcommittee may consider possible amendments to substantially change or limit what the Schwarzenegger Administration is proposing.   Other major issues include parental/family share of cost plans, and a $110 million reduction in funding for community-based services.
* The Governor's proposals have the impact of threatening the rights of people with disabilities - so a large crowd is needed to show that California is watching - and will not let it happen. THESE hearings are the last opportunity for public testimony and can help influence the Governor's May Revise.
* The hearings next week comes after a major hearings on the same issues at the State Capitol  by the Senate Budget
Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services on April 19 and April 22   A series of four major protest rallies (and two marches) were organized to coincide with the four major hearings on issues impacting people with developmental and other disabilities.  The first major rally was held on April 19, with over 600 people, who  rallied and marched to the Capitol, to attend budget hearing by the Senate on cuts to developmental services. A large protest rally of over 1,000 people coincided with the hearing, packing hearing rooms. [See CDCAN Capitol News Report #68-2004 for full details on that rally and hearing].  Earlier, on Saturday, April 17, a rally to raise autism awareness was held on the North Steps of the State Capitol, that was linked to the rallies and marches organized on April 19, 22, 26 and 28.  The Governor's proposed cuts to people with disabilities will have a tremendous impact for thousands of families who have children with autism.

SAVE THE DATE - DIRECT ACTION FOR MAY REVISE
* WEEK OF MAY 10th - LIKELY MAY 14 - Save the date for simultaneous press conferences and demonstrations across California (targeting over 40-50 cities) at the SAME time the Governor releases his revisions to his proposed budget for 2004-2005, as a response to any additional or continued proposed cuts that impact children and adults with disabilities and seniors.

NEXT STEPS
* The hearings in April will be the last major opportunity
Details of the Governor's reversal on the IHSS Residual Program was made public at the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 hearing Thursday morning (April 22) and will also be at the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 scheduled for April 28, Wednesday.
* Governor is scheduled to release his revisions to the 2004-05 proposed budget during the week of May 10 - with May 14 the likely date at this time.  The Governor's revisions - referred to as "the May Revise" is considered a major event every budget year because it contains updated financial figures and assumptions that could result in more cuts, or rescinding reductions and perhaps even hinting or proposing possible revenue enhancements (tax increases).
* Both the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 and the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 will hold hearings in early and mid May to take final actions on many of the budget issues, though most of the controversial issues are likely to be decided in a special joint budget committee (conference committee).

URGENT - CONTRIBUTIONS NEEDED TO CONTINUE EFFORT - THANKS AGAIN!
As  of 4/23/04, many many, thanks again,  to the friends, people with disabilities and their families, community organizations and others who have sent in generous and needed contributions and donations.  As mentioned before, individual thank you letters are now being sent out (due to workload have been delayed!). However, until grant funding is finalized, contributions from people and organizations is still very urgently needed to keep the advocacy efforts going for the next several months. Please make check or money order  to:  California Disability Community Action Network  (or abbreviate CDCAN). CDCAN is not yet a non-profit organization (work on this will have this happen in within the next few months) Send contributions to: California Disability Community Action Network,  1225 8th Street Suite #480, Sacramento, CA  95814.  A method to contribute by credit card (through Paypal) is NOW set up on our website, at www.cdcan.org .