CA DISABILITY COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK
CAPITOL NEWS REPORT - ISSUE #150-2004
AUGUST 26, 2004 - Early Thursday morning
Linking people to disability rights and unified action
Website IS BACK UP! New location:  www.cdcan.us     Toll-free info Lines Up
Note: Virus Alert - Beware of Attachments! There is NEVER any attachment to CDCAN Reports.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - Addedum
* Senator Chebsro's SB 1365 "Olmstead Bill" Passes Final Vote In Senate
* Heads To Governor - Adminstration Remains Opposed
* Advocates Vow Campaign For Governor To Sign Bill

SACRAMENTO   -  Legislation that would establish in state law an advisory council to help bring California in compliance with the 1999 US Supreme Court Olmstead Decision passed its final vote in the legislature Wednesday (8/25), with the State Senate approving the amendments made in the Assembly, on a bi-partisan vote of 28 to 8.  The bill, SB 1365 by Sen. Wes Chesbro (D-Arcata), now heads to the Governor for consideration, who has until September 30 to sign or veto the measure (he can also allow the bill to become law without his signature).

The Schwarzenegger Administration earlier indicated it would oppose any version of the bill, and the Governor is likely to veto the measure.  Advocates meanwhile have vowed to launch a major campaign to urge Governor Schwarzenegger to sign the bill, as a step toward bringing the state in compliance with the US Supreme Court ruling.  Some advocates have criticized the State for lagging behind in fully implementing the Supreme Court decision - a delay that they say violates the rights of people with disabilities and seniors.

The bill passed the Assembly earlier this week by a vote of 51-27.

The legislation establishes in statute the "Olmstead Advisory Council", and provides that the council shall  provide advice and make recommendations to the California Health and Human Services Agency for the placement of individuals in non-institutional settings.  Amendments in the Assembly added an additional task to the Olmstead Council, requiring the body toto review options for expanding or modifying  the state Medicaid plan or waivers to address barriers to  persons moving from or avoiding placement in institutional settings.
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CA DISABILITY COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK
URGENT - CONTRIBUTIONS NEEDED TO CONTINUE EFFORT
Please help continue the effort! 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.  Contributions from people and organizations is  very urgently needed to keep the advocacy efforts going for the next several months, as we work to establish non-profit status, which we can focus after the budget is signed.  Apologies to anyone who have not yet received a thank you - email, letters, calls have been overwhelming!
Please make check or money order  to:  California Disability Community Action Network  (or abbreviate CDCAN).  A method to contribute by credit card (through Paypal) is NOW set up on our website, at www.cdcan.org.   CDCAN is not yet a non-profit organization but will be soon.  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.us   [NOTE the NEW website address!)
* 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 NEW CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us  - the site at the NEW location is UP! 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   WEBSITE:  www.cdcan.us  [new address]
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