Today the House passed Senate Bill 208: People First. The vote was 114 Yes to 2 No votes. The two dissenting votes were cast by Representative Cleveland and Representative Brown.
This bill will now move back to the Senate for concurrence.
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Arc of NC: Legislative Victories!
Legislative Victory!
During this difficult budget crisis, we thought we would share some recent legislative victories that will positively affect people with developmental disabilities.
None of these victories would have been possible without the dedication of advocates across the state. We congratulate you are your work and your quick responses to our action alerts!
Here are the victories:
House Bill 672/Session Law 2009-191: Accountability for State Funding MH/DD/SA
On Friday, June 26th, Governor Bev Perdue signed House Bill 672 into law. This important legislation requires LMEs that use single stream funding on a bi-annual basis to report on the allocation of services dollars and receive public comment during a regularly scheduled board of directors meeting. The bill also provides protection to state dollars used to secure HUD funding for group homes and apartments. The last section of the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Service to analyze the effectives of single stream funding and report back to the General Assembly.
House Bill 673/Session Law 2009-186: Support for Developmental Disability Services
On Friday June 26, 2009 Governor Bev Perdue also signed into law House Bill 673: Support for Developmental Disability Services. This bill will re-establish the waiting list for people with developmental disabilities.
This bill included many of the recommendations from the Institute of Medicine Study on Developmental Disabilities. The bill will re-establish a standardized waiting list for people with developmental disabilities who are seeking services.
The waiting list will collect data for people with developmental disabilities who may qualify for the following targeted services
a. Waiting for residential services.
b. Potentially eligible for CAP-MRDD.
c. In need of other State-funded services and supports for people with developmental disabilities.
The creation of this statewide waiting list does not create an entitlement to services for people on the waiting list.
This legislation also adjusts the reauthorization of person center plans for people with developmental disabilities to quarterly, semi-annually, or annually depending on the services that they are currently receiving. In addition the bill permits the Division of MH/DD/SA to begin the process of combining existing service definition to provide more flexibility with the new Tier 1 CAP/MR-DD waiver.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Action Alert: People First Bill Scheduled for House Vote! Call Your Representative Monday!!
Action Alert: Take Action Today.
Call Your North Carolina General Assembly Representative Today! Tell them to vote YES for the Senate Bill 208: People First.
Update:
On Thursday, June 25, 2009 Senate Bill 208: People First passed the House Health Committee. The full House will vote on this bill Monday, June 29, 2009.
We need you to call your Representative Monday, June 29th!! Tell Them To Vote Yes for Senate Bill 208: People First!
Background What the Bill Does:
This bill directs the Legislative Services Office to incorporate into its drafting training of legislative drafters the preference to avoid language that implies that a person as a whole is disabled, equates a person with his or her condition, or is regarded as derogatory or demeaning.
To avoid any unintended consequences of altering existing legislation or creating legislation that would be in conflict with existing legislation; this bill will direct the General Statues Commission to recommend to the 2010 reconvened session of the General Assembly and to the 2011 Regular Session of the General Assembly any statutory changes and drafting policies needed to make the General Statutes and administrative rules refer to a person with a disability as a person first.
Legislation similar to this bill have been passed in New York, Nevada, District of Columbia, Florida, Louisiana, and Minnesota. Several additional states have removed the term “mental retardation” from their Department and Division names.
Call Your Representative! Tell Them:
Tell Your Representative:
* This legislation was brought to the General Assembly by the Association of Self Advocates North Carolina, a non profit organization supports the concepts of self-advocacy together with self-determination of its members to help people with developmental disabilities take responsibility for their lives, and bring about change towards full inclusion in society.
* Words have power and inaccurate descriptors such as “handicapped” or “mentally retarded” can perpetuate negative stereotypes and create societal and attitudinal barriers.
* People First Language puts the person before the disability. People First Language describes what a person has, not who a person is.
* Using People First Language is the first step toward breaking down the negative stereotypes and social barriers that exist in our nation. This bill is an important first step toward recognizing in our state legislation the inherent worth and contributions of our states 1.8 million North Carolinians with disabilities.
* That this legislation will become the model bill for states trying to address changes in drafting legislation using People First language.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Dispatch from Jones St: Thursday Budget Update
HHS Appropriation conferees are meeting right now with the full appropriation chairs. They are presenting their full budget. This meeting is closed to the public, however it may mean that they are almost ready to roll out the HHS conference report.
Once we hear what will happen next we will report it here.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Dispatch from Jones St: People First Update
Tomorrow the House Health Committee will hear SB 208: People First bill. This is the last committee meeting for this bill before it heads to the House floor. We will update with more information and an Action Alert after the meeting.
House Health-Room 544- 12 noon.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Dispatch from Jones St: HHS Budget Update
The House and Senate conferrees met today in an open meeting to inform the public of where they are in budget negotiations. Many of the items in dispute are starting to be sort out but as of now there is nothing concrete to report. What we can report as not in flux is that the Senate passed a Continuing Resolution today that would keep state government running past June 30th at 85% of its current budget level.
SB 311, the Continuing Resolution bill is not on the House calendar for tomorrow. We will keep you updated as information becomes available.
Dispatch from Jones St: Victory!!! School Violence Prevention Act Goes to Governor
Today the House passed Senate Bill 526: School Violence Prevention Act with a vote of 58 Yes and 57 No.
The passage of this bill was hard fought! Included in the controversial enumerations were children with disabilities, children with developmental disabilities, and children with sensory disabilities. Advocates across the state joined in the fight to protect our children and your voices were heard!
Today this strong bullying legislation passed the House and will be presented to the Governor for her signature.
This victory would not have been possible without the help of parents, students with disabilities, young leaders with disabilities and the larger coalition that supported and worked tirelessly to make this happen!
Congratulations to you all!
Dispatch from Jones St: HHS Appropriation Conferees Call Meeting
The HHS Appropriation Conference committee will meet today 15 minutes after session in room 425 of the Legislative Office Building. This meeting will be open to the public.
Dispatch from Jones St: Bullying Bill Update
Last evening the School Violence Prevention Act passed the House on second reading with a vote of 59 Yes and 57 Nayes.
Today the bill will be up for third reading. We still need your help! Continue to call your Representative and tell them how important this bill is for the disability community.
Monday, June 22, 2009
TAKE ACTION: CALL YOUR NC HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE TODAY!!!
Today is the day the School Violence Prevention bill is scheduled for a House floor vote!!! We need you to Take Action NOW!!!
Action Alert: School Violence Prevention Act-Senate Bill 526
June 22, 2009
Today the School Violence Prevention Act will be on the House floor for a vote.
Now is the time to contact your General Assembly House Representative and tell them that you support this bill as it is written.
The bill establishes clear definitions of bullying and harassment and requires each public school district to adopt policies and procedures for dealing with incidents when they occur. The bill includes an enumerated list of categories/characteristics that, real or perceived, have been statistically shown to make students, teachers and staff more likely targets of school violence, including verbal, social and emotional bullying as well as physical harassment, threats, beatings, etc. Public support for the bill continues to be strong; polls are showing 69% of those surveyed support the bill as filed. In both polls, majorities in every category supported the bill, including self-identified Republicans, conservatives and those who live in rural areas and small towns across the state.
Here is a brief message from one of North Carolina’s youth leaders:
“Being a person living a life with a disability can be difficult especially if the disability is visible. A person who does not walk straight or does not speak clearly is a target for bullies in the education system. As a student in their junior year of high school, people would think there would be an understanding and the teasing would decease but that is not the situation.”
TAKE ACTION: Your General Assembly House Representative needs to hear from you TODAY!
ACTION TO BE TAKEN:
EMAIL or CALL your Representative NOW.
TELL THEM:
Vote YES for the bill! Vote NO for all amendments!!!
Call/Email your own General Assembly House Representative and tell them to vote for the bill and against any amendments that would strip it of the protections it extends to those most vulnerable students, and share with them the reason you support the bill; personal stories are incredibly powerful. Remember, constituent calls are the most effective way of influencing a lawmaker's stance on an issue, so please call and, if the House Representative is not available, leave a message with your name and contact number, and be sure to tell their assistant that you are a constituent and support Senate Bill 526/House Bill 548.
TELL THEM:
* SB 526 enumerates protected categories to protect children most vulnerable to bullying and harassment. This legislation addresses the needs of students with disabilities.
* To SUPPORT the bill with the enumeration that is currently in this important legislation.
* Seventy-eight students with disabilities, who gathered in Raleigh during the summer of 2006, discussed their experiences dealing with bullying and harassment while attending school. These young leaders recognized the importance of creating legislation that would create a protected category for students with disabilities.
* This legislation will support students with disabilities by utilizing the protected categories as a self-advocacy tool. Students with disabilities will be able to look to this legislation as their right to be protected from bullying and harassment.
* Enumeration of protected categories is a clear sign that all students, regardless of differences in characteristics, appearance, or ability are valued and deserve protection.
EMAIL LETTER:
Subject: Vote for SB 526
Dear [write in your Representative name here],
I understand that SB 526, the School Violence Prevention Act, is up for a vote today.
I've seen the impact bullying has on young people. This bill will make a real difference in making our kids safer.
I urge you to vote for SB 526.
Those who oppose this bill are making a lot of claims about it. The fact is, this is about making all children safer--nothing more, nothing less.
Don't know who represents you/need contact info? Click here: http://ncleg.net/GIS/RandR07/Representation.html
Monday Quick Hits: Hot Policy Topics for This Week
This week will be a busy one at the North Carolina General Assembly. First we will continue to see the budget negotiated by numerous conferree committees. We will also see the House vote on the Bullying Bill and the House Health committee vote on the People First bill.
Here is your run down on this weeks meetings:
Tuesday, June 23
11:00 a.m. House Committee On Education, 643 LOB
HB 687 (Stam) TAX CREDITS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
12:00 noon House Committee On Health, 544 LOB
HB 823 (Glazier) LIMIT TOXIC FLAME RETARDANTS CONTAINING PBDES
SB 208 (Dorsett) PEOPLE FIRST
Wednesday, June 24
11:00 a.m. Senate Committee On Health Care, 544 LOB
HB 243 (Insko) MENTAL HEALTH/LAW ENFORCEMENT CUSTODY
HB 456 (Earle) TECH. & ORG. CHANGES/CERTAIN DHHS FACILITIES
HB 535 (Insko) HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE/LYMPHEDEMA
HB 1187 (Alexander, M.) DHHS TECHNICAL CHANGES/HEALTH CARE PERSONNEL
HB 1189 (Alexander, M.) DHHS/TRACKING OUTPATIENT COMMITMENTS.-AB
Dispatch from Jones St: Budget Update HHS
The HHS Appropriation Conferees are continuing their work on the budget. As of Friday, June 19, 2009 there were a few agreements between the House and Senate conferees but not a lot of consensus on issues such as SCHIP, provider rates or case management.
The Senate and House conferees adjourned for the weekend with no final plan for the HHS appropriation budget. We are hearing that today there may be a meeting of this committee. We will have more details when they become available.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Dispatch from Jones St: The Budget Still Under Negotiations
Leaders from the House and Senate continued to work into the evening last night on the Health and Human Services budget. Many of the line items in the Medicaid budget were still under discussion by the time they broke at 10:45pm.
At the same time, the conferees for the Finance/Revenue package are still debating what the final numbers will be. If you have been following along at home, and we know you have been, the Senate never presented a finance package when they presented their budget. Don't let that fool you, there was a package.
The House did present their package and it raised $784 million in new taxes. This restored some of the cuts but did not restore all the needed services for people being served by the division of MH/DD/SAS.
The Governor did request that lawmakers look to raise a total revenue package of $1.5 billion.
This is a very fluid process and we will keep you updated as changes develop. The HHS conferees will begin again today at 9:30am in room 415 of the Legislative Office Building.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Dispatch from Jones St: HB 672 Accountability for State Funding MH/DD/SAS Update
Today House Bill 672: Accountability for State Funding MH/DD/SAS passed the Senate Health Committee today with a favorable report and will be heading to the Senate floor.
Here is what HB 672 does:
-This bill has the support of advocates, providers, the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services and LMEs.
-The second section focuses on HUD group homes and apartments. The General Assembly appropriates state funding to group homes to be used in conjunction with federal HUD funding. After the biennial this funding can be moved. However, in some cases the removal of our state funding to these group homes and apartments can jeopardized our agreement with the federal matching money and the HUD contracts.
This section of the bill will require LMEs to seek approval for the reduction in funding from the Department of Health and Human Services prior to adjusting any funding associated with HUD group homes or apartments.
-The final section of this bill will direct the Department of Health and Human Services to analyze the effectiveness of single stream funding in LMEs that have been working with single stream for a year or more. These findings will be reported to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services as well as the Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee in the House and Senate.
We appreciate all the hard work of advocates who have emailed and called their legislators in support of this legislation!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Dispatch from Jones St: People First Update
What an amazing day today has been for disability rights advocates! This morning the School Violence Prevention Act made it out of its final committee and is headed for the House floor and this afternoon SB208 People First bill made it out of the House State Government committee and may also be headed for the House floor!!!
Congratulations to everyone who has worked so very hard on these bills. We need you to make your voices heard over the next day by calling your Representatives and asking them to support both of these bills.
Dispatch from Jones St: HB673 Is on the Way to Governor Perdue
Congratulations advocates! Today HB 673: Support for Developmental Disability Services passed it concurrence vote 112 Yes to 0 Nayes and is on its way to Governor Bev Perdue!
Here is what the bill will do for people with developmental disabilities:
-HB 673 includes many of the recommendations from the Institute of Medicine Study on Developmental Disabilities. The Institute of Medicine Study on Developmental Disabilities was legislated by the General Assembly during the 2008 short session.
The waiting list will collect data for people with developmental disabilities who may qualify for the following targeted services
a. Waiting for residential services.
b. Potentially eligible for CAP-MRDD.
c. In need of other State-funded services and supports for people with developmental disabilities.
-This bill directs the Secretary of DHHS to develop and adopt rules governing a statewide data system that will be used to for statewide planning.
-The creation of the statewide waiting list data system does not create an entitlement to services for people on the waiting list.
-This legislation also adjusts the reauthorizing person center plans for people with developmental disabilities to quarterly, semi-annually, or annually depending on the services that they are currently receiving.
-The combining of existing services definitions permits for more flexibility with the new Tier 1 CAP/MR-DD waiver in addressing the needs of people with developmental disabilities.
The Arc of North Carolina extends our thanks to all of our bill sponsors, especially Representative Beverly Earle who was the bills champion.
Dispatch from Jones St: School Violence Prevention Act Passes House Judiciary Committee
The School Violence Prevention Act passed the House Judiciary 1 Committee today with a vote of 9 in favor to 5 opposed. This important legislation will now move to the House floor for a full vote.
Take Action Now..call your House Representative and tell them to vote YES for this bill and NO for all amendments. Please see action alert for more information.
TAKE ACTION: CALL YOUR NC HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE TODAY!!!
Action Alert: School Violence Prevention Act-Senate Bill 526
June 16, 2009
Today the School Violence Prevention Act will be heard House Judiciary 1Committee.
Now is the time to contact your General Assembly House Representative and tell them that you support this bill as it is written.
The bill establishes clear definitions of bullying and harassment and requires each public school district to adopt policies and procedures for dealing with incidents when they occur. The bill includes an enumerated list of categories/characteristics that, real or perceived, have been statistically shown to make students, teachers and staff more likely targets of school violence, including verbal, social and emotional bullying as well as physical harassment, threats, beatings, etc. Public support for the bill continues to be strong; polls are showing 69% of those surveyed support the bill as filed. In both polls, majorities in every category supported the bill, including self-identified Republicans, conservatives and those who live in rural areas and small towns across the state.
Here is a brief message from one of North Carolina’s youth leaders:
“Being a person living a life with a disability can be difficult especially if the disability is visible. A person who does not walk straight or does not speak clearly is a target for bullies in the education system. As a student in their junior year of high school, people would think there would be an understanding and the teasing would decease but that is not the situation.”
TAKE ACTION: Your General Assembly House Representative needs to hear from you TODAY!
ACTION TO BE TAKEN:
EMAIL or CALL your Representative NOW.
TELL THEM:
Vote YES for the bill! Vote NO for all amendments!!!
Call/Email your own General Assembly House Representative and tell them to vote for the bill and against any amendments that would strip it of the protections it extends to those most vulnerable students, and share with them the reason you support the bill; personal stories are incredibly powerful. Remember, constituent calls are the most effective way of influencing a lawmaker's stance on an issue, so please call and, if the House Representative is not available, leave a message with your name and contact number, and be sure to tell their assistant that you are a constituent and support Senate Bill 526/House Bill 548.
TELL THEM:
* SB 526 enumerates protected categories to protect children most vulnerable to bullying and harassment. This legislation addresses the needs of students with disabilities.
* SB 526 enumerates protected categories to protect children most vulnerable to bullying and harassment. This legislation addresses the needs of students with disabilities.
* To SUPPORT the bill with the enumeration that is currently in this important legislation.
* Seventy-eight students with disabilities, who gathered in Raleigh during the summer of 2006, discussed their experiences dealing with bullying and harassment while attending school. These young leaders recognized the importance of creating legislation that would create a protected category for students with disabilities.
* This legislation will support students with disabilities by utilizing the protected categories as a self-advocacy tool. Students with disabilities will be able to look to this legislation as their right to be protected from bullying and harassment.
* Enumeration of protected categories is a clear sign that all students, regardless of differences in characteristics, appearance, or ability are valued and deserve protection.
Don't know who represents you/need contact info? Click here: http://ncleg.net/GIS/RandR07/Representation.html
Don't know who represents you/need contact info? Click here: http://ncleg.net/GIS/RandR07/Representation.html
Dispatch from Jones St: Busy Policy Week at the General Assembly
This week many of the bills that The Arc of North Carolina have been actively supporting will be either in committees or on the floor of the House. Here is a brief run down of what is happening:
Tuesday, June 16th:
Bullying Bill:
House J1 will hear the School Violence Prevention Act. This bill is in its final committee hearing. If it passes J1 it will go to the House floor for a full vote. You can help make this happen by making a phone call or email today. An Action Alert will be posted soon on this blog.
People First:
Also on Tuesday, June 16th the People First Bill will be in House State Government at 2pm. This bill passed the Senate (48 Yes and 0 Nayes) and had strong bi-partisan support.
Support Services for Developmental Disability Services-Wait List Bill:
Again today we will see the House vote on concurrence with the Senate on HB673. This is the last stop for this bill. This legislation will re-establish a wait list for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. We expect the Governor to sign this legislation.
State Accountability Bill:
On Wednesday, June 17th this bill will be in the Senate Health Committee. This will be the last committee hearing on this bill before heading to the Senate floor.
Lots happening and we will keep you updated during the week on the progress of these important bills.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
NCGA News Update: WRAL Reports on the Budget
Here is a good link to the budget situation. Thanks to WRAL.
Dispatch from Jones St: House Budget Update Finance Committee
The House Finance Committee has recessed for House Caucus. We are expecting the House Finance Committee to start up again around 7pm this evening and we are expecting several amendments and possible changes to the revenue package that passed last night.
We will update as we are able.
Also...we are hearing that the House Appropriation bill will be on the floor this evening for its first reading.
Dispatch from Jones St: House Budget Update This Evening
Last night at 11:00 the House Appropriations committee passed it\'s version of the budget with out new revenue. Earlier in the evening the Finance Committee passed a revenue package with slightly less than 800 million dollars in tax increases.
Today the Appropriations subcommittee restored some of the worst cuts in MHDDSA and Medicaid but know it doesn’t go far enough. Your calls are still important for the House process. Please keep them coming. The legislative process still has a long way to go including a conference with the Senate so although this is not the outcome we want we are making progress. Our voice is the only thing that will change this. Look for updates on the budget and actions needed. If you have questions please feel free to call the office 800-662-8706 and ask to speak with Dave, Ellen or Linda. Keep up the good work.
Wednesday June 10, 2009 4:00pm
Some good news. But a long way to go. Here is what was voted on in the House today.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
LME System Management Funds 4M Restored
CAP MR DD State Supplement 8M Restored
MHDDSA State Funded Services full 50M Restored
Provider Rate Cuts was 5.5 percent cut now 3.3 percent cut
Voc Rehab Case Services fully Restored
Voc Rehab Funds for Independent Living fully Restored
PT and OT and Speech and Medicaid Funding fully Restored
Orthotics and Prosthetics Coverage fully Restored
Adult Optical fully Restored
Dental and Medicaid Coverage fully Restored
Dental Policy Adjustments !
fully Restored
In Home Personal Care was cut 49M now 34M cut
EDUCATION FUNDING
Restored for Fiscal Year 09, 2010 355,000,000
Restored for Fiscal Year 10, 2011 416,000,000
At Risk Student Services Fully Restored
Low Wealth Supplemental Funding Fully Restored
Instructional Support Fully Restored
K to 3 Class Size Restored to 08 09 school yr level
The Finance Committee will continue to work on the Revenue package, so keep on Making Calls.
Dispatch from Jones St: House HHS Appropriation Subcommittee Meeting Today
We are currently sitting in room 643 of the LOB waiting for the House HHS Appropriation Subcommittee to get started with its work on the new target numbers. These targets are based on if the revenue package gets rolled into the budget.
Dispatch from Jones St: House Budget Progress Update
The House budget made some more forward progress today by getting a favorable report from House Pensions and we are waiting to hear when the House Finance committee will meet. The members need to roll the finance bill into the appropriations bill. Normally, the House would then move the budget to floor but we are seeing a slight delay in the political process right now.
Just a quick civics lesson: this budget is a long way from finished. The House and Senate will have very different bills and there will need to be a conference committee seated to negotiate those difference. We are in for a long fight and your voices will be needed every step of the way.
You are being heard so keep up the great work!
Here is what we need you to continue to do: We need you to keep up your phone calls and emails and we need you to keep telling your stories.
We will being posting more information as we go through the day so keep checking in.
How Do These Budget Cuts Affect Real Lives
The House proposed budget cuts will devastate our community health system. Here is a video that gives personal testimony about how these cuts will harm people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Dispatch from Jones St:House Appropriation Committee Has Recessed
House Appropriation Committee has recessed until after session. There are sixty four amendments that will be heard today. However, just a quick reminder there is still no revenue package.
Dispatch from Jones St: House Appropriation and House Finance Back to Work
House Appropriation and House Finance are back to work.
Appropriations is still working through the budget and special provisions for each subcommittee and Finance is still debating a revenue package.
Dispatch from Jones St:House Budget Update-HHS Budget is Up Now
The co-chairs of the House HHS Subcommittee are presenting their budget right now.
Dispatch from Jones St:House Finance Committee Update
Quick report on the House Finance Committee process-the revenue bill is HB1588. It is not on line yet but should be at some point today. This revenue bill would raise $940 million in new revenue.
If this happens here is the information on how the new revenue would be cover some budget cuts in Education and HHS.
Education:
Restoration reserve would be directed as follows-$352 million (FY09-10) and $397.9 (FY10-11)
Funds would be directed to:
-Public School Teachers in the Classroom K-3
-Funds for At-Risk children and Low Wealth Supplemental Funding
-Community College Tuition Waivers
-Community College Equipment ($10 million dollars)
-University Personnel
-Instructional Support Personnel and School Building Administrators
Health and Human Services:
Restoration reserve would be directed as follows-$288 million (FY09-10) and $309.7 million (FY10-11)
Funds would be directed to:
-Medicaid and Services such as Physical and Occupational Therapy
-Various Provider Rates
-Mental Health Services to Communities
-Smart Start
-Personal Care Services
-Dental Services-Adult and Child Oral Health
If you are trying to locate HB1588 on the NC General Assembly Website you will find a bill with very different information in it. The revenue bill has not yet passed the Finance Committee and so the bill language has not yet been updated.
Dispatch from Jones St: Update House Full Appropriation Meets Now
The co-chairs of the Education Subcommittee for the House are continuing to review their committee report with the full appropriations committee.
Meanwhile..House Finance is still working on the revenue bill and apparently there are some objections to the increased tax beer and the highest income tax bracket.
Dispatch from Jones St: House Full Appropriation Meets Now
The House full appropriation committee meets today in room 643 this morning at 8:30am. The House will be running a series of amendments.
Yesterday the House Democratic Caucus met to discuss a revenue package that would include a 1/4 cent sales tax, adjustments to personal income tax, and sin taxes. The current package raises $940 million dollars in new revenue. This does not even begin to cover the state deficit but at least it is a start.
Monday, June 8, 2009
ACTION ALERT: TAKE ACTION TODAY!!!
Budget Cuts Proposed by House will Destroy North Carolina!
There is no way to overstate the dire nature of the proposed House budget cuts:
-People will die
-Tens of thousands of North Carolinians will lose their jobs
-Our education and human service system will be destroyed
On Thursday, June 4th, the House Appropriations Subcommittee forwarded “their recommendations” to the full Appropriations Committee. Their recommendations come with no vote or real support. Many House members now state publicly that a “revenue” (tax) package is needed to offset these cuts.
In Health and Human Services alone, the proposed cuts, when federal matching dollars are taken into account, will equal over three billion dollars!
These HHS cuts would most likely result in:
An actual reduction of services to people with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and substance abuse of close to one billion dollars
Homelessness
Family and individual crisis
Jeopardizing the health and safety of tens of thousands of people
Job losses for 50-90 thousand North Carolinians
In education, the cuts will:
Increase class size
Eliminate thousands of teaching positions, and most support services
We believe these cuts will end all inclusion programs and enhanced services for students with disabilities.
These cuts will destabilize our social service network with unintended consequences too horrific to imagine!
Action Needed!
Because of the huge public outcry last week, House members are beginning to think twice about their actions, but without continued calls, they will proceed with these cuts.
The week, we need you, your friends, family and neighbors to:
CALL THE CHAIRS OF THE FULL HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE.
House Appropriations Chairs:
Rep. Henry Michaux, Jr. 919.715.2528
Rep. Alma Adams 919.733.5902
Rep. Martha Alexander 919.733.5807
Rep. James Crawford, Jr. 919.733.5824
Rep. R. Phillip Haire 919.715.3005
Rep. Maggie Jeffus 919.733.5191
Rep. Joe Tolson 919.715.3024
Rep. Douglas Yongue 919.733.5821
Office of the Governor:
Gov. Bev Perdue 919.733.4240
The message is simple:
Stop these horrific cuts – raise taxes to avoid destroying North Carolina.
If you need talking points, a few things to mention:
Cutting Medicaid Personal Care by half forces people into institutions.
Cutting state funded developmental disability services eliminates crises and safety net services.
Eliminating PT/OT and ST for Medicaid is cruel and will result in wasted lives.
Freezing the CAP-MR/DD program destroys hope.
Not only do these cuts destroy our Human Service system, they also send the economy into a deeper recession because of job losses.
Act this week – your call will make a difference. Every single call makes a difference!
Check The Arc of North Carolina’s web page for additional talking points throughout the week. Go to www.arcnc.org
Come to Raleigh on June 17th to join others to lobby your legislators on these issues! More details will follow but for now hold that date.
Also be sure to go to The Arc of NC’s webpage and read the latest edition of The Arc Works! our electronic newsletter.
Thank you for your advocacy! Please make the calls. Every single call makes a difference.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Dispatch from Jones St: House HHS Appropriation Committee Update
Right now the House HHS Appropriation Subcommittee is debating the budget. This debate is being lead by the Republican members. Representative Barnhart and Representative Dollar are currently questioning how specific cuts are being handled.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Dispatch from Jones St: House HHS Appropriation Committee Update
The House HHS Appropriation Subcommittee will vote on their proposed budget immediately following the House session.
This budget will devastate community based health services. This budget will put real people at risk. It will cause significant and wide spread job loss in our state. This budget will put families in crisis.
We need you to continue making the calls and emails. They are working! Your stories and your concerns are being heard!
ACTION ALERT: CALL THESE HOUSE MEMBERS TODAY!
Action Needed! IMPORTANT UPDATE: Today Americans for Prosperity will hold their annual "anti-tax" rally at the General Assembly. We need to make sure that the members of the General Assembly continue to hear our message loud and clear! We can not cut our way out of this deficit!! The programs that are being cut help keep our families stable and our children healthy! These important programs employee thousands of people who will loose their jobs if this devastating budget passes the House HHS Appropriation subcommittee! Tell the members of the HHS Appropriation Subcommittee to vote NO! Tell them to raise taxes!!! We need you to make more calls!! Write more emails!!! Do it now!!!!
More Calls Needed!
June 3, 2009
If you called yesterday, call again today!
Budget Update 6/2/09
Today in the HHS budget subcommittee meeting, the Chairs proposed an additional 250 million dollars in cuts to meet the fiscal targets. The cuts were in two primary areas adding an additional 1.5% cut in rates for Medicaid providers and a 10 million dollar cut in Personal Care in Group Homes and rest homes. They also eliminate Medicaid funding for PT, OT and Speech therapy. These cuts continue the trend of cutting services to NC citizens and driving our state further into recession. Despite these additional cuts, we do know your calls are having an impact. In today’s meeting, several legislators did state they could not vote for a budget with this degree of cuts.
We need you to continue the calls that you are making to the leadership! For them the message that a tax increase is preferable to these cuts is critical.
For those of you who have a legislator on the HHS appropriations Subcommittee, we need to have calls to these members asking them to vote against these proposals and support a tax increase to offset these cuts! The members of the committee are listed below. These folks need calls from their community!
On Thursday the committee is scheduled to vote. It would be great if we had the room full of families and people with disabilities. If the committee is to vote yes on this, they need to see the people they will affect. The committee is scheduled to meet after session which we think will be around mid-day.
Subcommittee on Health and Human Services
Representative Verla Insko-Orange County
Phone: 919-733-7208
Verla.Insko@ncleg.net
Representative Beverly Earle-Mecklenburg County
Phone: 919-715-2530
Beverly.Earle@ncleg.net
Representative Bob England-Rutherford County
Phone: 919-733-5749
Bob.England@ncleg.net
Representative Jeff Barnhart-Cabarrus County
Phone: 919-715-2009
Jeff.Barnhart@ncleg.net
Representative William D. Brisson-Bladen and Cumberland County
Phone: 919-733-5772
William.Brisson@ncleg.net
Representative Justin Burr – Stanly County
Phone: 919-733-5908
Justin.Burr@ncleg.net
Representative Pearl Burris-Floyd –Gaston County
Phone: 919-715-2002
Pearl.Burris-Floyd@ncleg.net
Representative Nelson Dollar – Wake County
Phone: 919-715-0795
Nelson.Dollar@ncleg.net
Representative Wil Neumann – Gaston County
Phone: 919-733-5868
Wil.Neumann@ncleg.net
Representative Jean Farmer-Butterfield-Wilson County
Phone: 919-733-5898
Jean.Farmer-Butterfield@ncleg.net
Representative Randy Stewart
Phone: 919-733-5802
Randy.Stewart@ncleg.net
Dispatch from Jones St: Together NC Press Conference
Yesterday The Arc of North Carolina participated in the Together NC Press Conference. This coalition of over 80 no-profit organizations is calling for the Governor, Senate and House to propose a realistic and balanced revenue package that will protect the needed services for the most vulnerable in our state.
Here are a few news articles from that press conference:
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
ACTION ALERT: MORE CALLS NEEDED!!! TAKE ACTION NOW!
Action Needed!
More Calls Needed!
June 2, 2009
If you called yesterday, call again today!
Budget Update 6/2/09
Today in the HHS budget subcommittee meeting, the Chairs proposed an additional 250 million dollars in cuts to meet the fiscal targets. The cuts were in two primary areas adding an additional 1.5% cut in rates for Medicaid providers and a 10 million dollar cut in Personal Care in Group Homes and rest homes. They also eliminate Medicaid funding for PT, OT and Speech therapy. These cuts continue the trend of cutting services to NC citizens and driving our state further into recession. Despite these additional cuts, we do know your calls are having an impact. In today’s meeting, several legislators did state they could not vote for a budget with this degree of cuts.
We need you to continue the calls that you are making to the leadership! For them the message that a tax increase is preferable to these cuts is critical.
For those of you who have a legislator on the HHS appropriations Subcommittee, we need to have calls to these members asking them to vote against these proposals and support a tax increase to offset these cuts! The members of the committee are listed below. These folks need calls from their community!
On Thursday the committee is scheduled to vote. It would be great if we had the room full of families and people with disabilities. If the committee is to vote yes on this, they need to see the people they will affect. The committee is scheduled to meet after session which we think will be around mid-day.
Subcommittee on Health and Human Services
Representative Verla Insko-Orange County
Phone: 919-733-7208
Verla.Insko@ncleg.net
Representative Beverly Earle-Mecklenburg County
Phone: 919-715-2530
Beverly.Earle@ncleg.net
Representative Bob England-Rutherford County
Phone: 919-733-5749
Bob.England@ncleg.net
Representative Jeff Barnhart-Cabarrus County
Phone: 919-715-2009
Jeff.Barnhart@ncleg.net
Representative William D. Brisson-Bladen and Cumberland County
Phone: 919-733-5772
William.Brisson@ncleg.net
Representative Justin Burr – Stanly County
Phone: 919-733-5908
Justin.Burr@ncleg.net
Representative Pearl Burris-Floyd –Gaston County
Phone: 919-715-2002
Pearl.Burris-Floyd@ncleg.net
Representative Nelson Dollar – Wake County
Phone: 919-715-0795
Nelson.Dollar@ncleg.net
Representative Wil Neumann – Gaston County
Phone: 919-733-5868
Wil.Neumann@ncleg.net
Representative Jean Farmer-Butterfield-Wilson County
Phone: 919-733-5898
Jean.Farmer-Butterfield@ncleg.net
Representative Randy Stewart
Phone: 919-733-5802
Randy.Stewart@ncleg.net
Dispatch from Jones St: Update on House HHS Budget
The House HHS Appropriation Committee just wrapped up its morning meeting. There are additional cuts that have been made to the already devastating budget of last week.
Included in the new budget is the elimination of OT/PT/ and Speech Therapy, a major cut in the Medicaid Orthotics and Prosthetics Coverage, an increase of 1.5% in the provider rate reduction bringing that number to 5.5%, an additional reduction in the cuts to the continuation budget, an additional reduction in personal care services in adult care homes and the list goes on and on!
All of these cuts were made to come up with an additional $265 million in cuts.
This budget will devastate the health delivery system of North Carolina. This budget will put people lives at risk and families will be sent into crisis. Jobs will be lost and we will see our state move from a recession into a depression.
As advocates we can not let this budget be passed out of this committee. We will be sending out a new action alert soon. We will be asking you to step up the pressure on these committee members and we need you to respond quickly!!!!
Action Alert: Make Calls Today!!!
Action Needed!
Make 3 phone calls today!
June 2, 2009
WE NEED TO KEEP UP THE PRESSURE!!! MAKE THESE CALLS TODAY!!!
DO NOT WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO CALL; EVERY SINGLE PERSON HAS TO MAKE THESE CALLS! ACT NOW!!
The House Budget Threatens Our Lives
The House's proposed budget will destroy the economic fabric of our state. (If you would like to read the proposed budget go to our action alert page at: http://72.167.22.100/action_alert/index.shtml
Our service system will be set back 40 years. The House's proposed budget cuts to Health and Human Services and Medicaid will have a total impact of close to $3.5 billion.
The entire service system will be destroyed. Individuals and families will lose their services. It's not even a matter of trying to send people with developmental disabilities back to institutions - there won’t be institutions and there won't be community supports.
A few of the worst cuts are:
Reducing the budget for state-funded services by over $150,000,000
Cuts all Medicaid service rates by 4% causing salary reductions and layoffs
Cuts Medicaid Personal Care Services by over $50,000,000...reducing the services by over half. This is the only direct service other than case management that is a Medicaid entitlement for people with developmental disabilities
Eliminates continuation increases in Medicaid of over $500,000,000. This cut means serious reductions because any increases in CAP plans implemented during the last fiscal year will be eliminated
Cuts case management services by over $50,000,000 by "consolidation"
Eliminates the Medicaid service called Community Support which is the one Medicaid service that is designed to support people with mental illness in the community.
The House's budget will cause a depression in North Carolina. The massive reduction in jobs in health and human services and education, as well as in other areas, will result in a lower tax base, which in turn will necessitate further budget cuts and more losses in services. It’s a vicious, downward spiraling cycle.
THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW! We must all unite to fight the House's proposed budget, and we have no time to waste. The House may vote on the budget as early as June 8.
No one can afford to sit back and watch this budget debacle play out. The lives of people with disabilities, their families and the entire state of North Carolina depend on everyone getting involved. Don't think someone else will make the calls. YOU must make the calls!
The Arc of NC has a strategic advocacy plan. Today, tomorrow and Wednesday the leadership of the House must hear from you. We will send out an e-alert when it is time for the next steps, but today, you need to make three calls:
Speaker Hackney 919-733-3451
Majority Leader Holliman 919-715-0873
Minority Leader Stam 919-733-2962
Tell them:
The proposed cuts in HHS and education will destroy our state, risking the lives of people with disabilities, our children’s future, cost thousands of jobs and drive our state into a depression! Raise taxes in order to avoid this disaster! We hold the House accountable!
These representatives must receive thousands of phone calls in the next two days.
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