SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 09/01/2010 12:29 AM (Pacific Time)] - With the State budget crisis still unresolved with no agreement in sight to close the over $19 billion budget deficit, the State Senate and Assembly’s 2010 regular legislative session abruptly came to an end just after midnight, when the clock ran out on any bills that still needed final action. California is now 63 days without a State budget.
SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 08/31/2010 01:00 AM (Pacific Time)] - Final details are available for memorial services for Dale Sorbello, 60 years old, former chief deputy director of the Department of Developmental Services, who passed away Sunday evening (August 29) , and Professor Paul Longmore, 64 years old, a widely respected disability rights advocate, historian and author, who passed away of natural causes on August 9th (Monday).
Memorial services for Ron Brown, a longtime disability and housing advocate and past president of the Sacramento Paratransit Board of Directors, who passed away July 23rd, have not yet been announced – though could be in late September or October to allow family from Ohio to attend.
SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 08/30/2010 10:20 PM (Pacific Time)] - With California now entering its 62nd day without a State budget, and with no agreement in sight, the State Legislature has scheduled a largely symbolic vote Tuesday morning (August 31) on two widely different budget plans proposed by Legislative Democrats and the other containing the proposals made by Governor in January (as revised in May with some changes in recent weeks). The State budget year for 2010-2011 began officially on July 1, 2010.
SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 08/30/2010 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)] - Dale Sorbello, a long time highly regarded and respected state official and former chief deputy director of the Department of Developmental Services, died early Sunday evening (August 29) at a Sacramento hospital due to complications from a massive stroke. Sorbello, since his retirement from state service a few years ago, was doing private consulting work with the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA), and collapsed at their offices on Monday, August 16th. He was hospitalized in intensive care since that date until his death.
SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 08/24/2010 3:20 PM (Pacific Time)] - Alameda Superior Court Judge David Hunter issued an order yesterday (August 23) that stops the Schwarzenegger Administration from moving forward in implementing new policies that would prohibit a person with any felony convictions and certain misdemeanors from working as an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) worker (provider). [a pdf scanned copy of the 3 page order is attached titled “20100823-OrderGrantingPetitioners’ApplicationforProvisionalReliefbySuperior CourtJudgeHunter.pdf. Full text of order is reprinted below]
The judge indicated that the various appeals of his original order of March 2010, did not mean his order was delayed (stayed). The State, which in May filed papers to appeal the Judge’s earlier ruling, can ask for a delay of the Judge’s order from the State Court of Appeals – or failing that – to the California Supreme Court.
2010-08-18 - Protestors block L Street in front of State Capitol for three hoursSACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 08/18/2010 07:30 PM (Pacific Time)] - Sacramento City Police arrested, cited and then released 22 persons with disabilities, seniors, people with mental health needs, low income persons and other health and human services advocates who refused to stop a protest for a “fair budget” that blocked a major street in front of the State Capitol for over three hours this afternoon. [Photo above of protest blocking L Street in front of State Capitol including Mark Beckwith of Berkeley in the wheelchair in front of the effigy of Governor Schwarzenegger]
A ten foot paper mache effigy of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, which came from a earlier Berkeley month long encampment of disability, senior and mental health health advocates in downtown Berkeley called “Arnie-ville”, was the center piece of today’s protest on the street in front of the State Capitol. Uniformed officers, before arresting the protestors, hauled down the effigy – to a chorus of boos from those watching, and later placed it into a police department truck.
US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APPROVE TEMPORARY MEDICAID FUNDING EXTENSION
Federal Bill Heads Now To President Obama – Medicaid Funding Increase (FMAP) Extension Has Major Impact On California’s Budget Shortfall
SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 08/10/2010 12:21 PM (Pacific Time)] - The US House of Representatives, breaking for one day from its summer recess, returned to Washington, DC and gave final approval to the legislation that will provide $16.1 billion to partially extend for six months into 2011, the temporary increase in Medicaid matching funds to the states, including California - – though on a “phased down” approach that gives significantly less money to the states. The bill passed out of the House by a vote of 247 to 161 with 25 members not voting.
The bill, HR 1586, was approved after about 1 hour of debate, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying the bill was vital in protecting the jobs of health care providers, teachers, firefighter – and to provide vital funding to help states stabilize their budgets.
PAUL LONGMORE, DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCATE PASSES AWAY
SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 08/10/2010 11:01 AM (Pacific Time)] - Paul K. Longmore of San Francisco, a widely respected disability advocate, author and history professor at San Francisco State University, passed away Monday evening (August 9).
Longmore was considered by advocates across the state and nation as a the leading historian on disability rights and issues.
SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 08/06/2010 11:40 PM (Pacific Time)] - In a remarkable action as a Republican, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today (August 6) filed a brief urging Federal District Court Judge Vaughn R. Walker to immediately put his ruling into effect and allow people of same sexes to marry in California. [A copy of the Governor’s 11 page pdf file brief is attached to this CDCAN Report.]
That judge ruled on Wednesday that Proposition 8, approved in November 2008 by California voters with 52% of the vote, violated the equal protection and due process rights of gays and lesbians.