CDCAN REPORT #026-2011: Critically important Budget Subcommittee hearings

“WHAT WE ARE SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WHAT WE SAY” – JFK, 1960

REMEMBERING AN AMERICAN HERO:  TODAY IS “FRED KOREMATSU DAY”, a Japanese-American who defied and then fought in federal court the executive order by President Roosevelt that interned 120,000 children and adult Japanese-Americans in camps surrounded by barbed wire, hastily built in the deserts and in the most remote parts of the country during World War II – the greatest single act of institutionalization in modern American history.

State Budget Crisis:

• HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE EXPECTED FOR CRITICAL BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEES HEARINGS THIS WEEK ON GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED PERMANENT SWEEPING CUTS TO MEDI-CAL, REGIONAL CENTERS, IHSS, SSI/SSP, HEALTHY FAMILIES, CALWORKS
• Governor Brown To Deliver “State of the State” Address to Joint Session of Legislature Monday January 31st at 5 PM – Medi-Cal & Healthy Families Hearing on Feb 1 – Regional Centers/Developmental Centers Hearing on Feb 3rd – IHSS and SSI/SSP and Dept of Aging’s MSSP Also on Feb 3rd

SACRAMENTO, CALIF  (CDCAN) [Updated 01/30/2011 – 05:50 PM  (Pacific Time)] – Assembly and Senate budget subcommittee hearings continue this week, with less than two weeks remaining of scheduled subcommittee hearings to review and take public comment on Governor Jerry Brown’s 2011-2012 State Budget plan, that includes permanent sweeping proposals calling for reductions in State general fund spending of over $12.5 billion.

The Governor’s plan calls for massive permanent  reductions to several health and human service programs including Medi-Cal, developmental services (including regional centers), In-Home Supportive Services, SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment program) and the related program for legal immigrants with disabilities, the blind and seniors who don’t qualify for SSI – the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, CalWORKS, Healthy Families, and mental health.

Governor Brown is urging the Legislature to pass the 2011-2012 State Budget and budget related bills by March, several months before the start of the 2011-2012 State budget year (July 1st), as it did in 2009.  The Governor said on January 10th that early action on the budget is needed in order to place at least measures on a June special election ballot.

Brown Scheduled to Deliver “State of the State” Monday at 5 PM

This week begins with the Governor scheduled to deliver his “State of the State” address to a joint session of the Legislature, Monday at 5:00 PM, at the State Capitol in the Assembly Chambers.  The address – normally scheduled earlier in January – will be carried live by many TV news stations and also can be viewed in a live video stream on the CalChannel website at www.calchannel.com

The Governor’s speech will likely provide additional details or direction regarding his proposed budget plan for 2011-2012 – which he wants to the Legislature to approve sometime around March 1, in order to have sufficient time for at least two measures to be placed on a special election ballot in June for voter approval – including one that would extend for five years temporary tax hikes that are scheduled to expire this year.

Week Includes Several Critically Important Subcommittee Hearings

Scheduled this week are critical hearings dealing with the Governor’s proposed permanent reductions:

• Medi-cal -  over $1.7 billion to the Medi-Cal program including proposals to eliminate Adult Day Health Centers, place caps and limits on several benefits and services, and impose co-payments on several services  (hearing is scheduled for February 1st – see below for details);
• Regional Centers - proposed permanent reductions in State general fund spending  of over $750 million to developmental services – the bulk coming from regional centers that coordinate community-based ser vices for over 240,000 infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities (hearing set for Feb 3rd),
• In-Home Supportive Services - over $500 million reduction in State general fund spending to the In-Home Supportive Services program (hearing set for Feb 3rd)
• SSI/SSP - proposal by the Governor to reduce the maximum SSI/SSP individual grants from $845 to $830 per month (hearing set for Feb 3rd) 
• CalWORKS – proposal by the Governor to permanently reduce State general fund spending by $1.5 billion to the State’s “welfare to work” program that includes thousands of parents and children with special needs, mental health needs, and disabilities.

Both houses are holding subcommittee hearings on the same issues – so some of the issues (such as IHSS, Med-Cal, SSI/SSP) were previously heard by at least one house.

CDCAN has issued action alerts – and will issue special action alerts for hearing this week, including one for the February 3rd and 10th hearings on developmental services.

Subcommittee Hearings Only Major Opportunity To Make Public Comment on Governor’s Proposals Before Legislature Takes Action Later in February

• These hearings last week and in the next two weeks will represent the only time – other than direct contact with one’s own legislators either at the Capitol or in the district offices – that the public will have an opportunity to provide brief public testimony and comments on the Governor’s proposals. 
• Time for public testimony at these hearings however – given the large numbers of people expected – have been – and will be – very  limited, though persons can leave longer written comments with the committee. 
• People can testify – but should be prepared to limit their comments to less than a minute, to allow others time to testify.  People can provide more comments by submitting to the subcommittee (hand your written comments to the sergeant-at-arms in the hearing room or mail/fax in your written comments to the Assembly or Senate Budget Offices after the hearing)
• People who want to testify simply line up in the hearing room (listen for the chair to provide instructions).  There is no sign-in at the hearing to make comments.
• CDCAN will be issuing another Action Alert regarding the hearings with more details about the hearings. 

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITEE #1 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES MEMBERS

Chair: Assemblymember Holly Mitchell (Democrat – Los Angeles)
Democratic Members (3):  Wes Chesbro, Holly Mitchell (chair), and Bill Monning  Democratic alternate: Bob Blumenfield
Republican Members (2): Kevin Jefferies, and Allan Mansoor.  Republican alternate:  Jim Nielsen

CDCAN COMMENT:  Mitchell, a former advocate for people with disabilities, seniors and low income families, who also headed a childcare provider agency in Los Angeles, was elected last November and replaces Assemblymember Dave Jones (Democrat – Sacramento) who was termed out (and subsequently elected in November as Insurance Commissioner).

SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #3 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES MEMBERS

Chair: Sen. Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat – Walnut Creek)
Democratic Members (2):  Elaine Alquist, and Mark DeSaulnier
Republican Member (1): Bill Emmerson

CDCAN COMMENT:  DeSaulnier, who has not served before on this subcommittee, replaces Sen. Mark Leno (Democrat – San Francisco), who now chairs the full Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee (who in turn replaced Sen. Denise Ducheny who was termed out last year).

CDCAN LIST OF HEARINGS BY MAJOR BUDGET AREA

Following is list of major health and human service budget areas scheduled for hearing as of January 30, 2011, Sunday evening, 8:00  PM. Those hearings with a “high priority” designation by CDCAN are highlighted below in the color red and prefaced by *** before the subcommittee name (for those people using screen reading devices):

Adult Protective Services

• 02/08/11 (Tue) – Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services
• Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services heard Adult Protective Services budget issues on 01/27.  Kept items “open” for later action.

Aging (Department of Aging programs)

• 02/03/11 (Thu)  – ***Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services (includes MSSP budget issue)
• Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services heard Department of Aging budget issues on 01/25  including proposed elimination of the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP).  Kept items “open” for later action.

CalWORKS

• 02/02/11 (Wed) – ***Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services
• Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services heard CalWORKS  budget issues on 01/27 .  Kept items “open” for later action. 

Child Care and Child Welfare Services (Foster Care, Adoption Assistance)

• ***02/02/11 (Wed) – Joint Hearing of Assembly Budget Subcommittees on Health and Human Services and Education Finance on Child Care and Child Development Programs Overview
• 02/02/11 (Wed) – Senate Budget Subcommittee #1 on Education hearing on Child Care issues under Department of Education. 
• 02/08/11 (Tue) – Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services (child welfare services budget issues)
• Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services heard child welfare services (including foster care) along with IHSS and SSI/SSP budget issues on 01/27.  Kept items “open” for later action.

Developmental Services (regional centers, developmental centers)

• 02/03/11 (Thu)  - ***Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services – regional centers/developmental centers the only item on the agenda
• 02/10/11 (Thu)  – ***Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services – regional centers/developmental centers the only item on the agenda

Education (including special and adult education)

• 02/02/11 (Wed) – Joint Hearing of Assembly Budget Subcommittees on Health and Human Services and Education Finance on Child Care and Child Development Programs Overview
• 02/07/11 (Mon) – ***Senate Budget Subcommittee #1 on Education including special education and budget item relating to Governor’s proposal regarding AB 3632 special education mental health services mandate.
• The Assembly Budget Subcommittees on Health and Human Services, and Education held a joint hearing on January 26th for the budget item dealing with the Governor’s proposal regarding AB 3632.  The item was kept “open” for later action.

Foster Care – See “Child Welfare Services”

Healthy Families Program

• 02/01/11 (Tue)  – ***Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services (also Medi-Cal)
• Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services heard Healthy Families  budget issues on 01/26, along with Medi-Cal .  Kept items “open” for later action

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

• 02/03/11 (Thu)  – ***Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services (IHSS, SSI/SSP and Dept of Aging including MSSP)
• Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services heard In-Home Supportive Services budget issues along with SSI/SSP and child welfare services budget issues on 01/27.  Kept items “open” for later action.

Medi-Cal

• 02/01/11 (Tue) – ***Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services
• Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services heard Medi-Cal (Department of Health Care Services)  budget issues on 01/26, along with Healthy Families .  Kept items “open” for later action.

Mental Health

• 02/01/11 (Tue) - ***Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services
• 02/07/11 (Mon) – ***Senate Budget Subcommittee #1 on Education (budget item under Department of Education relating to Governor’s proposal regarding AB 3632 special education mental health services mandate.
• Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services heard mental health budget issues on 01/26 (AB 3632 budget issues was conducted as a joint hearing with Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 on Education Finance).  Kept items “open” for later action

Rehabilitation (Department of)

• 02/03 – Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services
• Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services heard Department of Rehabilitation budget issues on 01/25. Approved budget change proposals by the department.

SSI/SSP (and likely CAPI)

• 02/03/11 (Thu) - ***Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services
• Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services heard Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment individual grant (SSI/SSP)  budget issues along with IHSS and child welfare services budget issues on 01/27.  Kept items “open” for later action.

CDCAN LIST OF BUDGET HEARINGS SCHEDULED BY DATE

The following – in date order – are the budget hearings scheduled as of January 30th,  Sunday evening as of 8:00 PM.  CDCAN indicates priority or importance of the hearing if it potentially has issues that directly impact people with disabilities, mental health needs, the blind, deaf, seniors, their families, community organizations, facilities and workers who provide supports and services.  Bolded incolor red (and marked with *** for those people who have sight impairments or use screen reading devices) at those specific budget items of very high priority

JANUARY 31, 2011 - MONDAY

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #4 ON STATE ADMINISTRATION
12:30 PM – State Capitol – Room 444    ***note time change***
Budget Items To Be Heard: Several state administration related budget areas, including Department of Veterans Affairs (Budget Item 8950), Department of Consumer Affairs Regulatory Board (Budget Item 1110) and Department of Housing and Community Development (Budget Item 2240)
PRIORITY: Important

***JANUARY 31, 2011 – MONDAY

GOVERNOR’S “STATE OF THE STATE” ADDRESS BEFORE JOINT SESSION OF LEGISLATURE
05:00 PM – State Capitol – Assembly Chambers
CDCAN COMMENT:  Address will be televised live on several news stations and also webcast live on CalChannel at www.calchannel.com   While the Governor has already released – on January 10th – his budget proposals – his speech, likely to be short – probably under 20-30 proposals, etc.  minutes – could provide more light or information on his budget plan, including new priorities, rethinking certain
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

***FEBRUARY 1, 2011 - TUESDAY

***ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #2 ON EDUCATION FINANCE
09:00 AM – State Capitol  - Room 444
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• Department of Education (Budget Item 6110)
• Governor’s Education Proposals for 2011-2012 State Budget
• California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data  System (CALPADS) and California Longitudinal Teacher Integrated Data Education System (CALTIDES)
• Economic Impact Aid
• ***Special Education
• Emergency Repair Program
• Mandates
• Public Comment

CDCAN COMMENT: Special education funding – but also adult education programs are part of this budget area.
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

FEBRUARY 1, 2011 - TUESDAY

SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON EDUCATION
10:00 AM – State Capitol – Room 2040
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• Board of Governors  of the California Community Colleges (Budget Item 6870)

CDCAN COMMENT: This subcommittee continues hearing at 1:30 PM covering K-12 education budget issues.
PRIORITY: Important

***FEBRUARY 1, 2011 - TUESDAY

***ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
1:00 PM – State Capitol – Room 4202
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• ***Department of Health Care Services – Medi-Cal  (Budget Item 4260)
• ***Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board – Healthy Families (Budget Item 4280)

CDCAN COMMENT: Governor is proposing over $1.7 billion in cuts to the Medi-Cal program and major cuts to the Healthy Families program.  Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services heard these budget proposals on January 26th – kept items “open” for later action.
CDCAN ACTION ALERT:  YES
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

***FEBRUARY 1, 2011 - TUESDAY

***SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #3 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
1:00 PM – State Capitol – Room 4203
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• ***Department of Mental Health (Budget Item 4440)  – Proposition 63 Redirection; Community-based mental health services; state hospitals
• Department of Public Health (Budget Item 4265) – AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and other issues as needed
• Department of Health Care Services (Budget Item 4260) – Family Health

CDCAN COMMENT:  Budget subcommittee staff is estimating that the length of this hearing will be about 4 hours.  Governor is proposing to shift about $900,000 from the fund balance of Proposition 63, the voter approved Mental Health Services Act, to temporarily fund 3 existing community-based mental health services currently funded by State general funds:  EPSDT (Early, Periodic, Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program), Medi-Cal Managed Care Mental Health services and mental health services for special education students under the AB 3632 mandate.  The Assembly Budget Subcommittee is holding its hearing on this issue on January 26th.
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

FEBRUARY 1, 2011 – TUESDAY

SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON EDUCATION
01:30 PM – State Capitol – Room 3191
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• California State Library (Budget Item 6120) – Governor’s reduction proposal
• Department of Education (Budget Item 6110) - Governor’s Education Proposals for 2011-2012 State Budget:  California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data  System (CALPADS) and California Longitudinal Teacher Integrated Data Education System (CALTIDES); Economic Impact Aid; Emergency Repair Program; Mandates
• Public Comment

PRIORITY: Important

***FEBRUARY 2, 2011 – WEDNESDAY

***JOINT HEARING: ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #2 ON EDUCATION FINANCE AND ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
09:00 AM – State Capitol – Room 4202  ***note time change***
Informational Hearing – Subject: Child Care & Development Programs Overview
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• ***Department of Education – Child Care (Budget Item 6110)

Governor’s 2011–2012 State Budget Proposals

• Department of Finance - Presentation of Governor’s Proposals
• Legislative Analyst Office: Assessment of Governor’s Proposals & Recommendations
• Department of Education’s Response
• Public Comment

Issues for Discussion:

• ***Restore CalWORKs Stage 3
• ***Reduction of State Subsidies by 35%
• ***Reduction of Income Eligibility Ceiling to 60% of State Median Income (SMI)
• ***Elimination of services for 11–12 year old children
• Technical Adjustments & Update

CDCAN COMMENT:  The child care are critical and part of the reductions that impact the CalWORKS program as proposed by the Governor. This is now a joint hearing of the Assembly budget subcommittees on Education Finance and Health and Human Services.
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

FEBRUARY 2, 2011 – WEDNESDAY

SENATE GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
09:30 AM – State Capitol – Room 112
Informational Hearing – Subject: “The Governor’s Realignment Proposal Restructuring State and Local Responsibilities to Deliver Better Value”
CDCAN COMMENT: This is a new committee this year, merging the old Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee and Senate Local Government Committee into this one standing committee, chaired by Sen. Lois Wolk (Democrat – Davis).  Though this is not a budget hearing, the issue being heard has major impact on the Governor’s proposed spending plan.  The Assembly has scheduled similar informational hearings by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Budget Oversight and Program Evaluation, chaired by Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (Democrat – Van Nuys) on February 4th in Los Angeles and February 14th at the State Capitol. 

IHSS is not included in the initial (Phase 1) realignment proposal by the Governor that would take place during the 2011-2012 State Budget year  – but is included in the second phase – though there is no date when that phase would begin
PRIORITY: HIGH

FEBRUARY 2, 2011 – WEDNESDAY

SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON EDUCATION
12:00 Noon  – State Capitol – Room 3191
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• Department of Education (Budget Item 6110) – Child Care

PRIORITY: Important

***FEBRUARY 2, 2011 – WEDNESDAY

***ASSEMBLY  BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
1:00 PM – State Capitol – Room 4202
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• ***Department of Social Services (Budget Item 5180) – CalWORKS and CalFRESH (food stamps) budget items. 
• California Health & Human Services Agency (Budget Item 0530) – DSS Automation Projects

CDCAN COMMENT: CalWORKS is the State’s “welfare to work” serving over 500,000 families that includes thousands of parents and children with special needs and disabilities.  Governor Brown is proposing $1.5 billion reduction to this program.
CDCAN ACTION ALERT:  YES – will be issued Friday to urge people to attend this hearing and testify
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

***FEBRUARY 3, 2011 - THURSDAY

***SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #3 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
09:30 AM or Upon Adjournment of Senate Floor Session – State Capitol – Room 4203 (Senate Floor Session begins at 09:00 and should end within half hour)
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• ***Department of Social Services (Budget Item 5180) –  In-Home Supportive Services and SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment) grants
• ***Department of Aging (Budget Item 4170) (includes Multipurpose Senior Services Program – MSSP – proposed program elimination)
• Department of Rehabilitation (Budget Item 5160)
• Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (Budget Item 4140)

CDCAN COMMENT:  Budget subcommittee staff is estimating that the length of this hearing will be about 4 hours.  Governor is proposing $500 million in reductions in State general fund spending to IHSS by significantly narrowing eligibility by requiring certification from a physician for all recipients in the IHSS program that certifies that the person is “at risk” of being institutionalized; proposes an additional 8.4% across the board cut in authorized services hours for all IHSS recipients on top of the existing 3.6% cut that is scheduled to go into effect February 1st; would make the cuts in service hours permanent; proposes to eliminate domestic and related services for IHSS recipients who are under the age of 18 and live at home or if an adult, live in a “shared living arrangement”; would eliminate state funding for IHSS Advisory Committees.  Governor proposes to eliminate the MSSP or Multipurpose Senior Services Program, a Medi-Cal funded program that funds 41 sites who coordinate community-based services for over 11,000 seniors over the age of 65 years old and Medi-Cal eligible who are otherwise at risk of being institutionalized but want to remain in their own home.  The Assembly heard the MSSP issue on January 25th, and the IHSS and SSI/SSP issues on January 27th (kept the items “open” for later action)
CDCAN ACTION ALERT:  YES
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

***FEBRUARY 3, 2011 – THURSDAY

***ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
1:00 PM  or upon adjournment of Assembly Floor session – State Capitol – Room 4202
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• ***Department of Developmental Services – regional centers and developmental centers (Budget Item 4300)

CDCAN COMMENT:  The subcommittee staff believe the budget subcommittee will probably end up meeting around 1 PM, and is scheduling some non-controversial items at the beginning of the hearing to allow more time for people to enter into the hearing room.  The starting time of the hearing – which is 1 PM or upon adjournment of the Assembly floor session is difficult to determine.  In the last four Thursdays  the Assembly convened at 9 AM, 7 AM, 9 AM and most recently on 1/27 – at 10 AM. 

Governor is proposing a $750 million reduction in State general fund spending – about $530 million of that coming from outright cuts that have not yet been specified; extension of 4.2% reduction in most payments to regional center providers and regional center operations. Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services is holding its hearing on this issue on February 10th
CDCAN ACTION ALERT:  YES
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

FEBRUARY 3, 2011 – THURSDAY

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #4 ON STATE ADMINISTRATION
Upon Adjournment of Assembly Floor Session – State Capitol – Room 447
Informational Hearing – Subject:  Labor and Workforce Development Overview
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• Employment Development Department (Budget Item 7100)
• Department of Industrial Relations (Budget Item 7350)

CDCAN COMMENT: Advocates should make sure that the overview include issues impacting people with disabilities, mental health needs and seniors.
PRIORITY: Important

FEBRUARY 4, 2011 – FRIDAY

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #6 ON BUDGET PROCESS, OVERSIGHT & PROGRAM EVALUATION
2:30 PM – Los Angeles  ***note time change***
Board Hearing Room 381B
Kenneth Han Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street– Los Angeles, CA

Informational Hearing – Subject:  Governor’s Realignment Proposal

CDCAN COMMENT: This is a informational hearing focusing on the Governor’s proposal to realign or shift several state programs to the counties in two phases.  The first phase largely are public safety related programs, that would occur sometime in the 2011-2012 State Budget year, if approved by the Legislature.  The second phase has not implementation date – though would not occur in the 2011-2012 State budget year that begins July 1, 2011 – that includes Governor’s proposal to eliminate the current required county match for the IHSS program, making it a state-federal funded program only. 
PRIORITY: Important

FEBRUARY 7, 2011 – MONDAY

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #2 ON EDUCATION FINANCE
09:00 AM – State Capitol – Room 444
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• California State Library (Budget Item 6120)

Governor’s 2011–2012 State Budget Proposals

• Department of Education (Budget Item 6110)

Governor’s 2011–2012 State Budget Proposals

• Governor’s 2011–12 Flexibility Proposals
• Legislative Analyst Office report on school district finance and flexibility
• Elimination of Office of the Secretary of Education
• State Board of Education: State Operations
• Update on Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Program
• Public Comment

CDCAN COMMENT: Hearing continues at 2:00 PM. Some of the categorical “flexibility” that education wants to see continued includes those that impacts adult education programs.  Many programs that serve or served adults with developmental disabilities and seniors were cut back or eliminated.
PRIORITY:  HIGH

FEBRUARY 7, 2011 – MONDAY

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #2 ON EDUCATION FINANCE
2:00 PM – State Capitol – Room to be announced (continuation of 09:00 AM hearing)
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• University of California (Budget Item 6440)
• Hastings College of the Law (Budget Item 6600)
• California State University(Budget Item 6610)
• Board of Governors: California Community Colleges (Budget Item 6870)
• Presentation from Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and Officials of the Higher Education Systems

CDCAN COMMENT: Major cuts are proposed to higher education – that could impact students with special needs, mental health needs and disabilities and low income families.  Governor is proposing a major increase in community college fees.
PRIORITY:  HIGH

FEBRUARY 7, 2011 - MONDAY

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #4 ON STATE ADMINISTRATION
1:00 PM – State Capitol – Room To Be Announced  ***note time change***
Informational Hearing – Subject:

• Enterprise Zones and Redevelopment Overview
• Discussion of Administrations Proposal
• Open budget items

CDCAN COMMENT: The Governor is proposing elimination of State general funding for enterprise zones and redevelopment agencies. Those proposals are considered revenue generating as it would, under the Governor’s plan, divert those state general funds to other state general fund programs.  Like all the Governor’s proposals calling for reductions, if these proposals do not happen, then that reduction will have to come from somewhere else in the budget.  Local government entities – including Los Angeles, Sacramento and other communities have indicated they will strongly oppose the Governor’s proposal.
PRIORITY: Important

***FEBRUARY 7, 2011 – MONDAY

***SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON EDUCATION
02:30 PM or upon adjournment of Senate floor session – State Capitol – Room 3191
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• ***Department of Education (Budget Item 6110)
• Governor’s K-12 Flexibility Proposals
• Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) report on school district finance and flexibility
• AB 3632 Special Education mental health services mandate
• Special Education
• Section 28.00 Letter – Federal Striving Readers Program 
• Department of Education (Budget Item 6110) – State operations
• Office of the Secretary of Education (Budget Item 0558) – Governor’s proposal for elimination of the Office of the Secretary of Education and Governor’s proposal for increased funding for State Board of Education
• Public Comment

CDCAN COMMENT: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services and Subcommittee #2 on Education Finance heard in a joint hearing on January 26th, the issue of the realigning the AB 3632 Special Education mental health services mandate (those two subcommittees kept item “open” for later action).

The subcommittee will also hear special education budget related issues.  Over 650,000 students with special needs and disabilities are in California’s special education programs.
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

FEBRUARY 8, 2011 - TUESDAY

***SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #3 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
01:00 PM – State Capitol – Room 4203
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• Department of Social Services (Budget Item 5180) – Child Welfare Services (includes foster care)
• Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (Budget Item 4200)
• Department of Community Services and Development (Budget Item 4700)
• Department of Child Support (Budget Item 5175)
• Open Issues (human services departments)

CDCAN COMMENT:  Budget subcommittee staff is estimating that the length of this hearing will be about 4 hours. Child Welfare Services includes foster care and adoption assistance programs.
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

FEBRUARY 9, 2011 – WEDNESDAY

SENATE GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
09:30 AM – State Capitol – Room 112

• Committee Organizational Items and 1 bill
• Informational Hearing – Subject: “The Governor’s Realignment Proposal Restructuring State and Local Responsibilities to Deliver Better Value”

CDCAN COMMENT:  Like the hearing on the same issue scheduled February 2nd by this same committee - though this is not a budget hearing, the issue being heard has major impact on the Governor’s proposed spending plan.  The Assembly has scheduled similar informational hearings by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Budget Oversight and Program Evaluation, chaired by Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (Democrat – Van Nuys) on February 4th in Los Angeles and February 14th at the State Capitol. 

IHSS is not included in the initial (Phase 1) realignment proposal by the Governor that would take place during the 2011-2012 State Budget year  – but is included in the second phase – though there is no date when that phase would begin
PRIORITY: HIGH

FEBRUARY 10, 2011 - THURSDAY

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Meets Upon Adjournment of Assembly Floor Session  – State Capitol – Room 4202

• All departments and open issues

PRIORITY: N/A

FEBRUARY 10, 2011 - THURSDAY

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #2 ON EDUCATION FINANCE
Meets Upon adjournment of Assembly Floor Session – State Capitol - Room – To Be Announced
Any open education budget items not heard or acted on
PRIORITY:  N/A

FEBRUARY 10, 2011 - THURSDAY

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #5 ON PUBLIC SAFETY
Meets Upon Adjournment of Assembly Floor Session – State Capitol – Room 127
Budget Items To Be Heard:  Includes Judicial Branch, Office of Emergency Services (Budget Item 0690)
CDCAN COMMENT: Office of Emergency Services has direct impact on people with disabilities, mental health needs, the blind and seniors
PRIORITY: Important

***FEBRUARY 10, 2011 - THURSDAY

***SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #3 ON HEALTH AND HUMANSERVICES
09:30 AM or upon Adjournment of Senate Floor Session – State Capitol – Room 4203 (Senate usually convenes its Thursday floor session at 9 AM for about 30-40 minutes)
Budget Items To Be Heard:

• ***Department of Developmental Services (Budget Item 4300) [regional centers/community based services and developmental centers]
• Open Issues: health related  budget issues

CDCAN COMMENT:  Budget subcommittee staff is estimating that the length of this hearing will be about 4 hours.  Governor is proposing over $750 million in cuts in State general fund spending to developmental services – the bulk that is likely to come out of community-based services (regional centers) in order to control caseload growth and the costs of providing services.  About $200 million of the reduction will come from new federal funds, and also some fund shifts.  Governor proposes extending the existing 4.25% reduction in payments to most regional center providers and to regional center operations for at least another year (June 30, 2012), though the reduction amount in general fund spending in developmental services is considered permanent.  The remaining reduction will be achieved, the Governor proposes, but yet unspecified provisions dealing with implementing a statewide “purchase of services” standards, and measures relating to accountability, oversight, transparency.  However all those provisions are meant to cut spending in the developmental services budget – not increase it.  The Assembly Budget Subcommittee is holding its hearing on these issues on February 3.
CDCAN ACTION ALERT:  YES – will be issued this week to urge people to attend this hearing and testify – and for meeting or rally to be announced
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

FEBRUARY 10, 2011 - THURSDAY

SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #2 ON EDUCATION
10:00 AM or upon Adjournment of Senate Floor Session – State Capitol – Room 3191 (Senate usually convenes its Thursday floor session at 9 AM for about 30-40 minutes)
Budget Items To Be Heard:  California Postsecondary Education Commission (Budget Item 6420), Hastings College of Law (Budget Item 6600) and California Student Aid Commission (Budget Item 7980)
PRIORITY:  N/A

FEBRUARY 14, 2011 – MONDAY

ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #6 ON BUDGET OVERSIGHT AND PROGRAM EVALUATION
Meets upon adjournment of Assembly floor session – State Capitol – Room 444
Informational Hearing – Subject:  Governor’s Realignment Proposal
CDCAN COMMENT:  This subcommittee is also scheduled to hold a informational hearing in Los Angeles on February 4th.
PRIORITY:  Important

***FEBRUARY 18, 2011 – FRIDAY

***ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE

Meets upon adjournment of Assembly floor session – State Capitol – Room 4202

• ***Governor’s 2011-2012 State Budget proposal

CDCAN COMMENT:  This appears likely to be the final budget hearing by the Assembly before the full Assembly takes final action on the Governor’s 2011-2012 State Budget proposal.  It is not certain whether budget items held “open” at the previous subcommittee hearings – such as Medi-Cal, IHSS, regional centers – will be closed with final action at this hearing or if those issues would have been acted on at an earlier subcommittee hearing before this date.  It is possible that some or all of those controversial proposals are decided after this hearing before a budget plan and budget related bills are taken up for a vote on the Assembly floor.  In any case, this hearing by the full Assembly Budget Committee will give some idea where the Assembly – controlled by Democrats – are headed regarding the Governor’s proposed spending cuts and revenue proposals.
PRIORITY:  VERY HIGH

FEBRUARY 22, 2011 – TUESDAY

JOINT HEARING – ASSEMBLY AGING AND LONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE AND ASSEMBLY PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
09:30 AM – State Capitol – Room 126
Informational Hearing – Subject:  “From Financial Scams to Surveillance Cams: A Spotlight on Elder and Adult Abuse”

CDCAN COMMENT: Though not a budget subcommittee hearing – the issue of oversight is linked to several budget related issues, including proposed realignment (shifting) of adult protective services – and budget reductions in other areas that impact seniors and people with disabilities living at home and living in health facilities and other out of home placement settings.  Assembly Aging and Long Term Care Committee is chaired by Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (Democrat – Davis) and the Assembly Public Safety Committee is chaired by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (Democrat – San Francisco).
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH