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UP-COMING BUDGET AND LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS – CRITICAL HEARING ON IHSS, SSI/SSP PROPOSED CUTS

• Feb 02 – Senate Budget Committee Hearing: IHSS, SSI, CalWORKS
• Feb 02 – Assembly Select Committee on Disabilities
• Feb 11 – Assembly Budget Subcommittee: Regional Centers

SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 01/30/10 06:55 PM (Pacific Time)] - The Governor’s special session budget proposals will continue to be the focus of the Legislature in the coming weeks, with the next Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee hearing set for February 2, Tuesday afternoon from 1 to 4 PM at the State Capitol in Room 4203, that will review the Governor’s special session human services budget proposals, including controversial proposals calling for major reductions to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) that serves over 460,000 children and adults with disabilities, the blind, and seniors and proposed cuts for the CalWORKS program, the state’s “welfare to work” program that includes many children and adults with special needs and disabilities. No agenda is yet available.

Among the Governor’s human services related special session budget proposals – proposals that he wants the Legislature to pass by March 1, 2010 – include:

• IHSS - Proposal to significantly narrow eligibility for IHSS using an internal county IHSS assessment tool known as the “functional index score” that would limit eligibility to the program for persons with a score of “4” or higher. The Department of Social Services, the state agency that oversees statewide the IHSS program, estimates that over 87% of the 460,000 people in the program would no longer be eligible for any service under IHSS if this proposal was approved. The Governor also proposed reducing the State’s participation toward IHSS worker wages to no higher than the state minimum wage, plus 60 cents per hour for health benefits.
• Cash Assistance Program for Immigrant (CAPI) – this program provides grants similar to SSI/SSP to about 10,000 persons with disabilities, the blind and seniors who are legal immigrants but do not qualify for SSI. The Governor proposed to eliminate completely this state funded program.
• SSI/SSP – the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the state funded State Supplemental Payment grant program provides cash grants to low income persons with disabilities, the blind and seniors. The Governor proposed reducing the maximum individual grants by $15 that would lower grant levels for individuals to the lowest level allowed by the federal government.

While no action is expected to be taken at the hearing, it is likely the last time – at least in the Senate – that public testimony will be taken at a hearing on these special session budget issues. People can also write and submit written comments and testimony directly to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee office (see below for address) before, during and after the hearing.

Assembly Select Committee on Disabilities Also Has Feb 2nd Hearing

Also scheduled on the same day on February 2, – at 2:00 PM - is an informational hearing by the Assembly Select Committee on Disabilities chaired by former state senator – now Assemblymember, Wes Chesbro (Democrat – Arcata) on the subject of “Living With a Developmental Disability In California” (changed from the “State of Developmental Disabilities in California”). See separate CDCAN Report for final agenda for this hearing.

Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Schedules Feb 11th on Developmental Services Special Session Budget Issues

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services, chaired by Assemblymember Jerry Hill (Democrat – San Mateo, 19th Assembly District) has scheduled a hearing on February 11th, Thursday that will focus on the Governor’s special session budget proposal dealing with developmental services, specifically his proposal to extend to June 30, 2011, the 3% reductions in payments to most regional center funded providers and 3% cut in regional center operations.

The 3% cut, which was passed as part of the 2009-2010 State Budget last February and made retroactive to February 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010, was in addition to over $334 million in reductions in State general fund spending to developmental services (the amount is higher when federal funds are included in the total). Providers impacted by the 3% cut include adult day health care providers who also face a special session budget proposal by the Governor that is calling for the complete elimination of all Medi-Cal funding for adult day health care.

It is not certain at this point what other special session budget issues will be heard on February 11th. The Assembly is expected to release a hearing schedule – likely by its budget subcommittees rather than the full Assembly Budget Committee – on Monday, February 1.

ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Total Members: 27

Democrats (15 members): Assemblymembers Noreen Evans (Chair), Jim Beall, Jr (also chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee and member of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services), Bob Blumenfield, Julia Brownley, Anna M. Caballero, Wilmer Amina Carter, Wes Chesbro (also chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Disabilities), Hector De La Torre (also chair of the Assembly Accountability & Administrative Review Committee), Mike Feuer, Edward Hernandez, Jerry Hill (also chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services), Jared Huffman, William Monning, Ira Ruskin, and Sandre Swanson.

Republicans (11 members): Assemblymembers Jim Nielsen (Vice Chair), Anthony Adams, Bill Berryhill, Paul Cook, Bill Emmerson, Jean Fuller, Danny Gilmore, Diane Harkey, Kevin Jeffries, Brian Nestande, and Jim Silva

Independent (1 member): Assemblymember Juan Arambula

Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services Members:

Total Members: 7

Democrats (5 members) : Assemblymembers Jerry Hill (Chair); Jim Beall, Jr. (also chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee); Julia Brownley, Hector De La Torre (also chair of the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee); and Edward Hernandez (Democratic Alternate Member: Noreen Evans (also chair of the Assembly Budget Committee)

Republicans (2): Assemblymember Bill Emmerson; and Brian Nestande (Republican Alternate Member: Jim Nielsen

To provide this committee with written testimony or comments, send to the committee office (or provide during the committee hearing):

Assembly Budget Committee
State Capitol - Room 6026
Sacramento, CA 95814
Committee Office Phone: (916) 319–2099

SENATE BUDGET & FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Total Members: 15

Democrats (10 members): Denise Ducheny (Committee Chair), Elaine Alquist (chair of the Senate Health Committee), Mark DeSaulnier, Mark Leno (chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services), Carol Liu (chair of the Senate Human Services Committee), Alan Lowenthal (chair of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee), Gloria Negrete McLeod, Alex Padilla, Joe Simitian and Roderick Wright

Republicans (5 members): Robert Dutton (Committee Vice-Chair), Roy Ashburn, Robert Huff, Abel Maldonado, and Mimi Walters

Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services

Total Members: 3

Democrats (2 members): Senators Mark Leno; and Elaine Alquist (also chair of the Senate Health Committee)

Republican (1 member): Senator Roy Ashburn

To provide this committee with written testimony or comments, send to the committee office (or provide during the committee hearing):

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Office
State Capitol – Room 5019 [different from the committee hearing room]
Sacramento, CA 95814
Main committee office phone: (916) 651-4103

BUDGET HEARING SCHEDULE BY SUBJECT

Note: budget committee and subcommittee hearing dates and times are always subject to last minute changes. This schedule is current as of Saturday, January 30, 2010

CalWORKS

• Feb 02 – Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s special session budget proposals) ***HIGH PRIORITY***
• Assembly has not yet held or scheduled a budget hearing on this specific issue – expected to release budget hearing schedule 2/1

Children and Families (Proposition 10)

• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s special session budget proposals) held hearing 1/26 – no action taken.
• Assembly has not yet held or scheduled a budget hearing on this specific issue – expected to release budget hearing schedule 2/1

Developmental Services (regional centers & developmental centers)

• Feb 02 - Assembly Select Committee on Disabilities informational hearing (“State of Developmental Disabilities”) originally set for 1/26 now set for this date ***HIGH PRIORITY***
• Feb 11 – Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services on Governor’s special session developmental services budget proposals (see below) ***HIGH PRIORITY***
• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s special session budget proposals) held hearing 1/26 – no action taken.

Education

• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s budget proposals) held its hearing on the Governor’s special session proposals on Jan. 19.
• Assembly has not yet held or scheduled a budget hearing on this specific issue – expected to release budget hearing schedule 2/1

Healthy Families

• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s budget proposals) held hearing 1/26 – no action taken
• Assembly has not yet held or scheduled a budget hearing on this specific issue – expected to release budget hearing schedule 2/1

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

• Feb 02 – Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s special session budget proposals) ***HIGH PRIORITY***
• Assembly Budget Committee & Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 (3rd IHSS Reforms Oversight hearing) held on 1/27 – no action taken
• Assembly has not yet held or scheduled a budget hearing on this specific issue – expected to release budget hearing schedule 2/1

Medi-Cal and Long Term Care

• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s special session budget proposals) held hearing 1/26 – no action taken
• Senate Human Services/Senate Health Subcommittee on Aging and Long Term Care info hearing on “future of Long Term Care” held on 1/26 – no action taken
• Assembly has not yet held or scheduled a budget hearing on this specific issue - expected to release budget hearing schedule 2/1

Mental Health

• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s special session budget proposals) held hearing 1/26 – no action taken
• Assembly has not yet scheduled or held a hearing on this specific issue - expected to release budget hearing schedule 2/1

SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment grant program) & CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants)

• Feb 02 – Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s special session budget proposals) ***HIGH PRIORITY***
• Assembly has not yet scheduled or held a hearing on this specific issue – expected to release budget hearing schedule 2/1

Transportation

• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee held hearing on Governor’s special session transportation proposals on Jan 21.
• Assembly has not yet scheduled or held a hearing on this specific issue - expected to release budget hearing schedule 2/1

BUDGET & RELATED HEARINGS SCHEDULED TO DATE

The following are budget committees and budget related committee hearings scheduled, updated as Saturday, January 30, 2010.

The Assembly is expected to release a budget hearing schedule – likely the Assembly budget subcommittees – on Monday (February 1)

FEBRUARY 2, 2010 (TUESDAY)

SENATE BUDGET AND FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

1:00 to 4:00 PM – State Capitol Room 4203
SUBJECT: Overview of the Governor’s Special Session Budget Proposals for Human Services
PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Yes – limited and brief (written letters and comments can always be submitted before, during and after the hearing)
CDCAN Comment: Includes Governor’s budget proposals impacting In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment grant program, CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants), CalWORKS (state’s “welfare to work” program).
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

ASSEMBLY SELECT COMMITTEE ON DISABILITIES

2:00 PM – State Capitol – Room 126
Informational Hearing – Subject: “Living With A Developmental Disability in California” (changed from “State of Developmental Disabilities in California)
PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Probably
CDCAN COMMENT: This hearing was originally scheduled for January 26, but was postponed and subsequently rescheduled to February 2 – though the time conflicts with a previously scheduled Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee on the Governor’s human services special session budget proposals, The announcement on Friday (January 29th) that the Governor will propose the closure of Lanterman Developmental Center in Pomona (Los Angeles County) will likely be part of the presentation by Department of Developmental Services director Terri Delgadillo during the hearing.

While this is not a budget hearing – and the select committee has no jurisdiction over the budget process – the issues raised here do impact recently approved and new budget proposals that have major impact on people with developmental disabilities. Comments raised here could have some impact on the budget process.
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

FEBRUARY 3, 2010 (WEDNESDAY)

ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE

1:00 PM – State Capitol – Room 4202
Informational Hearing – Subject: Proposition 58 Special Session Overview
PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Not certain – though if allowed, would be very brief
CDCAN Comment: Proposition 58 refers to the voter approved amendment to the State Constitution that authorizes the Governor to declare a “fiscal emergency” that requires the Legislature to consider the Governor’s proposals to address that emergency and to respond in special session with passage of a bill or bills dealing with that emergency
PRIORITY: Important

NEW - SENATE BUDGET AND FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

01:30 PM - State Capitol Room 4203
SUBJECT: Governor’s special session proposals not previously heard and alternatives to the Governor’s Budget Proposals, including revenues
PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Not certain – though if allowed, would be very brief
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

FEBRUARY 4, 2010 (THURSDAY)

SENATE BUDGET AND FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

09:30 AM or upon adjournment of the State Senate floor session
State Capitol Room 4203
SUBJECT: Governor’s special session proposals
PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Not certain – though if allowed, would be very brief
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH

SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SURPLUS PROPERTY

11:00 AM or upon adjournment of State Senate floor session
State Capitol Room 3191
Informational Hearing – Subject:
1) Existing practices for identifying and disposing of state surplus property
2) Progress made towards selling selected properties.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Not certain – though if allowed, would be very brief
CDCAN COMMENT: While not reviewing the specific proposals in the Governor’s proposed budget, the issue of state surplus property and how it is identified and disposed would have impact on the budget.
PRIORITY: Important

FEBRUARY 8, 2010 (MONDAY)

ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE

2:00 PM – State Capitol – Room 4202
Informational Hearing – Subject: Every Woman Counts: Eliminating Breast Cancer Screening for Uninsured Women
PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Not certain – though if allowed, would be very brief
PRIORITY: Important

FEBRUARY 11, 2010 (THURSDAY)

NEW - ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Meets Upon Adjournment of Assembly Floor Session
State Capitol – Location to be announced
Subject: Developmental Services – Governor’s special session budget proposal that would extend the 3% in payments to most regional center providers and 3% reduction in regional center operations - set to expire June 30, 2010 – to June 30, 2011.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Probably
CDCAN COMMENT: Other health related budget issues could be taken up at this hearing – a full schedule of Assembly Budget subcommittee hearings should be announced possibly on February 1st.
PRIORITY: VERY HIGH