CDCAN REPORT #034-2011: Final round of Budget Subcommittee hearings this week for public comment

• Final Round of Budget Subcommittee Hearings This Week For Public Comment on Governor’s Proposals – Legislature Expected To Begin Taking Final Action Soon
• Critical Final Hearing by Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services February 10th Thursday at 09:30 AM on Proposed $750 Million Cut to General Fund Spending for Regional Centers and Other Developmental Services – Hearing 2/8 on Adult Protective Services and Child Welfare Services Including Foster Care & Adoption Assistance

SACRAMENTO, CALIF  (CDCAN) [Updated 02/07/2011 – 12:30 PM  (Pacific Time)] – Both the Assembly and Senate budget subcommittees are in what is likely their final week of scheduled hearings of taking public comment on the Governor’s proposed 2011-2012 State Budget plan, that includes $12.5 billion in proposed permanent spending reductions in State general fund spending (a portion of that amount is achieved through shifting other funds to replace general fund money). 

The Legislature has not yet taken any final action – either in the subcommittees or on the floor on any of the Governor’s major proposals, including major spending reduction proposals, but is expected to do so before the end of the month.

While an overall targeted reduction amount for developmental services (including regional centers) is certain to be approved along with many other of the Governor’s proposals later this month, the details on how the cuts to developmental services will actually be achieved will be submitted to the Legislature for approval later - likely in May or early June – with at least one or two hearings by the budget subcommittees or full committees to take public comment likely  at that point.

Budget Process This Year On Fast Track

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.

And many of the reductions or changes may have to be revisited by the Legislature and Governor as they normally would be in any budget year sometime in May – and also depending on what happens in a still to be called special election in June, that is supposed to include for voter approval, the Governor’s proposal to extend for five more years temporary tax increases that are set to expire this year.

Governor Calling For Sweeping Permanent Cuts to Solve Current and On-Goi ng State Budget Crisis

The Governor’s plan calls for massive permanent reductions in services, narrowing of eligibility or outright elimination of certain programs of several health and human service programs including Medi-Cal (including proposed elimination of the MSSP or Multipurpose Senior Services Program and Adult Day Health), 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.

The Governor is also proposing temporarily shifting some funding – such as nearly $1 billion from Proposition 63 (the Mental Health Services Act) to fund for one year three mental health community-based services that are now funded with State general funds (and matching federal dollars) – the EPSDT (Early, Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment) program, the Medi-Cal managed care mental health services, and mental health services for special education students required under AB 3632.

Governor is also proposing realigning or moving State responsibility of some programs – such as Adult Protective Services and certain child welfare services under the Department of Social Services, to the counties.

Week Includes Important Subcommittee Hearing on Developmental Services

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

• Regional Centers (Developmental Services)  - 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 (Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services hearing set for Feb 10th at 09:30 AM or upon adjournment of the Senate floor session, at the State Capitol in Room 4203.  Its Assembly counterpart heard this issue last week on February 3rd, where hundreds packed the hearing room, overflow hearing rooms and hallways to testify and participate.   
• This will be the last public hearing for public comment on the Governor’s proposed cuts to developmental services this month (there will likely be hearings again sometime in May or early June to take public comment on whatever details the Brown Administration – as represented by the Department of Developmental Services – submits the Legislature on how it proposes to achieve whatever reduction amount in State general fund spending the Legislature ends up approving. 
• The Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services on February 8th, will hear among other issues, Department of Social Services budget items related to child welfare services (including adoption assistance and foster care programs) and adult protective services (see below for details). 
• Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services – meets on February 10th upon adjournment of the Assembly floor session (probably around 10 AM) at the State Capitol in Room 4202 to possibly take final action on some “open” health budget items – though nothing has yet been announced. 

CDCAN has issued action alerts for the February 10th hearing 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 this week (and the past two weeks) 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 before the Legislature takes final action sometime later this month.   
• 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).  Normally, 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 February 7, 2011, Monday morning.  Those hearings with a “high priority” designation by CDCAN are highlighted below in bold 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 hearing
• Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services heard Adult Protective Services budget issues on 01/27.  Kept items “open” for later action.
• NEXT STEPS:  After the hearing on February 8th, no further public hearings (for public comment) on these issues likely  – both subcommittees likely to close this item (take final action) in the next week or two though nothing has yet been announced official.

Aging (Department of Aging programs)

• 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. 
• Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services heard Department of Aging budget issues on 02/03, specifically the Governor’s proposal to eliminate MSSP (Multipurpose Senior Services Program),.  Kept items “open” for later action.
• NEXT STEPS:  No further public hearings (for public comment) likely on these issues – both subcommittees likely to close this item (take final action) in the next week or two though nothing has yet been announced official.

CalWORKS

• Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services heard CalWORKS  budget issues on 01/27 .  Kept items “open” for later action. 
• Assembly  Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services heard CalWORKS budget  issues on 02/02. Kept major  items “open” for later action. 
• NEXT STEPS:  No further public hearings (for public comment) likely on these issues – both subcommittees likely to close this item (take final action) in the next week or two though nothing has yet been announced official.

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

• 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. 
• Joint Hearing by Assembly Budget Subcommittees on Health and Human Services and Education Finance on Child Care and Child Development Programs Overview was held on 02/02.  No action taken at this hearing.
• Senate Budget Subcommittee #1 on Education heard child care budget issues under Department of Education on 02/02.

Developmental Services (regional centers, developmental centers)

• ***02/10/11 (Thu)  – Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services – regional centers/developmental centers the only item on the agenda
• Assembly  Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services heard developmental services budget  issues on 02/03. Kept major items “open” for later action. 
• NEXT STEPS: After February 10th, no further public hearings (for public comment) likely on these issues – both subcommittees likely to close this item (take final action) within the next week or two though nothing has yet been announced official.

Education (including special and adult education)

• ***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.
• ***02/07/11 (Mon) - Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 on Education Finance hearing includes special education budget issues. 
• 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.
• Joint hearing on February 2nd by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services and Education Finance on Child Care and Child Developmental Programs overview.  No action taken on these issues at this hearing.

Foster Care – See “Child Welfare Services”

Healthy Families Program

• 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
• Assembly  Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services heard Healthy Families budget  issues on 02/01 (along with Medi-Cal issues). Kept those items “open” for later action. 
• NEXT STEPS: No further public hearings (for public comment) likely on these issues – both subcommittees likely to close this item (take final action) in the next week or two though nothing has yet been announced official.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

• 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.
• Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services heard the In-Home Supportive Services proposal (along with the MSSP and SSI/SSP individual grant proposals) on 02/03. Kept the IHSS and other   items “open” for later action. 
• NEXT STEPS: No further public hearings (for public comment) likely on this issue – both subcommittees likely to close this item (take final action) in the next week or two though nothing has yet been announced officially.

Medi-Cal

• 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. 
• Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services heard the Medi-Cal proposals, including provider rate reduction proposals and elimination proposed for Adult Day Health Centers on 02/01. Kept all items “open” for later action. 
• NEXT STEPS: No further public hearings (for public comment) likely on this issue – both subcommittees likely to close this item (take final action) in the next week or two though nothing has yet been announced officially.

Mental Health

• ***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
• Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services heard mental health issues on 02/01. Kept item “open” for later action. 
• NEXT STEPS: After February 7th, no further public hearings (for public comment) likely on these issues – both subcommittees likely to close this item (take final action) in the next week or two though nothing has yet been announced officially.

Rehabilitation (Department of)

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

SSI/SSP (and likely CAPI)

• 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 item “open” for later action.
• Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services heard the SSI/SSP individual grant budget proposal on 02/03. Kept item “open” for later action. 
• NEXT STEPS: No further public hearings (for public comment) likely on this issue – both subcommittees likely to close this item (take final action) in the next week or two though nothing has yet been announced officially.

CDCAN LIST OF BUDGET HEARINGS SCHEDULED BY DATE

The following – in date order – are the budget hearings scheduled as of February 7, 2011 (Monday morning).  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 (and marked with *** for those people who have sight impairments or use screen reading devices) at those specific budget items of very high priority

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
• Literacy Program
• Special Education
• K-3 Class Size Reduction
• 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 447
(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 4202  ***note time change***
Informational Hearing – Subject: Enterprise Zones and Redevelopment and related tax programs 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 4203 (note room change)
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 (OSE) 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 Alcohol and Drug Programs (Budget Item 4200)
• Department of Community Services and Development (Budget Item 4700)
• Department of Child Support Services (Budget Item 5175)
• Department of Social Services (Budget Item 5180) – Child Welfare Services (includes adoption assistance program, foster care) and Adult Protective Services
• 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

CDCAN COMMENT:  This subcommittee could close (take final action) on several or more health budget related issues, though that is not certain at this point.  No public testimony will likely be taken at this hearing if in fact they close “open” items.  This COULD be an important hearing if the subcommittee closes out (takes final action) on critical health related budget issues.
PRIORITY: Not certain yet

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 HUMAN SERVICES
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 (the subcommittee will have more than one microphone available for public comment time to speed up the process and make it easier for people to testify)
• The subcommittee likely will take public testimony that can be made within that time frame. The subcommittee will have available during the hearing, green comment cards for people to fill out written comments in addition to or instead of making a public oral comment.   
• 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.  Like the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services hearing scheduled this same day and nearly the same time, this subcommittee also could take up some “open” health budget items – and take final action on those items, though nothing is certain or announced yet.

CDCAN ACTION ALERT:  YES – issued last 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 15, 2011 - TUESDAY

JOINT HEARING SENATE TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING COMMITTEE  AND ASSEMBLY HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
01:30 PM – State Capitol - Room 4203
Informational Hearing – Subject:  Redevelopment and Affordable Housing Finance
CDCAN COMMENT: Not actually part of the official State budget process, these issues in fact could have significant impact on many budget proposals and programs.
PRIORITY: N/A

***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