Content about California Work Opportunities and Responsibilities to Kids

Meanwhile the State budget process inches forward with an important hearing focusing on the Governor’s proposals impacting the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP), the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, the Department of Rehabilitation and CalWORKS program, Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment (SSI/SSP), CalFresh (State food stamp program)

Governor Jerry Brown released his proposed 2012-2013 State Budget plan which calls for a staggering $4 billion in additional spending cuts and nearly $7 billion in new revenues from temporary tax increases on the state's wealthiest taxpayers and a one-half percent increase in the state's sales tax. The revenues would help close what the Governor said is a projected $9.2 billion budget deficit.

In addition to signing early this afternoon SB 87, the main State budget bill for 2011-2012 passed by legislative Democrats on a strict party-line majority vote, Governor Brown also signed into law 10 budget "trailer" bills, including three dealing with the so-called "trigger cuts" that are linked to about $2.5 billion in additional spending cuts to go into effect sometime after January 2012 if a certain level of revenues do not come into the State treasury as hoped for in the budget. 

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services released this afternoon a 36 page agenda for the May 24th (Tuesday afternoon) budget hearing that will focus on the Governor’s budget revisions.   The 36 page agenda is attached to this CDCAN Report.  A summary of the agenda is also printed below.

Governor Brown signed into law several budget related bills that authorize changes in State law to implement at least $8 billion in cuts in State general fund spending, including over $6 billion in cuts to health and human services impacting children and adults with disabilities, mental health needs, the blind, seniors, their families, community organizations and individual support workers and low income families across California.

The California Legislature took a major step in what it hopes will help to solve the State’s enormous budget crisis, by approving several of the budget related bills dealing with over $6 billion in cuts in State general fund spending to health and human services and reductions in general government that largely follow the Governor’s proposed reductions.

Both Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John Perez announced the State Senate and Assembly will convene Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 PM to vote on Governor Brown’s proposed budget for 2011-2012, as modified by the Budget Conference Committee.  The plan still lacks any support from legislative Republicans.

The  Budget Conference Committee voted to approve the Governor’s proposal to eliminate the Adult Day Health Care program.  The committee also took action to appropriate $85 million to transition people into a “new” version of the program.  The committee also approved major new reductions on CalWORKS, Medi-Cal, elimination of redevelopment agencies and an additional $50 million reduction in state general fund spending to developmental services.

The Assembly Budget Committee and the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee will hold their final crucial hearings today (February 18th, Friday) on Governor Brown’s proposed 2011-2012 State Budget plan including actions on proposed cuts to In-Home Supportive Services, Adult Day Health Care, and CalWORKS.

The Senate Budget Committee rejects the Governor's proposal to eliminate Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) but okays $5 million cut.  It also approved an individual grant cut to Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment.  Senate Budget Panel rolls back the Governor's proposed cut to foster youth Transitional Housing Program Plus from $19 million to $5 million.

The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, chaired by Sen. Mark Leno (Democrat – San Francisco, 3rd State Senate District), released a 53 page agenda this evening for the next scheduled hearing on February 17, Thursday morning at 10:00 AM (note time change from 09:00 AM), at the State Capitol in Room 4203.  The agenda – a pdf file saved as a document (which can be read by persons who are blind or sight impaired using a screen reading device) is attached to this report.

Final week for public comment on Governor's budget proposals, Senate Subcommittee hears child welfare services issues February 8th and developmental services February 10th.