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SENATE BUDGET MATERIALS
C CARES BASIC SENATE MESSAGE Please use the template of KEY SENATE MESSAGES in this link or below as much as possible in your work with Senators. Your message is much stronger when Senators hear this same basic message from many different advocates supporting many different people and services. KEY SENATE MESSAGES to USE 1. We are in the midst of a perfect storm. At the same time the state is facing this budget challenge, an unprecedented number of people need help because of the economic recession. (Give examples)
2. Our state’s human service infrastructure is the front line in responding to your constituent’s needs – especially now – during the deepest recession since the Great Depression.
3. We realize times are tough and we are doing things differently. We are taking action within our own organization to reduce expenses and help more people, like (give examples). But as the recession lengthens and deepens, we are facing an unprecedented need for essential citizen services.
4. We need the Senate to do all it can to find the revenues to help us meet these needs. Helping our most vulnerable citizens and ensuring their safety is one of state government’s fundamental responsibilities. We’re all going to have to pull together. We share the same goals: serving our citizens and doing our best to do what is best.
5. The House Budget was a step in the right direction in adding to needed DHHS funding and revenues, but we need to do better.
6. Here are the most damaging holes in the House Budget that need to be fixed (list) ____________________________.
7. You need to be absolutely sure you protect (list)__________.
CARES PRIORITY ADDS for the SENATE BUDGET The last day for the Senate to act on the budget is is June 4th - but the Senate usually makes most of its big decisions earlier in its process than the House. This means the next 3-4 weeks are critical to making sure Senate Finance understands the most damaging holes in the House DHHS Budget and that they have your solution and request for a specific amount of additional funds to eliminate them. CARES LIST of CRITICAL DHHS ADDS NEEDED in SENATE (Please come to meeting if you feel we have missed any.) ALL DHHS - Eliminate Across-the-Board 1.25% GF Cut BBH - Community Mental Health Services funding for caseload increases DCYF - Unrealistic Court Ordered Services $8m cut based on less need DFA - Insufficient TANF for enrollment growth & families keeping SSI BDS - FY 2011 Funding (now 0$) for DD Waitlist BDS - FY 2010-2011 Funding (now 0$) for Brain Injury Waitlist BEAS - Restore Maintenance funding for Volunteers & Community Services BEAS/OMBP- Home Health Rate increase to keep community option viable BEAS/OMBP - Personal Care Attendant Rate increase to keep viable OMBP - Restore $877K in Direct Medical Education OMBP - Elimination of FY 2009 Hospital Rate Reductions to 54% of cost OMBP - Fund New Enrollment Increases in Medicaid from recession. CARES LIST of GF HOUSE ADDS the SENATE MUST KEEP (See also House Budget Tab ADDS to the DHHS BUDGET ) DCYF - Keep Restoration of County Youth Diversion Funds to 4.5% DCYF - Maintain Family Resource Centers at $120k/year DFA - Maintain Home Visiting Program at $550k/year DFA - Keep Elimination of HB2 Sections Counting SSI Against TANF BEAS - Maintain Catastrophic Illness Program at $1.2m 09 Level BEAS - Maintain 1/3 Restoration of Volunteer Programs (needed for fed match) DPH - Keep Restoration of $2m to Comprehensive Cancer Plan DPH - Keep Restoration of $1.5m to Family Planning to near 09 level DPH - Keep Add Back of $900k General Funds to Childhood Lead Program BBH - Keep $160k Restoration of Family Mutual Support Suicide Prevention BDS - Keep $8m add to FY 2010 (non lapsing) Dev. Services Waitlist OMBP - Keep Indirect Medical Education at $3.6m OMBP - Keep CHaD Intensive Pediatric Care Rate Add at $3.5m OMBP - Keep New Targeting in Hospital Catastrophic Care Program DCBCS-BDAS - Keep Restoration of $2.6m to Gov Commission AOD Prog ALL - No Further Cuts from House in Safety Net Programs
Senate Finance Committee Members are: Sen. D'Allesandro, Chair Sen. Janeway, Vice-Chair Sens. Larsen, Hassan, Gallus, Sgambati** and Odell ** ** Division III H&HS Subcommittee Senate Ways and Means Committee Members are: Senator Odell, Chair Senator D'Allesandro, Vice Chair Sens. Janeway, Reynolds, Gilmour, Denley, and Downing.
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