Monday Morning Update

Good Monday Morning to you!
Significant events from last week:

1- HB 2593 (the act to amend the alcohol tax by increasing taxes on alcohol and directing the revenue to a newly created Developmental Disability supplemental programs fee fund and Community Mental Health fund) had a hearing in the Tax Committee.

· This bill basically doubles the taxes on liquor. This tax hasn’t been increased since 1977.

· Proponents of the bill did a good job addressing how cuts during the past few years have been devastating to their agencies and how revenue collected as a result of this bill would be used.

· JCDS Executive Director, Maury Thompson testified on behalf of Developmental Disability agencies.

· The bill would be earmarked for Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health and estimated to bring in an additional $22 million. The revenue would be split between the two newly created fee funds.

· Liquor and Restaurant lobbyists spoke about the ill effects this tax would have on their industries.

· Fear that residents of Kansas would go to neighboring states to purchase alcohol was a major focus of the opposition’s testimony.

· This morning as I was watching Channel 9 News, information about this bill scrolled along the bottom of the screen. No mention of how the revenue would benefit DD or MH, so my guess is that the Lobbyists are working really hard to get the community riled up!

· The next step is just a “wait and see” as to what the Committee will choose to do with this bill. They can sit on it or decide to send it on to the House for a vote. Since it is a tax increase, I wouldn’t look for it to move anywhere for the next couple of months. The Legislature isn’t really addressing tax increases---yet!

· Click HERE to read the Kansas City Star article from Saturday’s paper discussing this tax bill.

2- The 2010 Rescission bill is in the final stages of making sure all the I’s are dotted and the T’s are crossed. News is that the bill will be going to the Governor for his signature soon. The Governor is not expected to sit on it. Time to get busy on the 2011 budget.

3- I want to clarify that the 10% SGF/Medicaid swap from the Rescission bill only affects the HCBS MR/DD Waiver. Targeted Case Management is not part of this waiver.

4- Several Case Managers have sent news that many durable medical equipment providers (think wheelchairs and similar types of equipment) have decided to longer take Medicaid. With their 10% pay reduction, they are losing money and have decided to get out of the Medicaid business. This will be perilous for individuals needing updated or new equipment.

5- My highlight of the week was when I was forwarded a letter from a father to the Governor. This father has a son with significant disabilities. The son is fortunate to have Day Services but the father wrote on behalf of those that don’t. I’d like to share part of the letter:

“Extremely disconcerting to me is the fact that thousands of individuals are on waiting lists for similar opportunities, because the state of Kansas cannot find ways for adequate funding to these services. It seems to me that the leadership of our state should be trying to find ways to adequately fund these programs instead of applying its leadership in trying to do away with them. There are thousands of Kansas citizens with handicaps severe enough that their families and the individuals themselves need these services. Is there any chance that you or any one of our elected officials can step up and advocate strongly for them?”


Your TO DO list for the week:

1-Sit down, put your feet up and get a cup of hot coffee or ice cold beverage. Now that you’re comfortable, how would you respond if your legislator asked you this question?

“Would you be willing to pay more taxes, if those taxes would be used to fund DD services?”

· With the financial woes of the State, revenue enhancements (taxes) are about our only option.

· Legislators are under the belief that no one wants to pay more taxes. What is your opinion?

2-Send off your www.invisiblekansans.org letter! Keep those emails going!

Until next week!

Warm Regards,
Lurena Mead