Monday Morning Update

Monday Morning Greetings!

Welcome to the “Dance of Government” with one step forward and two steps back!

Forward
1- Last Friday Governor Parkinson signed into law Senate Substitute for House Bill 2222 – also known as the FY 2010 ‘Rescission Bill’. The bill included the amendment which shifted DD state funds to cover the 10% cut in the HCBS DD Waiver.

Back
1- Just when we thought that FY ’10 was taken care of, monthly revenue for February was released. It was less than expected causing the State to be $105 million in the red.
2- The Governor held a press conference last Friday and announced additional cuts, shuffles and savings worth $85 million.

Forward
1- The Governor did as he promised earlier, and did not touch Social Services or Education in his cuts.

Back
1- The biggest chunk of dollars came from the State Highway Fund set aside for highway maintenance. Don’t bother getting your tires balanced.
2- Two of the Governor’s suggestions can be done without Legislative approval and the other four recommendations require action from the Legislature. We have all witnessed how well this Legislature works together…

Forward
1- A sub-committee of the Senate Ways and Means Committee held hearings last week on the effects of cuts to the DD and MH (mental health) system.

Back
1- One of the conferees was a parent from the Wichita area. In my opinion, her testimony was caustic, accusatory and disrespectful of the Senators on the Committee. Providing a truthful testimony and an insolent testimony are two different things. Something for us to remember if we are ever asked to provide testimony.
2- Questions were asked how not-for-profit organizations would fare if their tax exemptions were taken away. Agencies were put on the spot. Do they risk agreeing to an elimination of their tax exemption for a potential chance that the State would put more dollars into the DD or MH system? Hard question to answer when businesses are struggling so.

Forward
1- The last question asked by the Chair of this subcommittee was “Have you talked to your business leaders and Legislators about raising taxes?” Most individuals providing testimony reported to have planted the seed.

Enough of that, I’m getting dizzy! No more steps “back” for this one!


Your TO DO list this week:

1- Give yourself a pat on the back. MANY of you wrote Representatives Yoder and Merrick last week as a result of Wednesday’s ‘call to action’. I know they heard your message but hope they share your message with the Appropriations Committee.

2- During Governor Parkinson’s latest round of cuts he said “We cannot balance the next budget or protect our schools, public safety and safety net services without new revenue. I look forward to the Legislature to coming to the table, putting politics aside, and raising the revenue we need to get Kansas back on track.”

Talk to your family, friends, neighbors, business partners and Legislators about the importance of increasing taxes. I know It’s not ideal, but neither is remaining on a waiting list of 4300 individuals, provider pay equal to that of a fast food worker or cuts so deep that companies/individuals can’t remain in business.

Let’s go to the dance, but let’s take the lead!


Warm Regards,
Lurena Mead

“You just need to be a flea against injustice. Enough committed fleas biting strategically can make ever the biggest dog uncomfortable and transform even the biggest nation.” --- Marian Wright Edelman

Johnson County Sun opinion column

Click on the link to read the Johnson County opinion column on Kansas' budget crisis.
http://sunpublications.com/201003033843/opinion/kansans-caught-in-budget-squeeze.html

Kansas City Star opinion column

Click on the link to read the latest KC Star opinion column on Kansas and Missouri state budgets.
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/03/03/1787321/giveways-are-too-costly-states.html

You know, some things can really make your day. A parent sent this link to me, and I must confess...it made my day! Hope you enjoy it too!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngzyhnkT_jY

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

Why Autism in a gift

CNN interviewed Temple Grandin, a professor at Colorado State University who sees her autism as a gift, not a disability. Her life is the subject of a new HBO film starring Claire Danes. Check out the video!
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/01/temple.grandin.ted/index.html?hpt=C2

Kansas City Star article

Click HERE to read the Kansas City Star article on increasing the tax on liquor to fund disability programs.