2008 CCB Capitol Reports
as prepared by Dan Kysor, CCB Director of Governmental Affairs
May 16, 2008
Our bill to protect vital rehabilitation programs during a budget stalemate, AB 2608, Davis was heard in the Assembly Human Services Committee on Tuesday April 29, 2008
And passed unanimously. However, because of the complexities of the federal match, the assembly appropriations committee is expected to hold the bill, effectively killing it on May 19 but we’ll let you know.
Joani Patche, CCB’s education chair and Leslie Thom testified before the Senate Education Committee this last week where our bill to provide parental notification to special education pupils on the California School for the Blind, AB 2555 passed unanimously and now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
As we mentioned last week, the governor has released his budget revisions after state taxes were collected and a shortage of 16 billion deficit now plagues the state.
In addition to cuts he proposed last January: include as of July 1, 2008, a permanent 10% Medi-Cal provider rate reduction, including doctors, clinics, pharmacists, Medi-Cal equipment providers, programs including adult day health and more.
. 10% cross the board cuts with hhs comprising the largest
Elimination of some medi-cal optional benefits including:
Acupuncture, dental, audiology, optometry, chiropractor, podiatry, psychological, speech therapy
Now, he proposes much more drastic cuts:
While the Governor's previous proposal to reduce by 18% the
non-medical domestic and related services of all persons
receiving In-Home Supportive Services was rescinded and replaced
by two new proposals, and also a proposal to roll back the
State's funding (participation) of IHSS wages to the State
minimum wage that call for even larger spending reductions. The
Legislature had not yet acted on the Governor's proposal on IHSS
that he made in January.
He proposes to cut ihss wages to the minimum wage effective October 1, 2008.
The governor’s proposal for the cost of living adjustment freeze for the SSSP portion of SSI is now extended througyh 2009.
Please contact his office at 916-445-2841 and register your opposition to these budget cuts by selecting option 2 then 0 for a member of his staff who will take note of your opinion. Remember, they will only answer Monday through Friday 8 to 5 pm.
Two ada notification bills, AB 2539 and SB 1766 were voted down by the senate judiciary committee last week. However, the recent introduction of SB 1608, Corbett has disability rights advocates very concerned. The bill establishes a complicated method of allowing a building owner or tenant extra time to resolve an ada complaint and creating a special set of rules for people with disabilities other than what others must comply with
And undermines the Unruh Civil Rights Act. The bill is supported by both parties and all consumer member organizations within the disability community oppose the bill, including CCB.
The bill next will be heard in the Senate Appropriations committee on May 19.
AB 1358 (Leno) The Complete Streets Act of 2007
Will ensure that the transportation plans of California communities meet the needs of all users of the roadway including pedestrians, bicyclists, users of public transit, motorists, children, the elderly, and
the disabled.
By encouraging good planning for all modes of travel, AB 1358 will make our
roads safer and more convenient places for Californians who choose to walk, ride a bike, or take transit. Safer roads enable more people to gain the health benefits of choosing an active form of transportation, and benefit everyone by reducing traffic congestion, auto-related air pollution, and the production of climate-changing greenhouse gases.
This is a very positive bill and we will be reporting on this as it progresses.
Check with the California Connection to find out when the next Capitol Report will be
Updated and for federal legislative information, please check with the Washington Connection 800-424-8666 or the acb.org website.
May 9, 2008
Our bill to protect vital rehabilitation programs during a budget stalemate, AB 2608, Davis was heard in the Assembly Human Services Committee on Tuesday April 29, 2008
And passed unanimously. However, because of the complexities of the federal match, the assembly appropriations committee is expected to hold the bill, effectively killing it.
Joani Patche, CCB's education chair and I testified before the Assembly and Senate Education budget committees urging legislators to maintain CSB's current funding and not to reduce it by $1.3 million.
We need your help in opposing these cuts to the governor for these vital programs such as school district outreach that CSB provides.
You may want to include opposition to these other proposed cuts:
Other Budget issues-
Proposed budget reductions will include as of July 1, 2008, a permanent 10% Medi-Cal provider rate reduction, including doctors, clinics, pharmacists, Medi-Cal equipment providers, programs including adult day health and more.
. 10% cross the board cuts with hhs comprising the largest
Elimination of some medi-cal optional benefits including:
Acupuncture, dental, audiology, optometry, chiropractor, podiatry, psychological, speech therapy
18% reduction in ihss services- 6.6 hours per month cut ihss services
The elimination, effective June 1, 2008 for at least four months, the cost of living money due to the lowest income seniors, the blind and persons with disabilities for the state funded portion (SSP) of the SSI/SSP grants, and also cost of living money due to persons on CalWORKS (which includes thousands of parents and children with disabilities or other special needs)
The Governor's May budget revise will be out on May 14 and due to the projected $14 billion deficit, expect more severe cuts and a budget battle. Please contact his office at 916-445-2841 and register your opposition to these budget cuts by selecting option 2 then 0 for a member of his staff who will take note of your opinion. Remember, they will only answer Monday through Friday 8 to 5 pm.
SB 1174, Lowenthal, our quiet vehicle research funding legislation has been held up in the Senate Appropriations Committee and will hopefully pass out of committee pending fiscal review. We will keep you updated.
Meanwhile, AB 2555, Torrico, the CSB parental notification legislation moves to the
Senate Education Committee on May 14th at 9:30 a.m. in room 4203.
Contact legislators in your area to register your support for this needed legislation. The bill would provide early information to parents of blind and visually impaired children on the option of the special setting of the California School for the Blind.
Jack Scott Pasadena 626-683-0282
Mark Wyland Del Mar 949-489-9838
Elaine Alquist San Jose 408-286-8318
Jeff Denham Merced 209-577-6592
Abel Maldonado santa maria 805-549-3784
Alex Padilla los angeles 818-901-5588
Gloria romero los angeles 323-881-0100
Joe simitian palo alto 650-688-6384
Tom torlakson concord 925-602-6593
Two ada notification bills, AB 2539 and SB 1766 were voted down by the senate judiciary committee last week. However, the recent introduction of SB 1608, Corbett has disability rights advocates very concerned. The bill establishes a complicated method of allowing a building owner or tenant extra time to resolve an ada complaint and creating a special set of rules for people with disabilities other than what others must comply with
And undermines the Unruh Civil Rights Act. The bill is supported by both parties and all consumer member organizations within the disability community oppose the bill, including CCB.
The bill next will be heard in the Senate Appropriations committee.
CCB Opposes SB 1608, Corbett/Harman, Unless Amended
- The bill's intent is to solve the large problem as stated by the business community, that of reducing profiteering by unscrupulous litigants suing well meaning small businesses who may not be aware of ADA access regulations.
- Neither the bill authors nor the supporters have established the overall real problem. They have produced no such studies that finds this problem is worse than other areas of vexatious litigation law say for a mass produced form letters sent to them by a campaign conducted by the State Farm Insurance Company and isolated incidents by unscrupulous lawyers that are already covered by existing law.
- The bill would utilize a year old program, which is yet to be set up, within the Division of the State Architect to certify trained individuals in state and federal access laws known as the California Access Specialist Program, CASP. They would pre-inspect a business and certify that building as ADA compliant. The "CASP"' inspector would generate a report that the building owner/tenant would keep on file showing in progress work and already completed work on accessibility. The prescribed one to eight hours of training for CASP inspectors and CASP instructors is insufficient or not comprehensive enough to ensure that specialists will make adequate compliance determinations or that building inspectors will begin to more actively enforce access laws.
- SB 1608 will exacerbate the inherent conflict of interest in the CASP program of having critical accessibility determinations made by people paid by defendants. This will lead to company owned inspectors who would rubber stamp their client's reports as "ADA compliant".
The building owner or tenant would then receive a certificate/sign which they may post on the outside of their building notifying the public that their building is accessible. If an attorney comes around threatening to sue, the building owner/tenant then has the ability to call for an early evaluation conference and court stay giving the building owner/tenant the opportunity to meet with the person who made the complaint and a judge. The premise of the bill is that if the building owner/tenant went to the trouble of having their building inspected for ADA compliance and if the report shows that there is work being conducted that will make the building accessible or if the report shows compliance, that good faith effort is rewarded with protections to the business owner/tenant via the stay and early evaluation conference.
However, this is a very complicated method of allowing a building owner or tenant extra time to resolve an ADA complaint and creates a special set of rules for people with disabilities different than what others must comply with in other aspects of law.
General order 56 would be a better approach to the early evaluation conference.
The rule requires all parties to the dispute to participate in a full site inspection and to work out an access solution thus, saving litigation fees.
The bill would establish a "commission on disability"' based on the commission on the status of women. The commission would monitor the overall state of disability access in California as well as provide education to the public on disability access and would consist of members of the business community, the disability community and the building/architect community. We believe strongly that the Commission needs increased representation by persons with disabilities, employee organizations and labor.
Moreover, as this commission is not intended to be a business commission, it should not have such a large majority of business representatives. Without these changes, the commission may well be a rubber stamp for proposed incursions onto the rights of those with disabilities.
We believe that by adding readily achievable language to section 4450 will further bring California into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will allow inspectors to inspect for ADA compliance.
There are incentives we believe will assist greatly in barrier removal by small businesses such as tax credits and no interest loans, and that do not create potential disincentives to determine compliance prior to having a complaint brought by a litigant, as are created by this bill.
AB 1358 (Leno) The Complete Streets Act of 2007
Will ensure that the transportation plans of California communities meet the needs of all users of the roadway including pedestrians, bicyclists, users of public transit, motorists, children, the elderly, and
the disabled.
By encouraging good planning for all modes of travel, AB 1358 will make our
roads safer and more convenient places for Californians who choose to walk, ride a bike, or take transit. Safer roads enable more people to gain the health benefits of choosing an active form of transportation, and benefit everyone by reducing traffic congestion, auto-related air pollution, and the production of climate-changing greenhouse gases.
This is a very positive bill and we will be reporting on this as it progresses.
Check with the California Connection to find out when the next Capitol Report will be
Updated and for federal legislative information, please check with the Washington Connection 800-424-8666 or the acb.org website.
April 25, 2008
SB 1174, Lowenthal, our quiet vehicle research funding legislation has been held up in the Senate Appropriations Committee and will hopefully pass out of committee pending fiscal review. We will keep you updated.
Meanwhile, AB 2555, Torrico, the CSB parental notification legislation moves to the assembly floor and on to the senate education committee.
Our bill to protect vital rehabilitation programs during a budget stalemate, AB 2608, Davis will be heard in the Assembly Human Services Committee on Tuesday April 29, 2008 in room 3191 at 1:30 pm.
Please let committee members know of your support for the bill.
Jim Beall San Jose 408-282-8920
Tom Berryhill Modesto 209-576-6425
Mark De Saulnier Concord 925-372-7990
Paul Krekorian Burbank 818-240-6330
Todd Spitzer Orange 714-998-0980
A $1.3 million budget cut to the California School for the Blind is being proposed by the Governor.
We need your help in opposing these cuts to the vital programs such as school district outreach that CSB provides.
Two important hearings on Tuesday April 29th will be taking place at the state capitol.
The first will be before the Assembly Sub-budget committee #2 in room 444 at 9 a.m. You may contact the committee at 916-319-2093 and letting them know how important this educational setting is.
2. 1:30 pm in room 113 Senate Budget Subcommittee #1
You may register your opposition to the CSB cuts by phone 916-651-4103
Other Budget issues-
Proposed budget reductions will include as of July 1, 2008, a permanent 10% Medi-Cal provider rate reduction, including doctors, clinics, pharmacists, Medi-Cal equipment providers, programs including adult day health and more.
. 10% cross the board cuts with hhs comprising the largest
Elimination of some medi-cal optional benefits including:
Acupuncture, dental, audiology, optometry, chiropractor, podiatry, psychological, speech therapy
18% reduction in ihss services- 6.6 hours per month cut ihss services
The elimination, effective June 1, 2008 for at least four months, the cost of living money due to the lowest income seniors, the blind and persons with disabilities for the state funded portion (SSP) of the SSI/SSP grants, and also cost of living money due to persons on CalWORKS (which includes thousands of parents and children with disabilities or other special needs)
The Governor's May budget revise will be out on May 14 and due to the projected $14 billion deficit, expect more severe cuts and a budget battle.
Thanks to all who attended our very successful capitol day during our last ccb convention. We had twice as many members show up, over thirty. We hope to have an even larger event next april 1st as we will be using a bus from the hotel to the capitol.
Many of our members actually got to meet with their legislators so congradulations to all for a very successful capitol day.
Check with the California Connection to find out when the next Capitol Report will be
Updated and for federal legislative information, please check with the Washington Connection 800-424-8666 or the acb.org website.
March 24, 2008
We are please to announce the introduction of three bills before the California legislature based upon CCB resolutions and initiatives.
First, we are proud to announce the introduction of SB 1174 by Alan Lowenthal, Senator from (D) Long Beach. The bill calls for research into making quiet fuel cell, hybrid and electric type vehicles safer with respect to street crossings by blind and visually impaired pedestrians.
Our second bill is AB 2555 by Alberto Torrico (D) of Fremont. The bill seeks to add language to perspective blind and visually impaired special education pupils and their parents regarding notification of the option of the California School for the Blind.
This bill will be heard in the Assembly Education Committee on April 2 at 1:30 in room 4202 of the state capitol.
Existing law is not clear on the notification to parents about the California School for the Blind. This bill seeks to provide parents of blind or visually impaired pupils, information on the option of the California School for the Blind as a possible appropriate special setting when the pupil first enters the special educational system.
We hope to see you at the hearing if possible.
Please send your letters or telephone support to members of the assembly education committee.
- Gene Mullin, Chair
Room 2163
Capitol Building
Sacramento, Ca. 95814
Tel 916-319-2019
- Martin Garrick (Vice Chair)
Room 2016
Capitol Building
Sacramento, Ca. 95814
Tel 916-319-2074
- Julia Brownley
Room 6011
Capitol Building
Sacramento, Ca. 95814
- Joe Coto
Room 2013
Capitol Building
Sacramento, Ca. 95814
Tel 916-319-2041
- Mike Eng
Room 6025
Capitol Building
Sacramento, Ca. 95814
Tel 916-319-2049
- Loni Hancock
Room 4126
Capitol Building
Sacramento, Ca. 95814
Tel 916-319-2014
- Bob Huff
Room 4098
Capitol Building
Sacramento, Ca. 95814
Tel 916-319-2060
- Betty Karnett
Room 2136
Capitol Building
Sacramento, Ca. 95814
Tel 916-319-2054
- Alan Nakanishi
Room 5175
Capitol Building
Sacramento, Ca. 95814
Tel 916-319-2010
- Jose Solorio
Room 2196
Capitol Building
Sacramento, Ca. 95814
Tel 916-319-2069
Please send your letter or call and support this necessary legislation.
For further information, contact Dan Kysor at 916-441-2100.
Finally, AB 2608 by Mike Davis (D) of Los Angeles seeks to protect programs within the Department of Rehabilitation from being impacted during a possible 2008 budget stalemate.
We will need your support on getting these important measures through the legislature.
March 13, 2008
Legislative Alert! Legislative Alert!
TO: Members of the Association of CA State Employees with
Disabilities
(ACSED)
(formerly Disabled in State Service (DISS)), and other
disability rights advocates
FROM: Pat McPartland, ACSED Legislative Coordinator
SUBJECT: Oppose Dept of Rehab Budget Cuts. Letters and hearing
attendance needed!
Action Needed
A proposal for a 10% cut to the Dept. of Rehabilitation budget
will be considered in the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 April 2, 2008.
Please send letters by U.S Mail or FAX (preferred), or by e-mail as soon
as possible to the committee members listed below to oppose these
cuts. A sample letter is included for your use. Also if at all possible
please plan to attend the hearing and testify. It is very important to
make our voices heard and our bodies seen to preserve these very important
job services.
The hearing will be April 2, 2008, at 1:30 PM in Room 444 of the
State Capitol.
Background
These cuts would have a huge negative impact on the employment of
persons with disabilities. People currently not working would
have less access to the services that help them to become employed, and
people currently working who acquire new disabilities would be hampered
from obtaining vocational rehabilitation services to retain
employment.
The cuts would also hurt the implementation of the Governor's
Exec Order S-4-05 to increase employment of people with disabilities in
state government. ACSED is working hard to help this implementation,
and DOR is one of the designated lead partners.
DOR gets most of its money from the federal government and it is
about 80% federal funds and 20% state general funds (GF). So, a 10% GF
cut really is multiplied to about 5 times that.
Specific Cuts
Here are some specifics on the proposed cuts to DOR:
$3.4 million cut from the General Fund in 2008-2009, and $5.7
Million after that.
Authority to spend $3 .6 million in federal funds will be cut.
Reductions are expected to affect rates paid to agencies
providing vocational rehab (VR) services in 3 areas:
- 10% reduction in the Supported Employment Programs (SEP)
- 10 % reduction to other Community Rehabilitation programs
which are mostly non-profit agencies serving people who are blind and
visually impaired, deaf and hard of hearing and who have a variety of
other disabilities. It is my understanding that these programs have
had rates frozen for a number of years already.
- 10% cut to individual service providers who may be readers,
attendants, drivers, or provide a variety of other VR services
one-on-one to rehab consumers.
In addition, the reduction may lead DOR to have to close 10-15 of
its 85 Field Offices. They closed a number of offices in the last
budget crisis. Closed offices means further distance for consumers to
travel for services, confusion, and less access to services in the
community, especially in rural or underserved areas.
Finally, travel and training will be cut dramatically at a time
when DOR is under pressure from its federal control agency to increase the
levels of training for counselors.
Following is a sample letter for your use. You can use it as is,
or add a paragraph on your personal situation or particular cuts you are
especially concerned about, or use the letter as a basis for your
own letter.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me
or contact Assembly Budget Subcommittee 1 on Human Services
Patty Berg, Chair 916-319-2001
Jim Beall 916-319-2024
John Benoit 916-319-2064
Hector De La Torre 916-319-2050
Ed Hernandez 916-319-2057
John Laird 916-319-2027
Roger Niello 916-319-05
Bill Maze 916-319-2034
Thank you for your action and support!
Check with the California Connection to find out when the next Capitol Report will be
Updated and for federal legislative information, please check with the Washington Connection 800-424-8666 or the acb.org website.
February 29, 2008
We are please to announce the introduction of three bills before the California legislature based upon CCB resolutions and initiatives.
First, we are proud to announce the introduction of SB 1174 by Alan Lowenthal, Senator from (D) Long Beach. The bill calls for research into making quiet fuel cell, hybrid and electric type vehicles safer with respect to street crossings by blind and visually impaired pedestrians.
Our second bill is AB 2555 by Alberto Torrico (D) of Fremont. The bill seeks to add language to perspective blind and visually impaired special education pupils and their parents notification of the option of the California School for the Blind.
Finally, AB 2608 by Mike Davis (D) of Los Angeles seeks to protect programs within the Department of Rehabilitation from being impacted during a possible 2008 budget stalemate.
We will need your support on getting these important measures through the legislature.
Governmental affairs committee members will be contacted soon for a committee meeting conference call soon.
The upcoming Capitol Day will be held during our spring convention on Thursday April 10, 2008 at 10 a.m. in room 115 at the state capitol. This is on the senate side of the capitol (n street).
We will be leaving for the capitol at 9:30 that morning from the hotel lobby. Please prepare in advance by contacting your legislature for appointments. If you require assistance in finding your legislator, contact the governmental affairs office after 10 or before 4 weekdays 800-221-6359 or go to www.leginfo.ca.gov and click on your legislature and type in your zipcode in the edit box.
Check with the California Connection to find out when the next Capitol Report will be
Updated and for federal legislative information, please check with the Washington Connection 800-424-8666 or the acb.org website.
February 1, 2008
We're following many issues including the governor's budget proposals for 2008-09.
The big news this session of course is the budget cuts proposed by the Governor. Remember, these are proposals that must go through the legislature.
The budget bill proposes a 10% cross the board cut. In particular, health and human services cuts comprise the largest cuts.
Medi-cal will take the biggest hit with some of the following optional benefits proposed to be completely eliminated:
acupuncture, dental, audiology, optometry, optical, chiropractic,
podiatry, psychology, and speech therapy.
Medi-Cal Share of Cost: Reduction of $4.2 million in the 2007-2008 State Budget year and another $50.1 million in 2008-2009 State Budget year by eliminating
the payment of Medicare Part B premiums for persons who are Medi-Cal share-of-cost beneficiaries who do not become Medi-Cal certified by meeting their
share-of-cost during the month. These are persons eligible for Medi-Cal but have adjusted income that exceeds 129% of the Federal Poverty Level and have
not spent down their excess income. They will have the option to pay their own premiums to maintain their Medicare Part B benefits.
Although no wage reductions are proposed for in-home support services workers, a 6.6 hour per month cut in ihss hours is being proposed.
Rehabilitation services will be cut by 10%. We have been unable to get specifics on these cuts.
SSI and SSP benefits will be maintained but there will be no consideration of a cost of living adjustment for june of 08 and june of 09.
CCB has been active in speaking out on these cuts at the subcommittee levels on all of these issues.
The full senate budget and Fiscal Review Committee, chaired by San Diego Senator Denise Ducheny will hear these issues on Monday February 4, 2008 at 1 pm in room 4203. You can also contact the committee via phone to register your opposition to these detrimental medi-cal, ihss and other cutbacks at 916-651-4103.
The assembly health and human services committee will also be meeting at the same time to hear final comments on these medi-cal cuts in room 4202.
To register your opposition to not only the medi-cal cuts but ssp freezing of the cost of living adjustment through 2009, contact the committee at 916-319-2099.
CCB has an author for our landmark legislation calling for research into ways of making quiet vehicles safer for blind and visually impaired pedestrians.
Senator Alan Lowenthal of Long Beach not only will be introducing this legislation but has agreed to introduce a senate joint resolution calling upon the federal government to begin similar research.
We'll let you know when we have a bill number.
The bill calling for a medi-cal exemption for working disabled has been re-introduced following last year's veto of ab 1113, the bill, AB 851 has addressed concerns mentioned in the veto message. CCB is in strong support of this measure.
The bill has been held up in the Assembly appropriations and it is unclear if it will be released to the floor or go on suspence due to fiscal concerns.
Senator Torlakson has amended SB 441, nutritious products in vending machines on state property. He has worked with CCB and the Randolph Sheppard Vendors of California and the Vendors Policy Committee and met many of the vendors concerns to the point where CCB and RSVC are now supporting the measure.
This version of the bill eliminates the reporting requirements and surveying of customers and excludes dairy and includes peanuts. The vendors are pleased that the Senator is finally listening to their concerns.
The bill now moves to the other house and will be heard in the assembly next month.
Two of last years bills have been pulled by their respective authors; SB 168, Denham calling for a education taskforce to examine physical education standards for blind pupils and AB 1566, Neillo, a bill which would have called for the privatization of the business enterprise program for the blind's "roadside rest stops"'.
Members who wish to have a letter in their name delivered to the California congressional delegation, contact Ardis Bazyn who will simply add your name on a letter supporting the a.c.b. 2008 legislative imperatives.
Contact ardis at 818-818-238-9321 or email her at abazyn@bazyncommunications.com
FYI, here are the 2008 ACB imperatives:
Legislative Seminar Imperatives
Digital TV Transition and COAT Draft Legislation
On February 17, 2009 the entire country will transition to digital television. The COAT draft legislation seeks to insure that video description is not only mandated but that it is available for pass-through in the digital era.
Pedestrian Safety
Many of us have encountered challenges over the past few years with detecting the movement of hybrids and other quiet vehicles. ACB has crafted proposed legislative language that calls for federal research to be conducted to provide and implement recommendations that would increase blind pedestrian safety on streets and sidewalks.
Website Accessibility
The blindness community has been waiting for the Department of Justice as part of its update of the ADA to propose regulations to those public accommodations which only conduct business via the web or offer services via the web that are not similarly offered at their physical places of business, such as retail stores. The Office of Management and Budget has recently rejected DOJ's proposed regulatory language concerning this very issue. Given this rejection, ACB is seeking a legislative solution.
Randolph-Sheppard
ACB is working with a coalition of organizations to arrange a briefing for members of Congress and their staff regarding the hot issues of the day with in the program and to provide a better explanation of what Randolph-Sheppard does to positively benefit individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Check with the California Connection to find out when the next Capitol Report will be
Updated and for federal legislative information, please check with the Washington Connection 800-424-8666 or the acb.org website.
January 11, 2008
The legislature is back in session for the second half of the 2007-2008 season. We are following many issues including the new release of Governor Schwarzenegger's budget proposals for 2008.
The big news this session of course is the budget cuts proposed by the Governor. Remember, these are proposals that must go through the legislature. The budget bill, ABX1 proposes a 10% cross the board cut. In particular, health and human services cuts amounts for the largest cuts. Medi-cal will take the biggest hit with some of the following optional benefits proposed to be cut: acupuncture, dental, audiology, optometry, optical, chiropractic, podiatry, psychology, and speech therapy. Medi-Cal Share of Cost: Reduction of $4.2 million in the 2007-2008 State Budget year and another $50.1 million in 2008-2009 State Budget year by eliminating the payment of Medicare Part B premiums for persons who are Medi-Cal share-of-cost beneficiaries who do not become Medi-Cal certified by meeting their share-of-cost during the month. These are persons eligible for Medi-Cal but have adjusted income that exceeds 129% of the Federal Poverty Level and have not spent down their excess income. They will have the option to pay their own premiums to maintain their Medicare Part B benefits. Although no wage reductions are proposed for in-home support services workers, a 6 hour per month cut in hours is being proposed. Rehabilitation services will be cut by 10%. SSI and SSP benefits will be maintained but there will be no consideration of a cost of living adjustment for june of 08 and june of 09. We will keep you informed.
The bill calling for a medi-cal exemption for working disabled has been re-introduced following last year's veto of ab 1113, the bill, AB 851 has addressed concerns mentioned in the veto message. CCB is in strong support of this measure.
Two of last years bills have been pulled by their respective authors; SB 168, Denham calling for a education taskforce to examine physical education standards for blind pupils and AB 1566, Neillo, a bill which would have called for the privatization of the business enterprise program for the blind's "roadside rest stops"'.
SB 441, Torlakson passed out of the Senate Governmental Organizations Committee and now moves to the Senate floor. The bill calls for vending machines on state property to have 35% nutritious product. However, the bill has been greatly amended but at this time, we are still in opposition to the bill.
CCB is working on the introduction of several bills this session from parental notification at the school for the blind to research funding for quiet cars. We'll keep you informed in future reports.
Members who wish to have a letter in their name delivered to the California congressional delegation, contact Ardis Bazyn who will simply add your name on a letter supporting the ACB 2008 legislative imperatives. Contact Ardis at 818-818-238-9321 or email her at abazyn@bazyncommunications.com
FYI, here are the 2008 ACB imperatives:
Legislative Seminar Imperatives
Digital TV Transition and COAT Draft Legislation
On February 17, 2009 the entire country will transition to digital television. The COAT draft legislation seeks to insure that video description is not only mandated but that it is available for pass-through in the digital era.
Pedestrian Safety
Many of us have encountered challenges over the past few years with detecting the movement of hybrids and other quiet vehicles. ACB has crafted proposed legislative language that calls for federal research to be conducted to provide and implement recommendations that would increase blind pedestrian safety on streets and sidewalks.
Website Accessibility
The blindness community has been waiting for the Department of Justice as part of its update of the ADA to propose regulations to those public accommodations which only conduct business via the web or offer services via the web that are not similarly offered at their physical places of business, such as retail stores. The Office of Management and Budget has recently rejected DOJ's proposed regulatory language concerning this very issue. Given this rejection, ACB is seeking a legislative solution.
Randolph-Sheppard
ACB is working with a coalition of organizations to arrange a briefing for members of Congress and their staff regarding the hot issues of the day with in the program and to provide a better explanation of what Randolph-Sheppard does to positively benefit individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Eric Bridges
Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs
American Council of the Blind
Phone: (202) 467-5081
Fax: (202) 467-5085
Check with the California Connection to find out when the next Capitol Report will be updated and for federal legislative information, please check with the Washington Connection 800-424-8666 or the acb.org website.
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