All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) is Atlanta's preeminent resource on developmental disabilities, providing support services to families for more than 55 years. We are often the one place where people with developmental disabilities can go to achieve personal empowerment, family stability and community participation. AADD provides family support; public policy and advocacy; and community engagement.
Unlock Action AlertWe have made it incredibly easy for you to help with just a click. Right now, we have set the goal for 500 emails - easily met if you take the time to help right now. Forward the link to your family and friends.
The budget would also fund 1,500 new slots for services for mentally and developmentally disabled adults and children. The Senate had wanted to fund 3,000 slots to cut into a waiting list of over 6,000 people.Brandon Larrabee with the Augusta Chronicle mentioned Unlock in his piece saying
Thousands of Georgians with disabilities will receive home health-care services and state employees will get raises of as much as 7 percent under an $18.6 billion state budget deal struck Thursday by negotiators for the House and Senate...Lawmakers who approved the spending plan said it provides 1,500 slots that will allow those with development disabilities to receive care at home, removing some from a waiting list thousands of names long.Other papers covered the budget with no mention of our funding; such as the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, WXIA-Channell 11, and the AJC.
The House and Senate announced just moments ago their agreement to fund the recommendation by the multiple year funding plan by allocating 1,500 new MRWP services with $11.58 million state dollars and to surpass the plan by funding 152 ICWP slots with $3.2 million state dollars during this year's legislative session! This is wonderful news for over a thousand people waiting right now throughout Georgia for help for these much needed services.a logjam between the House and the Senate over the spending plan for fiscal year 2007 has apparently been broken, although disagreements remain. Sen. Bill Stephens, who sits on the conference committee working on the budget, said lawmakers had backed away from the brink and the budget work should be completed Thursday. "Today we are working on numbers," said Stephens, R-Canton. Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson said negotiations could go well into the day on Friday, which could mean a late night for lawmakers who are also taking up a full calendar of bills, from one dealing with eminent domain to another cracking down on sex offenders.It has been a back room process this year, leaving advocates to only wonder about their progress. James Salzer wrote in the AJC that
House and Senate budget negotiators met for about 10 minutes Tuesday in front of a throng of lobbyists, journalists and agency officials and then went behind closed doors to consider what to do about more than 300 differences between the budgets approved by the two chambers. Typically, negotiators meet several times a day in public, formally agreeing to changes so those with a stake in how the state spends its tax revenue know what's going on. The Legislature is exempt from state open meetings laws, but it has usually observed some degree of openness on the budget at the end of the session. But not this time.Salzer quotes the Capitol's most respected legislator on historical matters, Senator Georgia Hooks, Americus-D saying that
some deals have always been cut behind closed doors by Senate or House leaders or appropriations committee chairmen. But they were formally agreed to in open meetings, in part so agency officials, concerned lobbyists and members of the public were aware of what was going on. Even when budgets have been approved in the closing minutes of a session, at least some discussion had gone on in public. "We've come in there and passed the budget at 11:30 at night, but it was not good policy," he said. "The people need to know what we're doing."We will be down there watching and waiting...check back here often for the latest news.
unusual attack from the well of the House, Speaker Glenn Richardson accused the Senate of engaging in "a power play" to gain more control of billions of dollars in state funds. "Quit playing games. Quit messing around," Richardson said to a standing ovation from House lawmakers. Minutes later, on the other side of the Capitol, Senate President pro tem Eric Johnson fired back, bringing senators to their feet. "There is an arrogance across the aisle that believes the Senate should not have a seat at the table," Johnson said.Appearantly tensions rose from disagreements on items in the judiciary and the education departments. Brandon Larrabee reports that the
senate budget writers want to spell out more clearly how the judiciary spends some administrative money and to make changes to education department budget language.Larrabee went on to report that House leaders were holding firm on the court proposal because they feel that the differences regarding are "particularly dangerous because it could threaten the separation of powers."
Advocates watched the drama from television screens outside the chamber, saying it is not uncommon to have last minute positioning by both sides to help push things along. And in fact, this very public and heated debate followed with one public meeting at 12noon where both sides exchanged budget proposals. Reports and rumors throughout the day seemed to suggest that legislators were focusing on moving legislation through the process. Perhaps in the end they remember what is at stake. The Rome paper quoted State Rep. Paul Smith, D-Rome as saying, he believes voters will show their displeasure [if the work is left unfinished]. “Being election year, everyone involved should stand up and say, ‘Hey, let’s do our jobs, because the voters are watching.’ At least, I hope so.”We do too.
UPDATE 11:50amOf all the legislation still unsettled, the state budget may be the trickiest. Leaders in both chambers definitely would like to wrap up their session this week, but may not be able to if they can’t agree on how to spend taxpayer money. ‘‘It all depends on how much progress we make on the budget,’’ Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams, R-Lyons, said when asked about the week’s schedule. Rep. Ben Harbin, R-Martinez, the House Appropriations committee chairman, said divisions on the spending plan are far sharper than they were last year — the first time since Reconstruction that Republicans controlled both the House and Senate. ‘‘We’ve got a lot of differences, not just over money but over policy,’’ he said. He said the Senate’s version of the budget, which is crafted first in the House, shifts around millions of dollars, in some cases eliminating entire state agencies and creating new ones. ‘‘Those are decisions that ought to be worked on together when they’re that big,’’ said Harbin, who said the Senate’s opening proposal removed several projects from his district in an apparent show of strength. ‘‘You can’t govern by shooting from the hip.’’These quotes are the same as in other newspapers yesterday...see previous posts. Remember, within all of this work is an election year - they want to get home! They are prohibited from beginning to campaign as long as they are in session.
The Senate version of the budget requires the Department of Community Health to conduct an analysis of Medicaid Buy In programs operational in other states and to recommend a cost-effective program to allow working Georgians with disabilities to receive healthcare through Medicaid. We fully expect the House to agree. The final step is the Budget Conference Committee, which works out House/Senate differences on the 2007 budget. If you are interested in working on the Buy In Task Force, contact Pat Puckett at the SILC.The language is a directive to the Department of Community Health to explore ways that will allow people with Disabilities to work and not lose their much needed Medicaid supports. The fact sheet developed by SILC outlines this program this way...
The purpose of a Medicaid Buy-In program is to provide people with disabilities who are working the opportunity to earn a modest income ($35,000-$45,000) and/or accumulate savings ($10,000) while maintaining needed health coverage. With this program, working people with disabilities can earn more income without the risk of losing Medicaid-related services. States have the choice to create new Medicaid eligibility categories for working people with disabilities whose earnings and/or resources would otherwise make them ineligible for Medicaid. The buy-in provision, first established in 1997, was expanded by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999.Why is having a program so important?
According to a 2004 study, only 35% of people with disabilities were employed either on a full-time or part-time basis, compared to 78% of people without disabilities. Though, not the sole cause of unemployment, the fear of losing vital healthcare benefits has a significant influence on citizens with disabilities and their decisions to work. A Georgia Medicaid Buy-In Program would assist Georgians who want to be productive taxpaying citizens. Currently, the Medicaid system unintentionally keeps some individuals from earning a significant income and/or accumulating any meaningful amount of savings. Strict guidelines pertaining to income and assets make these individuals fear losing vital health care services if they just try to earn a decent living or save toward a purchase (e.g., home). Thus, they become dependent on more services, costing taxpayers significantly. Of course, these people face negative attitudes about their ability to be economically-productive members of society. The reality is all people can contribute fiscally to their community.If you would like to be considered for the Task Force, email Pat Pucket.
hashing out versions of those plans and pulling together two drastically different drafts of the state's $18.6 billion budget is expected to mean some long days ahead at the Capitol and the possibility of the final day of the session being delayed beyond this week...."It all depends on how much progress we make on the budget," Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams, R-Lyons, said when asked about the week's schedule. Rep. Ben Harbin, R-Martinez, the House Appropriations committee chairman, said divisions on the spending plan are far sharper than they were last year _ the first time since Reconstruction that Republicans controlled both the House and Senate.Harbin went on to explain that
the Senate's version of the budget, which is crafted first in the House, shifts around millions of dollars, in some cases eliminating entire state agencies and creating new ones. "Those are decisions that ought to be worked on together when they're that big," said Harbin, who said the Senate's opening proposal removed several projects from his district in an apparent show of strength. "You can't govern by shooting from the hip."And here we sit...
The House on March 8 and the Senate on March 23 approved versions of fiscal 2007 spending slightly upward of $18.6 billion; the differences will be ironed out in a conference committee. State revenues are on an upswing after several lean years forced painful cuts or freezes on almost everyone. The 2006 budget runs out June 30; a couple of weeks ago the Legislature amended it upwards by some $444 million. Now, the plan for fiscal 2007, starting July 1, is to spend some $800 million above that. While Gov. Sonny Perdue's budget plan recommended a 2 to 4 percent raise for state troopers, GBI agents, prison guards, probation officers and others, both House and Senate decided to boost their pay by up to 7 percent. Teachers' pay will go up his recommended 4 percent and other state employees by amounts ranging from 2 to 4 percent.The paper went on to make a prediction...
The Senate should prevail in one major difference: The state has a waiting list of 6,000 for care for the mentally and developmentally disabled. The House budget would fund only 1,500 additional slots; the Senate version would come closer to meeting the shortfall with money for 3,000 slots.This is news to us...we wrote a post awhile back covering the possibility of this additional funding. But right now we are all guessing - so they could be as right as any other prediction.
In a press release, he said: “I have enjoyed my eight years of representing the folks of Valdosta and Lowndes County and I thank them for the opportunity to represent them in their General Assembly. “The many pieces of important legislation, the tax dollars we have been able to return to the people in the form of grants and projects, the infrastructure and road improvements and the building projects that have aided in the growth and development of Valdosta Technical College and Valdosta State University have had a positive and beneficial impact on South Georgia. “When I am asked to name a single piece of legislation that I authored that has had the greatest impact, locally and statewide, I would have to rank the ‘Sales Tax Holiday’ as No.1.”We already posted a report saying that Rep Mickey Channell, Greensboro-D, Butch Parrish, Swainsboro-D and Richard Royal, Camilla-D are considering switching parties. The Moultrie Observer also reported today that Rep Royal is considering making the switch.
“Everybody up here has asked me that. My standard answer is I’m keeping all my options open. After this session, I’m going home to the district. I’m going to visit with people on both sides of the aisle to help me make up my mind. I haven’t made up my mind, but I’m going to run for sure,” Rep. Richard Royal, D-Camilla, said Thursday.He went on to explain some recent frustration...
Royal said he thinks his party is moving further left and has picked bad fights during the legislative session, such as wanting the whole caucus to vote against the HOPE scholarship constitutional amendment and introducing an amendment to the budget to remove $60 million from Medicaid to increase state and teacher salaries. “This $60 million would have been devastating to elderly people, and unfortunately people who don’t have health care are without resources,” he said.Let us know if you hear any other news...
For the House: Harbin, Evans-R, Burkhalter, Alpharetta-R and Keen, St Simon Island-RThese legislators are assigned to negotiate differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget. They have already begun discussions on the differences in the House and Senate proposed FY07 budgets and hope to get their work done by Sunday night. Very ambitious...To see the differences, go to Unlock's Action Alert page.
For the Senate: Hill, Reidsville-R, Williams, Lyons-R, and Stephens, Canton-R
As expected, the spending blueprint, which passed on a 50-3 vote, makes significant changes to the budget approved by the House earlier this month. That sets the stage for a joint committee to hammer out a compromise. How quickly that panel moves could determine how long lawmakers stay in Atlanta.He, of course, mentioned the committment the Senate made in Unlock the Waiting List this year...
The Senate version of the budget includes more than 3,000 new spaces on waiting lists for programs that allow people with brain injuries or disabilities that began before age 22 to remain at home. "To me, this is a monumental step (where) we're actually putting our money and our dollars where our mouth has been and where our heart has been," said state Sen. Renee Untermann, R-Buford.We forgive him for lumping the ICWP slots into the 3,000, the 142 ICWP slots that will actually allow those with brain injuries to live in the community. I believe that this is the third time Larrabee has done such a good job covering our issues this session.
Kingston is fast becoming the king of niche media among House Republicans, proselytizing to colleagues over the last six months about the virtues of Comedy Central, the blogosphere and podcasting as routes around the mainstream media and crucial new venues for the GOP's message --- outlets that didn't even exist when Kingston was first elected to Congress in 1992.Kingston has been on the Colbert Report and Real Time with Maher, being a bit of courage and sportmanship when approaching all kinds of media to get his message out.
"If you want to reach a new audience --- Gen X and people who haven't made their political decisions --- you've got to get where they are, and that might mean Comedy Central-type stuff or it may be this new world of blogs," said Kingston, who acknowledges that success in wooing new voters can only enhance his chances of moving up in the House leadership. "Somebody who is 25 years old is much more up for grabs than somebody who is 35 and married with children," he said.But then you knew all of this didn't you? You've been coming here to get up to date information about happenings at the Capitol this year...more and more are catching on though.
Blogging, in particular, gives lawmakers a chance to reach an audience much more in tune with the issues of the day, according to Carol Darr, director of George Washington University's Institute for Politics, Democracy and the Internet. A study by the institute two years ago shows that 70 percent of those who read and post on blogs are "influentials," community leaders who through civic and political activities influence friends and neighbors.We hope to use this blog to keep you informed even aftert his session comes to a close - helping us organize and focus our message even louder to potential legislators as they run for office.
It is unusual for elected officials to openly contemplate changing parties before making up their minds. But that is exactly what state Reps. Mickey Channell of Greensboro, Larry "Butch" Parrish of Swainsboro and Richard Royal of Camilla are doing.These things become important to us if it involved a legislator who serves on a committee that oversee our budget item - such as Rep Channell, Greensboro-D. Channell serves in the House subcommittee of Appropriations that reviews both the ICWP and MRWP funding.
If any of the three were to change parties, it would bolster Republicans' 100-79 margin in the chamber. There is one independent, state Rep. Ron Dodson of Lake City.The reason for Rep Channell considering switching?
"What has kind of happened over the years is that, more and more, how I have voted all along ... winds up being on the Republican side of the ledger," said Channell, who considers himself fiscally conservative and socially moderate.Do you remember anyone that has switched in the past few year?
One of the biggest changes to the House version of the spending plan came in funding for the mentally and developmentally disabled. The state Senate added another 1,500 slots, which is expected to put a significant dent in the 6,511 person waiting list. "We wanted to unlock the waiting list," state Sen. Renee Unterman, R-Buford, said. Advocates praised the move. "They've been pretty clear that is an important issue," said David Blanchard, lobbyist for the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities. The $35.7 million in state funding will allow more people with mental and developmental disabilities receive care without going to an institution. The budget approved on Monday also provides $3.3 million for 162 ICWP slots for Georgians with physical disabilities or traumatic brain injuries.The Senate budget actually proposes 142 ICWP slots in the FY07, and with the 10 ICWP slots in the FY06, the total is 152. (162 would be nicer, but a total of 152 is wonderful!) James Salzer with the AJC also covered the budget in his article, Senate set to vote on $18.6 billion budget. It looks like we have a ways to go...
When negotiators reach a deal, it will signal the end of the 2006 session is near. Traditionally, the budget is one of the last things lawmakers agree on. House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans), said lawmakers shouldn't hold their breath hoping for a quick deal. "I think we're going to be here awhile," Harbin said.What do you think? Click COMMENTS to tell us...
Thousands of Georgians could get needed care under the state spending plan passed by the House recently, according to advocates and lawmakers.While, he is probably right about the 3,000 - see early post...your emails and phone calls are making a huge difference and we are making progress! But it is not over yet!
But not everyone is happy with the budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1. And at least one observer says the state could either be using money wisely or digging a hole for future spending plans.
House leaders and budget-writers have repeatedly trumpeted a dramatic increase in the number of slots opened up to move state residents with disabilities off of a waiting list 6,600 names long.
The plan approved by the House last week would create 1,500 new slots in community-based programs aimed at keeping those with cognitive developmental disabilities out of institutions. That's up from 750 in Gov. Sonny Perdue's budget.
Another 152 spaces would be opened up for the independent care waiver program, a similar initiative for those with traumatic brain injuries and other disabilities.
"Both those together, I think, are a step forward in dealing with the waiting lists," said Dave Blanchard, who represents the grass-roots Unlock the Waiting List Campaign at the Capitol.
Blanchard said the House budget would keep the state on track with a five-year plan to clear the waiting lists of everything except annual growth. The plan began with the current year's budget.
"It's going to take a number of years to catch up with it and get it to manageable level," he said.
The new slots are needed, supporters say, because the development disabilities waiting lists are growing at a clip of about 1,100 slots a year. Some people on the waiting list count more than once because they need multiple services from the program.
Meanwhile, the independent care waiver program had about 164 people on the waiting list last month. That means the state can almost entirely cover the current list when 10 ICWP slots added to budget for the current fiscal year ending June 30 are factored in.
A Senate subcommittee boosted the number of developmental disability slots to 3,000, though it's unclear whether that will survive the upper chamber's final version of the spending plan.
Comprehensive - 208In order for these services to be implement, there is a certain amount of infrastructure that is necessary for DHR and providers. These items would include; Intake and Evaluation costs, a small rate increase for existing Medicaid and Nonmedicaid Support Coordination services, some money for exceptional rates for individuals costing more than the current residential rate, some money available for some behavioral and consultation services, and start up money for the few individuals moving out of a institutional setting into the community.
Residential - 128
Personal Support - 164
Day Support - 530
Supported Employment - 300
Natural Support - 170
Total services - 1,500
The proposal also opens up hundreds of slots for state residents waiting to get home health care. It creates 1,500 new places in the state's mental retardation and development disabilities program, up from the 750 proposed by Gov. Sonny Perdue; about 1,000 slots for at-home services for the state's elderly, doubling Mr. Perdue's recommendation; and 152 new spaces for the independent-care waiver program for those with disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.We are very excited about the movement this issue has taken over the few weeks for the MRWP and the ICWP...Now is the perfect time for you to help! Click here to go to our website and take 5 minutes to let our State Senators know that we are a good investment.
House lawmakers also provided $10 million to help 750 mentally retarded and disabled people receive services. That's almost double the $5.3 million proposed by Perdue.They actually provided $12.040,329 for 1,500 services that will go to around 1,300 people. We also can't forget the huge step made with the ICWP so far - the House went from zero slots recommended by the Governor to 152 slots in their budget! We really appreciate the coverage and interest in our issue though from the AP...Any press is (usually) good press!
The budget was just presented for debate on the House floor. Rep. Dubose Porter, Dublin-D proposed to make cuts to the growth of Medicaid of $60 million and another $20.5 million to come from other departments so that an increase in salaries for teachers and other state employees, moving their pay raises from 4% to 5% could be funded.
Rep. Jeff Brown, LaGrange-R took the well to oppose this amendment as well as Rep. Jerry Keen, St. Simon's Island-R and Rep. Ben Harbin, Evans-R.
Speaker Glenn Richardson Dallas-R offered that the House could first vote on the proposed cut of $81.5 million and then if this amendment passed, they would take 5 minutes to give all House members a chance to propose amendments to claim that money...the proposed cut failed, and the House budget as originally proposed passed.
NOW CLICK HERE TO HELP US MOVE ON TO THE SENATE...
Dave Blanchard blogging from the Capitol.
Let us know what you think by clicking the COMMENT button below.
The '07 budget was presented just minutes ago in the House with several comments that I wanted you to know about...
Chairman Harbin, in his presentation of the budget to the House, said about the 152 ICWP slots, "I know that this is an item that you will all appreciate...and that Rep. Jeff Brown and his committee did a great job." He went on to say that "...with the 10 slots that were funded in the '06 budget, this funding is a good move..."
Regarding the funding of the 1,500 MRWP services, Chairman Harbin said that this is "an important beginning to getting the waiting lists to a manageable level...these lists are growing at over 1,100 people ever year and this funding will help these people stay in the community."
We now need to focus our efforts to the Senate QUICKLY...so go to the Unlock Website to find out how you can help right now.
And look for our Action Alerts to come to you in the next 48 hours!
Dave Blanchard blogging from the Capitol
Tell us what you think by Clicking the COMMENTS link below.
Now that the House will approve their version of the budget on Wednesday, the Senate will go through the SAME process very quickly. That means that all the work you have done over the last few weeks, needs to be done AGAIN, but directed to our list of key Senators.Chairman Ben Harbin presented the budget to the full Appropriations Committee for their approval on March 6. The full appropriations increased the funding for the 1,500 services to 9 months from the subcommittee's recommendation of 6 months! However, it is not done yet! We need you to help us ensure that the Senate does their part, click our audio post to find out more...
The state's tax revenue jumped 14.8 percent to $886.1 million in February, the Georgia Department of Revenue reported March 6. Also in February, from corporate income tax revenue skyrocketed 334.9 percent to $22.8 million, while individual income tax revenue dropped 16.7 percent to $244.8 million, sales and use tax revenue increased 10.1 percent to $473.8 million and property tax spiked 206.6 percent to $9.7 million. Through February, the state's tax revenue rose 9.9 percent to $10.6 billion. During the same period, corporate income tax revenue jumped 45.4 percent to $405.1 million, individual income tax revenue increased 8.7 percent to $5.2 billion, sales and use tax revenue went up 11.6 percent to $3.9 billion and property tax increased 7.8 percent to $64.8 million.
Advocates for the mentally retarded are challenging Attorney General Troy King's claim that "millions of dollars in additional funds" are in the proposed state budget to help mentally retarded adults on long waiting lists for treatment and housing...King sent a letter to Alabama newspapers this week, defending his decision to stop the state's proposed settlement of a lawsuit that would have required the state to pay its share of Medicaid costs for services to mentally retarded adults...The state Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation had reached a proposed settlement with families who sued over the waiting list, but King refused to approve it. King wrote that federal consent decrees, like the one proposed, "prove to be impossible to comply with, seeming to almost never end, and they ultimately divert already scarce resources."
Senator Johnson said, "If more citizens did this, I think it would help (change)the perception that nobody listens, nobody pays attention - that it's all steak dinners and golf games."To read the article click here - SavannahNOW Savannah woman gets insider experience of Legislature - 03/02/2006.
