Athens paper reports that Rep Channell may jump to Republican

This morning the Athens Banner-Herald is reporting that at least three legislators are already considering switching parties.

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.

Legislators switching is also an important issues when it affects the number of legislators that make up the majority...

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?

AccessNorthGa.com mentioned our Efforts!

Shannon McCaffery with the Associated Press wrote this really nice piece with the AccessNorthGa.com - Senate budget increases funding for disabled, law enforcement on the Senate Appropriation Committee voting the budget out of committee yesterday

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...

Senate Pushes for 3000 MRWP services

This morning, the Full Appropriations Committee of the Senate approved their recommendations for the budget for FY07. The chair of the Subcommitee on Human Development, Senator Rene Unterman(R-Buford), recommended 3,000 MRWP waiver services for the FY 07 budget. As she introduced her budget recommendations, Sen. Unternman commented that their "number one priority this year is to unlock the waiting lists." For the ICWP, 142 slots were added for the FY07 budget, with 10 slots already approved for the FY 06. Senator Greg Goggans(R-Douglas) said that this committment "represents a tremendous dent in the waiting lists this year." Going on to say that they "remain dedicated to these individuals."

We expect the budget will move on to the full Senate for a vote quickly - more than likely this week. Your advocacy is working! Following the vote by the full Senate, the budget will go the budget conference committee which is made up of three members of the house and three members of the Senate and then on to the Governor.

Thank you for continuing to write, call and email. We are in a holding pattern until the Senate votes. We will report back as soon as we have more information.

What do you think about the level of committment that the Senate is showing the disability community today?

Continued Responses from Legislators

These are responses to you from legislators regarding the Unlock the Waiting Lists legislative agenda. If you have not sent your emails, letters or made your phone calls, go to our Action Alert page. To see other responses from legislators to constituents, go to previous blog entries or click here to see their responses to the Unlock the Waiting Lists Survey. Some legislators that we recently added include:

March 16th
I am doing all that I can for this critical issue. Send me back for another term and I will have some seniority to be of more help. God bless you and yours.

Representative Dan Lakly, Peachtree City-R

March 15th
You are right on.

Fran R. Millar, Dunwoody-R

March 15th
Continue to advocate for those who need it the most. I will continue being the voice and the conscience for those who are in need. Thank you for caring.

Senator Regina Thomas, Savannah-D

March 13th
Thank you for your advocacy. I will do my best to help.

Senator Regina Thomas, Savannah-D

March 10th
Thanks for your e-mail. We just passed this appropriation this week in the House and I have already spoken with some of the Senators to encourage them to keep it in the final budget.

Representative Ellis Black, Valdosta-D

March 10th
Been behind but catching up....think we helped the Katie Beckett parents and am now looking to help unlock the waiting list.

Senator Jack Hill, Reidsville-R

March 13th
Continue to advocate. I will too. You are appreciated.

Senator Regina Thomas, Savannah-D

March 9th
They are in the House version of the 2007 budget. Now we have to go to the Senate and make sure they stay in there.

Representative Billy Horne, Newnan-R


March 9th
I was sent here to be the voice for the voiceless and to take care of the weak. The bible says that..we are to bear the infirmities of the weak. Continue to advocate for what's right and just not what's left.

Senator Regina Thomas, Savannah-D

March 8th
We are working to increase sevices and hoep to be able to cover you soon.

Senator Jack Hill, Reidsville-R

March 8th
Thank you so much for contacting me about an issue of concern. My office receives hundreds of emails. Please know that we review each and every note. However, it is not physically possible to respond to each message personally. Do understand that I prioritize the emails as well. With appreciation to my constituents, I will respond to you, if such is the case, as a higher priority.

If you are sending an invitation to attend an event or meeting, please email my assistant, Josh Mackey, at joshua.mackey@senate.ga.gov.

If your issue requires more specific information or assistance, please contact my legislative office directly at 404-656-6436 or write me at the address below. Also, it helps if you include a mailing address so that I can be more efficient in serving you.

Thanks again for contacting my Senate office.

Senator Don R. Thomas, Dalton-R

Jan 18th

Thanks for contacting me about this issue. I am a big supporter of unlocking the waiting lists. I will do the best I can to help make sure these slots are included in the 07 budget.

Representative Billy Horne, Newnan-R

March 7th
I have. We funded lots more slots this year.

Representative Sue Burmeister, Augusta-R

February 9th
"Thank you for letting me know of your support of funds to help people with disabilities. It is good to hear from you.

Let me first say that I agree with you one hundred percent on the need to provide the necessary funds to help adults and children needing institutional, home and community based services. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will certainly work toward including additional funding in the FY 2007 budget to address the needs of our disabled citizens.

Again, thank you for you letter. Please let me know how I may be of further assistance to you.

Representative Mark Burkhalter, Speaker Pro Tem, House District 50

February 23rd
"Thank you for the follow-up to your visit to the Capitol. I have not yet had the opportunity to review the information that you gave me. However, I will do so as time permits. Please understand that we deal will an enormous number of issues. I also understand that this issue is your focus and very important to you. I share your concern for developmentally challenged children and adults. I consider your concerns to be valid and I feel your concern."

Representative Daniel Lackly, House District 72

February 18th
"Thanks for contacting me about this issue. I am a big supporter of unlocking the waiting lists. I will do the best I can to help make sure these slots are included in the 07 budget.

Represenative Billy Horne, House District 71

February 22nd

"I hope all is well. Jeff Brown's appropriation group is working on this and I'm staying close to him about their progress."

Representative Stacey Reece, House District 27

Check back here for responses from other legislators next week.

Our efforts are mentioned this morning in SavannahNOW

Brandon Larrabee (feel free to email Mr. Larrabee a short thank you) wrote a nice piece for the Savannah Morning News today entitled Thousands could get more health care under budget, highlighting among other things, the our effort to get 1,500 MRWP services and 152 ICWP slots into the FY07 budget this week. He wrote:

Thousands of Georgians could get needed care under the state spending plan passed by the House recently, according to advocates and lawmakers.

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.

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!

Read or listen to the next post...

It's Not Over Yet!

We wanted to thank you for all of the calls, letters and emails that you are sending to legislators concerning the 2007 budget. One legislator in the House commented that he has heard about our issues more than any other issue! You are making an impact and legislators are taking our message seriously. The session is almost over but our work is not quite finished yet. This week we are asking that you send the message to members of the Senate appropriations committee and to your Senator. Today is day 31 of a 40 day session, so we are expecting a vote from the appropriations committee and then from the full Senate in the next few days.

The message is still the same -1500 new Medicaid services for the MRWP at a cost of $16.8 million and 152 waivers slots for the ICWP at a cost of $3.2 million. Emails and calls are best this week, so your message is received quickly. Please remember to personalize your emails and let legislators know why this is important to you. Please let them know if you are a self advocate, parent, professional or a family member who is affected by disability. Please tell other family member, friends, and professionals to call. Send this link out to your networks, support groups, and listservs. If you haven't sent your email, just click here to do so now!

Click Here!

Many unlock activists are getting creative in building our numbers. Sara Pike, from Coweta county, personally went to 10 of her neighbors homes who were not used to sending out these type of emails, and send them out herself. Rita Spivey, president of the ARC of Satilla in south Georgia, included letter writing as a part of her meeting last night.

After you have made the call, Please help us in counting the number of calls that go out by sending Dave an email with "I made the call" in the subject line. Just click here to let us know you have made the call.

Click Here

Please also forward any responses you get from legislators to us so we can post them here.

Hang in there. Continue to stay strong, and remember the lives of those we are all impacting with our message.
Thank you.

What do you think? Click COMMENTS to tell us...

3,000 new MRWP services...is it really possible?

Last Friday, Senator Unterman announced that her Human Development subcommittee recommended a total of 3,000 new services for the MRWP waiting lists with $35.7 million state dollars. Ever since, we've been asking how possible is this recomendation.

Well, the answer appears to be...unlikely. Before I explain why this appears to be the case, we must recognize that Senator Unterman proposed this funding because she believed it could happen, and whatever happens, we can at least thank her for her effort. (Thank you if you have already sent her thank you note for her commitment to our issue – if you want to do this now – click here.)

Yesterday we spoke with key Senate and House leadership and it looks as though the $24,147,199 that would fund the additional 1,500 services is a combination of (1) money that is not available and (2) money that is actually being used elsewhere by DHR for other community services. We need to be very careful that we do not find ourselves advocating for moving money that would destablize current community services. We will continue to ask questions - and check back here often this week for updates, but...

Until we know more, our message remains that same – we are advocating for the Senate to recommend in the FY07 budget (1) 1,500 MRWP services with $16.8M state dollars and (2) 152 ICWP slots with $3.2M state dollars. If you have not sent in your email, please do so NOW – by clicking here.

What do you think? Click COMMENTS to tell us...

Reflecting on what happened last week for the MRWP...

The Senate Human Health subcommittee of Appropriations met on Friday to discuss the FY07 budget that includes the funding for the 1,500 MRWP slots with $12.04 million state dollars. Some comments that I thought you might find interesting...

Senator Unterman announced that her Health subcommittee would recommend a total of (sit down!) 3,000 new services for the MRWP waiting lists with $35.7 million state dollars - this recommendation would double the House's proposal of 1,500 and would practically cut in half the number of people waiting. $11,589,794 of that state funding is new dollars and $24,147,199 are funds used previously to cover the deficit for state hospitals.

TO SEND A QUICK EMAIL THANK YOU TO THOSE DIRECTLY INVOLVED, CLICK HERE

Now a word of caution...we are still collecting information and this proposal is a long way from being final - we have heard that the $24M is very tenuous. This proposal also still needs to formally move through the Senate process with votes by all of the members of the Senate Appropriations and then by the full Senate. Their proposed FY07 budget would go to conference committee - where a group of 3 Representatives and 3 Senators work out whether the final budget includes 1,500 or 3,000 new MRWP services.

Your calls and emails are working! For good news on the ICWP - click here. Please do everything you can to get as many people to call and email in the next 6 days...click here to find out what to say.

What do you think? Click COMMENTS to tell us...

What is included in the 1,500 MRWP services?

We are all keeping our message simple...1,500 new MRWP services with $16.8M, but have you wondered what are we getting for $16.8 million state dollars? Well, this is the exciting news... first we are getting a matched dollar from the Federal government of 61%. That means that when Georgia puts up 39 cents, the Feds give us 61 cent to implement services - where else can you guarentee this kind of return on investments? Also, these services are a mirror of those that are waiting for help. That is, we have included a significant number of intense level of supports for those in desparate need. The following breakdown for the state:

Comprehensive - 208
Residential - 128
Personal Support - 164
Day Support - 530
Supported Employment - 300
Natural Support - 170
Total services - 1,500

In 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.

All of these items are essential for these 1,500 services to be implemented and will cost the state around $16.8 million.

Budget helps those in Need

A recent article, Budget helps those in need - The Augusta Chronicle included this reference to Unlocking the waiting lists...

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.

What do you think -how are we doing? If means the world to hear from you - Click COMMENTS to tell us...