{"id":13086,"date":"2011-02-01T23:19:09","date_gmt":"2011-02-02T04:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/?p=13086"},"modified":"2011-02-02T00:16:08","modified_gmt":"2011-02-02T05:16:08","slug":"action-alert-s-b-1-cuts-to-the-state-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2011\/02\/01\/action-alert-s-b-1-cuts-to-the-state-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"***** ACTION ALERT S.B. 1 ***** Cuts To The State Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

***** ACTION ALERT S.B. 1 *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cuts To The State Budget<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Texas Senate is having a public hearing February 1 \u2013 February 3, 2011
\non the proposed budget cuts to (HHS) Health & Human Services. They have
\nproposed a $16 billion CUT over the next two years to the Health & Human
\nServices agencies and the programs they run.<\/p>\n

The community based programs that allow Texans the choice to receive their
\nlong term care services in the community not in an institution are endanger
\nof being drastically cut. If you don\u2019t Raise your Voice and let the
\nLegislators know how losing your services will affect you and your family,
\nthen they will make the CUTS!<\/p>\n

Read below to see what you can do in the next few days to let the
\nlegislators know:<\/p>\n

Here are a few examples of some of the proposed cuts to the Medicaid Waiver
\nprograms:<\/p>\n

* $342,683,706 (million) CUT from the (CBA) Community Based Alternatives
\nWaiver<\/p>\n

* $451,866,354 (million) CUT from the (HCA) Home & Community Services Waiver<\/p>\n

* $107,869,131 (million) CUT from the (CLASS) Community Living Assistance
\nSupports & Services Waiver<\/p>\n

* $28,078,989 (million) CUT from the Medically Dependent Children\u2019s Programs<\/p>\n

* $102,091,552 (million) CUT from the Deaf, Blind, Multiple Disabilities
\nPrograms<\/p>\n

How can you make your voice heard:<\/p>\n

You can give public testimony at the Capitol in the Capitol Finance Room
\nE1.036; Tuesday 1st, Wednesday 2nd, & Thursday 3rd starting at 9:00 a.m.
\neach morning. Parking is available in the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage at
\n1201 San Jacinto located between Trinity and San Jacinto Streets at 12th and
\n13th streets. Parking is free for the first two hours and $1.00 for each
\nhalf hour thereafter (maximum daily charge: $8.00); accessible parking is
\navailable with accessible routes to the Capitol. (Map of the Capitol area
\nprovide at the bottom) A majority of disability advocacy groups plan to
\nconcentrate their testimony on Thursday, if you can\u2019t attend make your voice
\nheard through emails, phone calls, or working with others during this
\nimportant time. (More information below on how to contact your legislator by
\nphone or mail)<\/p>\n

Tips on giving oral testimony:<\/p>\n

The purpose of public hearings is to provide government officials with an
\nopportunity to learn about issues \u2013 the benefits, concerns, needs or
\nproblems. It is also an opportunity for constituents, citizens and advocates
\nto provide testimony and express opinions.<\/p>\n

Important reasons to attended and testify at public hearings:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Educate & influence legislators
\n\u2022 Educate the public
\n\u2022 Publicize positions, problems & solutions<\/p>\n

Do:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Know the issue and how it affects you and others.
\n\u2022 Prepare! You usually have only 3 minutes to speak. They will stop you even
\nif you’re not done.
\n\u2022 Begin by identifying yourself, the group you represent, the bill or issue,
\nand if you are for or against.
\n\u2022 Tell them your story and how you have benefited and that you would much
\nrather receive your services in the community. (Remember you only have 3
\nminutes)
\n\u2022 Use personal examples to make your point.
\n\u2022 Be Respectful!
\n\u2022 End by thanking the committee or legislators for the opportunity to
\ntestify<\/p>\n

If you give oral testimony and you are asked what to cut say (1) before
\nanything is cut, use the $9.4 billion Rainy Day Fund and (2) I understand
\nother issues are important, but I am here to talk about disability issues.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Don\u2019t be disrespectful! State why you disagree with them & educate them
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t make claims you are not ready to prove
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t start philosophizing, repeating yourself, offering threats, or
\ncriticizes other issues<\/p>\n

If you wish to call or send an email to Legislators\/staff about the budget:<\/p>\n

Contact as many of the members of the Senate Finance Committee listed below,
\n(especially if one is your senator!) If you”re from their district, say so,
\nand add, ” I am or a family member is currently receiving community based
\nservices instead of receiving them in an institution. Aging and disability
\ncommunity services are necessary and promote \u201caging in place\u201d, community
\ninclusion, improved quality of life, higher productivity, better health and
\nwellness, fewer visits to emergency rooms and hospitals, and the ability to
\nlive as independently as possible. I want you to support community based
\nservices a more cost effective way to a balanced approach to balancing the
\nstate budget. Texas needs to preserve vital programs for Texans with
\ndisabilities and their families, use the Rainy Day Fund, and seek out new
\nrevenue”!<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t know which Senator represents you, take a few seconds to find
\nout at http:\/\/www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Tips on calling Legislators & their staff:<\/p>\n

Do:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Prepare your message before you call.
\n\u2022 If you can\u2019t speak with the legislator explain it to the staffer that
\nanswered. They do keep track of each call.
\n\u2022 Be concise & persuasive, a call should only be a few minutes.
\n\u2022 Identify yourself as a constituent or advocate
\n\u2022 Say exactly what you are calling about. Use bill numbers, issues, if you
\nare for or against.
\n\u2022 Say specifically what you want the legislator to do (to support a bill or
\nvote against it.
\n\u2022 Thank them for their time.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Underestimate the power of the staff. They have the ear of the legislator;
\ngive them as much respect as you would a legislator.
\n\u2022 Don”t be rude, criticize, argue or gossip (deliver your message).<\/p>\n

***Make sure to take a few minutes & call each Senators office and email if
\npossible, it will only take a few minutes. The more they hear the message
\nthe better. If it is after hours leave a message each one left is
\ndocumented. Even if you plan to testify take the time to call each office
\nthe day before or after. Try to get as many of your family and friends to do
\nthe same, there is NO more important time then in the next four days to get
\nthem the message \u201cNOT TO CUT our community based services, they should
\nInvest in Community!\u201d***<\/p>\n

Call the Senate Finance Committee Members Below:<\/p>\n

Sen. Steve Ogden : (512) 463-0105
\nSen. Juan Hinojosa: (512) 463-0120
\nSen. Bob Deuell: (512) 463-0102
\nSen. Robert Duncan: (512) 463-0128
\nSen. Kevin Eltife: (512) 463-0101
\nSen. Craig Estes: (512) 463-0130
\nSen. Eddie Lucio Jr.: (512) 463-0127
\nSen. Jane Nelson: (512) 463-0112
\nSen. Dan Patrick: (512) 463-0107
\nSen. Ken Seliger: (512) 463-0131
\nSen. Florence Shapiro: (512) 463-0108
\nSen. Royce West: (512) 463-0123
\nSen. John Whitmire: (512) 463-0115
\nSen. Tommy Williams: (512) 463-010
\nSen. Judith Zaffirini: (512) 463-0121<\/p>\n

Tips on emailing:<\/p>\n

Correspondence is a written record of your views, interest and positions.
\nLegislators often have their staff attach memos to bills so that they can
\nsee who is supporting\/opposing bills they are considering. You can use the
\nsame language in your email as you did on your phone calls. Contact as many
\nof the members of the Senate Finance Committee listed below, (especially if
\none is your senator!) If you”re from their district, say so, and add, ” I
\nam or a family member is currently receiving community based services
\ninstead of receiving them in an institution. Aging and disability community
\nservices are necessary and promote \u201caging in place\u201d, community inclusion,
\nimproved quality of life, higher productivity, better health and wellness,
\nfewer visits to emergency rooms and hospitals, and the ability to live as
\nindependently as possible. I want you to support community based services a
\nmore cost effective way to a balanced approach to balancing the state
\nbudget. Texas needs to preserve vital programs for Texans with disabilities
\nand their families, use the Rainy Day Fund, and seek out new revenue”!<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t know which Senator represents you, take a few seconds to find
\nout at http:\/\/www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Tips on emailing Legislators & their staff:<\/p>\n

Do:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Introduce yourself in your email and let the legislator know why you are
\ninterested or concerned about the issue. Tell the legislator how the bill
\nwill affect you, your family, your friends, your job\/business. Include
\nspecific examples if you can.
\n\u2022 Put in bold at the top the bill # S.B. 1 and that you are against a cuts
\nonly approach to balancing the budget.
\n\u2022 Let the legislator know if you are a constituent.<\/p>\n

To email all the committee members at once, copy and paste the following
\nemail addresses into the “to” line of your message:<\/p>\n

Make your tag line \u201cInvest in Community Based Services for Texans with
\nDisabilities\u201d<\/p>\n

steve.ogden@senate.state.tx.us; juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us;
\nbob.deuell@senate.state.tx.us; robert.duncan@senate.state.tx.us;
\nkevin.eltife@senate.state.tx.us; craig.estes@senate.state.tx.us;
\neddie.lucio@senate.state.tx.us; jane.nelson@senate.state.tx.us;
\ndan.patrick@senate.state.tx.us; ken.seliger@senate.state.tx.us;
\nflorence.shapiro@senate.state.tx.us; royce.west@senate.state.tx.us;
\njohn.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us tommy.williams@senate.state.tx.us;
\njudith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us<\/p>\n

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT CTD\/Coalition of Texans with Disabilities @
\n512-478-3366 on how to get involved and make your VOICE HEARD!<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.cotwd.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

***** ACTION ALERT S.B. 1 ***** Cuts To The State Budget The Texas Senate is having a public hearing February 1 \u2013 February 3, 2011 on the proposed budget cuts to (HHS) Health & Human Services. They have proposed a…<\/p>\n

Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[7881,2424,127,7883,7886,35,7887,7888,34,24,7884,201,6667,7429,1812,7882,7885,435,7863,716],"class_list":["post-13086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-deaf-news","tag-action-alert-s-b-1","tag-blind","tag-budget","tag-capitol-finance-room","tag-coalition-of-texans-with-disabilities","tag-community","tag-cotwd","tag-ctd","tag-dars","tag-deaf","tag-disability-advocacy-groups","tag-family","tag-health-human-services","tag-hhs","tag-legislators","tag-multiple-disabilities","tag-senate-finance-committee-members","tag-staff","tag-state-funds","tag-state-of-texas"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p752R-3p4","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":39903,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2019\/10\/31\/hhsc-listening-session-11-13-19-laredo-texas\/","url_meta":{"origin":13086,"position":0},"title":"HHSC Listening Session 11\/13\/19 – Laredo, Texas","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"October 31, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"HHSC Listening Session 11\/13\/19 - Laredo, Texas In the 2020 inaugural business plan, Blueprint for a Healthy Texas (PDF), HHS outlines key priorities and initiatives for the coming year. 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About this Event: The Health and Human Services Commission is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/hhsc-logo.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":39896,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2019\/10\/25\/hhs-stakeholders-meeting-for-people-with-disabilities-10-28-19-dfw\/","url_meta":{"origin":13086,"position":2},"title":"HHS Stakeholders Meeting for People with Disabilities 10\/28\/19 – DFW","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"October 25, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=fqMTQ1JCOnY HHS Stakeholders Meeting for People with Disabilities Health and Human Services is holding six listening sessions around the state as part of the inaugural HHS business plan, A Blueprint for a Healthy Texas. 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