Action Alert - Thank Leadership - Legislative Report #6

[Guest guest]

Developmental Disabilities

Legislative Session Report #6

By Kingsley Ross

k.ross@...

Summary: Week 6 of this year’s legislative session was marked by Gov. making a dramatic turnaround, rescinding the rate cut that went into effect on April 1 and restoring provider rates effective April 16. His move followed numerous local demonstrations across the state and a rapid negotiation by the Governor’s staff with the House and Senate.

Action during week 6: In addition to the Governor’s action, the Senate completed its committee work on its managed care bill when it passed out of the Budget Committee. Services to people with DD are still excluded from the Senate bill.

Unexpectedly, the appropriations conference committees were not named last week and the conference process came to a temporary halt. Negotiations between the two chambers stopped because no agreement on budgets allocations was reached. House Speaker Cannon warned House members not to make plans for the week following May 6, the scheduled date for the 2011 session to end.

Anticipated Action in Week 7: None. The Senate is in recess until April 25. The House has a limited meeting schedule next week and no appropriations conference committee action is anticipated.

Action Needed. Contact Gov. Rick and thank him for rescinding his rate cuts. Ask him to advocate for a large enough appropriation to avoid any cuts for next fiscal year.

Gov. Rick ’s contact info is:

Office

Fax

rick.scott@...

Contact Sen. President Haridopolos and thank him for helping to find the money so the Governor could rescind the rate cuts. Ask him to make sure there are no cuts next fiscal year to services for people with DD.

Pres. Mike Haridopolos’ contact info is:

Office

Fax

haridopolos.mike.web@...

If you haven’t done so already, visit the local office of your own Representative and Senator. Tell the staff why services are important to you and what it will mean to lose them. You do not need any talking points to do this. Make what you tell them as personal as possible. Over the past couple of weeks this has proved very effective.

When you visit, you may want to work with other parents and hold a rally in front of the legislator’s office. If you decide to hold a local rally, let the legislator’s office and your local press know in advance that you are coming. Be sure to be polite. You are asking for help. A Facebook page for people to share personal experiences is at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Our-Children/123662484375873?sk=wall.

Background Analysis: The Governor’s dramatic turn-a-around is a direct result of the action by advocates across the state working at the local and state level to let their representatives know that the April 1 cuts were not acceptable. This action generated an incredible amount of positive press coverage and let the governor know that restoring the rates was a very wise strategy. The Governor’s office not only negotiated the end of the April 1 cuts but also enough money so that APD will begin next fiscal year without any deficit being carried forward, a burden that has been present since at least 2007.

During these past few weeks the advocacy community proved that when we join forces, we can be quite effective, even in tough fiscal times. Now the question is can we remain mobilized enough to reverse the cuts that are already in the House and Senate budgets for next fiscal year.

Regards,

Ven Sequenzia

President

Autism Society of America

State of Florida Chapter