Friday, July 30, 2010

FMAP funding has one last chance, ACT NOW!

CALL NOW! FMAP funding has one last chance! Take Action!

Ask to include amendment 4567 in HR 1586, vote is Monday!

Senator Murray is the lead sponsor of Amendment #4567 to H.R. 1586. This amendment includes a 6 month extension of the increased FMAP as well as additional money for teacher jobs. A summary is below.

Summary of Murray-Harkin-Reid-Schumer Amendment to H.R. 1586

FMAP. The amendment would extend and phase out increases in the Medicaid matching rate for six months, through June 30, 2011. This will ensure that states continue to receive these increases throughout state fiscal year 2011. The provision is estimated to cost $16.1 billion over 10 years.

Education Jobs Funding. The amendment would provide $10 billion for additional support to local school districts to prevent imminent layoffs. It is estimated that this fund will help keep nearly 140,000 educators employed next year.

This amendment will be voted on around 5:30 pm Eastern Time on Monday, August 2nd. Congress wraps up on August 9th. Action is need now.

Please call Senator Cantwell and ask her to support Senator Murray's amendment 4567 to extend the FMAP in HR 1586 which will be voted on Monday at 5:30 pm ET.

Please call Senator Murray and thank her for sponsoring amendment 4567 to HR 1586.

If the FMAP amendment does not pass, our Governor will be forced to make severe cuts to our needed services and the jobs that support them right now, because the FMAP extension funding was assumed in the last state budget.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Gov. Gregoire unveils new budget ideas website

Interactive site allows Washingtonians to submit ideas about state budget

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the launch of an interactive website that allows citizens to share, comment and vote on budget ideas. The most highly rated ideas by viewers will rise to the top of the list and be considered by budget writers.

The website is one tool the governor is using to develop the state’s 2011–13 spending plan in the process she calls “Transforming Washington’s Budget.”

“Closing our state’s budget gap requires innovative thinking as well as making some tough decisions,” Gregoire said. “This interactive website gives people an opportunity to share ideas and engage in a discussion about what ideas might work best for us. I’m eager to hear what people have to tell us.”

Ideas will be posted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The site will be moderated so that profane or vulgar postings will not be accepted.

Earlier this summer, the governor announced her plan for “Transforming Washington’s Budget” through a number of steps, including the formation of a committee of leaders from across the state to serve as an advisory and sounding board. In addition, she is layering a series of eight questions on top of the budget system known as Priorities of Government, or POG, to identify the most essential state services, whether they are being delivered in the most effective and cost-efficient way, and whether the state or another entity should provide the service.

The public is invited to share ideas at transformwabudget.ideascale.com.

For more information about transforming Washington’s budget and public budget hearings, visit http://www.governor.wa.gov/priorities/budget/default.asp.

Diana Stadden
The Arc of Washington State
Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
Cell (Call-Text-Email): 253.576.6351
Fax: 360.357.3279 attn: Diana
Email: Diana@arcwa.org

Monday, July 19, 2010

Budget Hearings

The Governor's Office of Financial Management (OFM) are holding budget process hearings across the state. Attached are the dates and link. Thank you, Kelly


http://governor.wa.gov/priorities/budget/transformbudget.pdf

Executive Budget Hearings July 2010

July 19 – Tacoma, 7-9 PM, (UWT-William W. Phillip Hall, Milgard Assembly Room, 1900 Commerce Street)

July 21 – Everett, 7-9 PM, (Everett Community College, Parks Building, Multi Purpose Room, 2000 Tower Street)

July 27—Vancouver, 7-9 PM, (WSU-Vancouver, Administration Building Room 110, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue, Vancouver)

July 29—Spokane, Time TBA, (Spokane City Hall, City Council Chambers, 808 W. Spokane Falls Boulevard)

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Take Action--Medicaid

What Will Happen to Medicaid?
Take Action!

Urge your Senators to support the extension of the FMAP increase



We are all anxious about Medicaid. Most states start their 2011 fiscal years this week and they are desperate for funding to keep their programs running. And Congress has just failed again to pass an extension of the increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP).


Without swift enactment of a six-month Medicaid FMAP extension, states may be forced to cut BILLIONS from their programs, including home and community based services, supported employment, dental care and even basic health care.

Advocates must make their voices heard to get the FMAP extension passed very soon.

Take Action

Please call your Senators' district offices during the Independence Day recess (July 2-12). The phone numbers and sample talking points are provided when you click on the "Take Action" link and enter your zip code in the "Call Now" box.

What to say:
• May I please speak to the staff person who covers health?
• I am calling to urge Senator _________________ to do everything possible to ensure that a Medicaid FMAP extension is passed.

• People with disabilities depend on Medicaid for their very survival. Without an extension of the Medicaid FMAP increase, we will lose vital services.


For this alert please call; do not email. Offices are keeping track of calls and personal visits.

Thank you in advance for your advocacy.