Yesterday, the Senate cleared a major procedural hurdle and is expected to vote later this week on a bill that provides $26 billion dollars in aid to states. The bill includes an extension of the increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) of $16.1 billion for Medicaid and $10 billion in education funding intended to prevent teacher layoffs. Speaker Pelosi announced that she would be calling House Members back next week from the August recess to vote on the bill. The House of Representatives must pass the exact same bill to send it to the President for his expected signature.
The bill is fully paid for but it reduces the amount of federal support for FMAP from the $24 billion that would have been available under previous versions of the extension. The provision would phase out the enhanced FMAP during the six-month period from January 2011 through June 2011, providing states with a 3.2 percentage point increase in the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 and a 1.2 percentage point increase in the third quarter of FY 2011.
The DPC has actively supported the FMAP extension and the education funding as they are both critically needed to prevent harmful cuts to services and schools. However, we are concerned that it is partially paid for by scaling back future food stamp benefits which serve many people with disabilities.
If you have any questions, please contact Julie Ward.
The Arc
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 301
Washington, DC 20036
p. 202.534.3700 | f. 202.534.3731
www.thearc.org
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Special session ruled out: Gregoire faces across-the-board cuts
Special session ruled out: Gregoire faces across-the-board cuts
BRAD SHANNON; Staff writer | • Published August 03, 2010
The U.S. Senate again delayed a key vote on giving $25 billion more medical- and school-funding aid to the states Monday. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders in Washington state ruled out holding a special legislative session to fix budget holes related to the lack of federal aid.
Gov. Chris Gregoire had set a noon Monday deadline for Democratic leaders in the state House and Senate to say whether they could bring their caucuses to town for a short special session. Without the federal help that the U.S. Senate might give, she fears a $300 million deficit that requires immediate cutting of spending.
Even so, her spokeswoman Karina Shagren said Gregoire hasn’t announced a decision on how to bridge the looming budget gap.
“We’ll see what Wednesday brings,” Shagren said. “The governor is working with other governors to see that a vote gets taken Wednesday and it gets pushed through.’’
The alternative to a special session is having Gregoire, a Democrat, order cuts of up to 4 percent that fall across the board – nicking prisons, health care, higher education and other programs equally.
The Republican minority in the statehouse says across-the-board cuts are a terrible way to cut the budget, but majority Democrats say it is quicker and politically easier than bringing lawmakers to town in an election season when agreements are harder to reach.
“My personal view is we should continue to do the across-the-board cuts – cuts that could only last from now until we go back into session in January,” House Ways and Means chairwoman Kelli Linville, D-Bellingham, said Monday by telephone. “I think going into special session, there is no guarantee there will be any agreements.”
“We believe that the governor should first take across-the-board cuts and not call a special session. To methodically go through and do selective cuts would require time. And somehow in the middle of the campaign session I’m not sure that’s the best reason,’’ added state Sen. Ed Murray, the Senate Democratic Caucus chairman from Seattle. “I think it would be a completely politicized situation” in a special session.
Indeed, House and Senate Democrats run the risk of aiming for a special session of a few days, then watching their caucuses blow apart in disagreements that drag out for the full 30 days that the state constitution allows for a special session. That’s pretty much what happened in April after majority Democrats failed to complete a revenue package and budget during their 60-day regular session. Hopes for a quick deal disappeared as lawmakers battled for 30 days to find agreement, and aides to Gov. Gregoire say she doesn’t want to see that again.
But Republicans say across-the-board cuts hit worthy programs just as hard as those that can afford reductions – with Sens. Mike Hewitt and Joe Zarelli saying in a letter to Gregoire last week that cuts would hit the developmentally disabled, for instance, at the same rate as they hit tourism programs.
“The lawmakers who have led us into this deficit should have the guts to step up and solve it, not pass off their responsibility to someone else,” House Republican Leader Richard DeBolt of Chehalis said in a statement he released Thursday after talking with Gregoire and other legislative leaders. “Budget writers should develop a plan for balancing the budget and then hold a one-day special session to put us on a course of responsible and sustainable state spending.”
Republican Rep. Gary Alexander of Thurston County said he’s willing to lay out some specific ideas for cuts – including dropping the eligibility limit for the Basic Health Plan, perhaps reducing the so-called Disability Lifeline help, and considering cuts to such programs as all-day kindergarten and coaching for math. Alexander said he also would consider allowing state payments to family members that care for their ailing relatives instead of paying extra to home-health workers.
“It’s not correct to assume Republicans are going to vote no on anything they come up with. I know Sen. Zarelli and I have said if we can participate in the process, then it’s very likely we’ll be looking for some support” for budget-cutting legislation, Alexander said. “I know the Democrats aren’t going to like some of the suggestions we put on the table.’’
The budget dispute would be averted if Congress acts. The U.S. Senate is considering an extension of federal medical assistance funding for the states that totals about $16.1 billion, or two-thirds what an earlier bill would have provided, and another $10 billion in aid for schools to avert teacher layoffs.
The Senate action, which was delayed to Wednesday from Monday, would in effect rescue roughly 30 other states – which, like Washington, counted on the aid in their budgets – from having to make new cuts.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said she has met national Republicans’ objections about the extra spending by offering an amendment that pays for it using unspent money already allocated to the federal government. But Sen. Mitch McConnell, the U.S. Senate minority leader from Kentucky, complained in a floor speech Monday that the spending on teachers would create “a permanent need for future state bailouts.”
McConnell called the aid a “brazen attempt” to push more money to public employee unions and set up massive tax hikes at the end of the year.
Even if the Senate approves H.R. 1586, which previously passed the U.S. House, it goes back to the other chamber for final approval.
Under the proposal, Washington state receives about $528 million including about $320 million in medical aid and $208 million in school aid, according to Murray spokesman Matt McAlvanah. He said the school aid could spare up to 3,000 jobs in public schools.
Read more: http://www.theolympian.com/2010/08/03/1323850/no-quick-fix-for-state-budget.html#ixzz0vYpFWOQ7
BRAD SHANNON; Staff writer | • Published August 03, 2010
The U.S. Senate again delayed a key vote on giving $25 billion more medical- and school-funding aid to the states Monday. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders in Washington state ruled out holding a special legislative session to fix budget holes related to the lack of federal aid.
Gov. Chris Gregoire had set a noon Monday deadline for Democratic leaders in the state House and Senate to say whether they could bring their caucuses to town for a short special session. Without the federal help that the U.S. Senate might give, she fears a $300 million deficit that requires immediate cutting of spending.
Even so, her spokeswoman Karina Shagren said Gregoire hasn’t announced a decision on how to bridge the looming budget gap.
“We’ll see what Wednesday brings,” Shagren said. “The governor is working with other governors to see that a vote gets taken Wednesday and it gets pushed through.’’
The alternative to a special session is having Gregoire, a Democrat, order cuts of up to 4 percent that fall across the board – nicking prisons, health care, higher education and other programs equally.
The Republican minority in the statehouse says across-the-board cuts are a terrible way to cut the budget, but majority Democrats say it is quicker and politically easier than bringing lawmakers to town in an election season when agreements are harder to reach.
“My personal view is we should continue to do the across-the-board cuts – cuts that could only last from now until we go back into session in January,” House Ways and Means chairwoman Kelli Linville, D-Bellingham, said Monday by telephone. “I think going into special session, there is no guarantee there will be any agreements.”
“We believe that the governor should first take across-the-board cuts and not call a special session. To methodically go through and do selective cuts would require time. And somehow in the middle of the campaign session I’m not sure that’s the best reason,’’ added state Sen. Ed Murray, the Senate Democratic Caucus chairman from Seattle. “I think it would be a completely politicized situation” in a special session.
Indeed, House and Senate Democrats run the risk of aiming for a special session of a few days, then watching their caucuses blow apart in disagreements that drag out for the full 30 days that the state constitution allows for a special session. That’s pretty much what happened in April after majority Democrats failed to complete a revenue package and budget during their 60-day regular session. Hopes for a quick deal disappeared as lawmakers battled for 30 days to find agreement, and aides to Gov. Gregoire say she doesn’t want to see that again.
But Republicans say across-the-board cuts hit worthy programs just as hard as those that can afford reductions – with Sens. Mike Hewitt and Joe Zarelli saying in a letter to Gregoire last week that cuts would hit the developmentally disabled, for instance, at the same rate as they hit tourism programs.
“The lawmakers who have led us into this deficit should have the guts to step up and solve it, not pass off their responsibility to someone else,” House Republican Leader Richard DeBolt of Chehalis said in a statement he released Thursday after talking with Gregoire and other legislative leaders. “Budget writers should develop a plan for balancing the budget and then hold a one-day special session to put us on a course of responsible and sustainable state spending.”
Republican Rep. Gary Alexander of Thurston County said he’s willing to lay out some specific ideas for cuts – including dropping the eligibility limit for the Basic Health Plan, perhaps reducing the so-called Disability Lifeline help, and considering cuts to such programs as all-day kindergarten and coaching for math. Alexander said he also would consider allowing state payments to family members that care for their ailing relatives instead of paying extra to home-health workers.
“It’s not correct to assume Republicans are going to vote no on anything they come up with. I know Sen. Zarelli and I have said if we can participate in the process, then it’s very likely we’ll be looking for some support” for budget-cutting legislation, Alexander said. “I know the Democrats aren’t going to like some of the suggestions we put on the table.’’
The budget dispute would be averted if Congress acts. The U.S. Senate is considering an extension of federal medical assistance funding for the states that totals about $16.1 billion, or two-thirds what an earlier bill would have provided, and another $10 billion in aid for schools to avert teacher layoffs.
The Senate action, which was delayed to Wednesday from Monday, would in effect rescue roughly 30 other states – which, like Washington, counted on the aid in their budgets – from having to make new cuts.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said she has met national Republicans’ objections about the extra spending by offering an amendment that pays for it using unspent money already allocated to the federal government. But Sen. Mitch McConnell, the U.S. Senate minority leader from Kentucky, complained in a floor speech Monday that the spending on teachers would create “a permanent need for future state bailouts.”
McConnell called the aid a “brazen attempt” to push more money to public employee unions and set up massive tax hikes at the end of the year.
Even if the Senate approves H.R. 1586, which previously passed the U.S. House, it goes back to the other chamber for final approval.
Under the proposal, Washington state receives about $528 million including about $320 million in medical aid and $208 million in school aid, according to Murray spokesman Matt McAlvanah. He said the school aid could spare up to 3,000 jobs in public schools.
Read more: http://www.theolympian.com/2010/08/03/1323850/no-quick-fix-for-state-budget.html#ixzz0vYpFWOQ7
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.
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
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)
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.
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.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
House Human Services Committee/ Autism Work Session;June 16th, 2010
TVW has uploaded video of the hearing on their website. You can access it via the links below. I’ve also included a link to the committee website where a PDF version of all the PowerPoint presentations can be accessed.
Video from tvw.org
House Human Services Committee held on June 16, 2010 10:00am
Work Session: Strategies for Addressing the Increase in Autism Diagnoses.
Please click here to watch video or paste this url into your browser address bar: http://www.tvw.org/media/mediaplayer.cfm?EvId=2010060078
Committee meeting documents are available online: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/HS/
Lucinda Duvall
Legislative Assistant
Human Services Committee
House of Representatives Office of Program Research
Video from tvw.org
House Human Services Committee held on June 16, 2010 10:00am
Work Session: Strategies for Addressing the Increase in Autism Diagnoses.
Please click here to watch video or paste this url into your browser address bar: http://www.tvw.org/media/mediaplayer.cfm?EvId=2010060078
Committee meeting documents are available online: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/HS/
Lucinda Duvall
Legislative Assistant
Human Services Committee
House of Representatives Office of Program Research
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