E-CAPS Number 1
February 14, 2001
Legislative Update
By now you may have heard of some of the severe cuts and changes in the
Governor's budget. Although many of these changes won't directly effect the CAAs,
they will be a great hardship on our clients and will certainly make it harder
for CAAs to do their jobs. It is important for front-line workers and clients
who will be effected by these cuts to be involved and attend Public Hearings
Upcoming Public Hearings
There are two major hearings this week and three major hearings coming up
next week. We encourage you to find board members, front-line staff and clients
who are interested in testifying. Front-line staff and clients can provide very
good testimony. We can provide support and assist in writing testimony as well
as sign up before the hearing. Attached is a more complete schedule of Committee
meetings and Public Hearings for the next two weeks.
I will be on vacation next week. You can contact Edith Karsky for assistance with preparing testimony and signing up to speak. Please submit 50 copies of written testimony at the time of sign-up. Please summarize written testimony. Testimony will be limited to three minutes. Sign-up sheets for the February 16th and February 23rd Appropriation Committee public hearings will begin at 10:00 A.M. Sign up for all other hearings begin 1 hour prior. Let us know if you or clients are available and interested in participating in any of these:
The Select Committee on Housing will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 15, 2001 at 2:00 P.M. in Room 2B of the LOB. Important items include funding the Housing Fund from surplus $$, and increasing RAP funding.
The Select Committee on Aging will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 15, 2001 at 9.00 A.M. in Room 1D of the LOB. Important issues include increasing the elderly nutrition program.
The Appropriations Committee will hold state agency budget presentations and public hearings from Wednesday, February 14, 2001 through Friday, February 23, 2001
Tuesday, Feb. 20 - 6:30 pm - Appropriations Committee public hearing on DOL budget - topics include elimination of the CEIP program, flat funding of the employment services program and lack of funding for the post-secondary education work-study proposal.
Thursday, Feb. 22 - Human Services Committee public hearing on bills to implement the Governor's budget proposals - probably at 10 am. Will include changes to the TFA program, probably CEIP and SAGA medical proposals.
Friday, Feb. 23 - 6:30 pm - Appropriations Committee public hearing on DSS budget - will include TFA, CEIP, SAGA and Medicaid
Governor's Proposed Budget
**TFA Benefits will be limited to two six-month extensions, effectively
making it a 33 month lifetime benefit, when federal regs allow for 60 months
**State Admin. General Assistance entitlement is eliminated and home health benefits eliminated.
**Community Employment Incentive Program is eliminated
**Intake on Child Care Certificate Program (child care assistance for working families) is closed. This will effect many agencies that need the $$ to provide services or would lose families who could not afford services. Could seriously effect summer day care if families apply now but are refused on 7/1/01 when intake would be closed.
**RAP funding remains same. The rate has been raised, but with no new $$ there will be less certificates
**$3 million for supportive housing, but no $$ for Housing Fund, No $$ for Beyond Shelter (TVCCA).
**Budget summary claims there is new $$ for welfare to work, but it isn't
apparent where the DOL budget has increased. Flat funding of the employment
services program and lack of funding for the post-secondary education work-study
proposal.
Here are some hyperlinks to recent articles in the Hartford Courant regarding the ongoing debate about the Spending Cap. By far the best argument for modifying the cap is from Shelley Geballe:
State's Spending Cap Becomes Grist For Political Mill
By DAN HAAR, Feb. 14th
http://www.ctnow.com/scripts/editorial.dll?fromspage=CG/articles/state.htm&categoryid=&bfromind=557&eeid=4001245&eetype=article&render=y
Democrats Want To Return To Deficit Days
By ROBERT M. WARD, February 13, 2001
http://www.ctnow.com/scripts/editorial.dll?render=y&eetype=Article&eeid=3995648
Cap Distorts Budget, Slows Worker Development
By SHELLEY GEBALLE
February 12, 2001
http://www.ctnow.com/scripts/editorial.dll?render=y&eetype=Article&eeid=3990220
We'll Keep Promises The Governor Didn't
By KEVIN B. SULLIVAN, February 09, 2001
http://www.ctnow.com/scripts/editorial.dll?render=y&eetype=Article&eeid=3977276
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
Please forward to me any names, addresses and email addresses of Board or
staff members who you want to receive these email updates and our newsletter.
Thanks
David MacDonald
CAFCA Communications Director
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