E-CAPS Number 7

May 1, 2001

As many of you know, the Appropriations Committee has finished its work and released a budget and voted a number of bills to the Floor. The Finance Committee has also. 

The issues we are tracking are:
++Early Childhood Education
++Housing
++Economic Security
++State Earned Income Tax Credit
++Spending Cap Debate

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Bill 6931, An Act Concerning Education and Equitable Wages for Early Childhood Professionals was passed by Appropriations Committee with no money attached. Since there was no funding, they removed the sections referring to increasing the base wage, making it more flexible for DSS and providers to work out a way to support. The new language is attached.

Bill 6876, School Readiness, passed Appropriations and was funded at $41.2 million. Aside from a number of technical changes, this bill includes funding for transitional school districts and a small increase for priority school districts. Also calls for a study on creating a Birth to 8 early care and education system in CT.

Also, School Readiness Quality Enhancement funds were restored to $5.3 million by the Appropriations Committee.

CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Appropriations Committee restored funding to the CCAP so that in-take will not be closed. Thanks to everyone who helped on this issue.

Also, DSS has published their draft plan for the CCAP. There are many proposed changes that will benefit both working parents, their children and providers of child care. For a copy of the plan, visit their website at www.dss.state.ct.us/ccare/ccare.htm

DSS will be holding public hearings on the proposed regulations.

Public Hearings. Purpose to comment on draft Child Care Plan:
--May 4, 3-5 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. LOB, Room 1A. Hartford
--May 9, same times. Norwalk City Hall, Norwalk.
--May 10, same times. Groton Public Lib., 52 Newtown Rd, Rt. 117, Groton.
--May 15, same times. Education Connection, 345 Main Street, Danbury
--May 16, same times. Keefe Community Center, 11 Pine Street, Hamden

HOUSING
The Appropriations Committee increased the funds for the Rental Assistance Program in order to pay fair market rates AND keep the same # of certificates. Funds were also restored for municipal housing subsidies.

Funds have not been appropriated for the CT Housing Partnership Fund (Bill 5388). Housing advocates are asking for $50 million. If housing is an important issue for your clients, then the General Assembly leadership needs to hear from you and your clients. Ask that they fund this from the state surplus to establish an efficient source of flexible financing to expand the inventory of affordable housing.

ECONOMIC SECURITY
The Appropriations Committee DID NOT restore fund to the Community Employment Incentive Program (CEIP). That program has been eliminated

Summer Youth Employment was cut $100,000.

State funded cash benefits for legal immigrants were eliminated.

On the good side, however, the Appropriations Committee DID restore the SAGA medical benefits entitlement.

Displace Homemaker program was restored to $400,000

Bill 1347, An Act Concerning a Work-Study Program for TANF Recipients which will provide a way for low-income parents to attend college was funded at $1 million by the Appropriations Committee.

$5 million of surplus funds appropriated for Job Funnel in Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, and Bridgeport. $2.5 million of surplus for Workforce Development Boards for job training.

Bill 6867, requiring Community Action Agencies to be included as partners at One-Stop employment centers passes Appropriations Committee. This will ensure that One-Stop clients receive CAA services and will result in a better use of federal funds.

STATE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT
Bill 1338, An Act Establishing an Earned Income Tax Credit passed out of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee and was sent to the floor. This is an important bill for our clients. Stayed tuned for updates on when the bill will be voted at the General Assembly. Now is the time to contact your local representatives to get them familiar with why they should support this bill. If you need info on this bill, please contact me.

SPENDING CAP
As you may have seen, the debate between the General Assembly and the Governor is focusing on the spending cap. The Appropriations Committee budget is larger than the Governor's and may be over projected revenues. It is entirely possible that there will be cuts from the Appropriations Committee budget.

For a article talking about the latest in the spending cap debate check out the following on the internet:
http://www.ctnow.com/scripts/editorial.dll?eetype=Article&eeid=4479152&render=y&Table=&ck=&ver=2.8

Contact the legislative leaders and your local legislators on these important issues for working and low-income families. Key leaders are the chairs of Appropriations (Rep. Bill Dyson, Sen. Joseph Crisco), Human Services Sub-Comm. of Approps (Rep. Jack Thompson , Sen. Toni Harp) and the leadership (Sen. Kevin Sullivan, Sen. George Jepsen, Rep. Moira Lyons, Rep David Pudlin). They are all Democrats. House Democrats can be reached at 1-800-842-1902 and Senate Democrats at 1-800-842-1420.

That's all for now.

David MacDonald
CAFCA Communications Director
TEL: 560-5847
FAX: 560-5848

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