Action Alert on DADS and HHSC Budgets from ADAPT

[Guest guest]

Subject: Senate Finance Committee News

Dear Advocates in the IL Community:

The Senate Finance Committee has completed their initial work on the DADS and

HHSC budgets. SOME GOOD NEWS!

The Senate Finance Health and Human Services workgroup chaired by Senator

Zaffirini

made some significant inroads on the waiting lists. $79 million was put into

the " base " budget bill and $177 million dollars was put in Article XI which is

money that can still be appropriated when the budget Conference Committee meets

later in the session. (Article XI is called the " Wish List " )

It is important that advocates contact the Senate Finance Committee members and

let them know that we support any efforts they can make to put the $177 million

dollars in the final budget bill. Contacting other members of the Senate,

Democrats and Republicans, telling them the same message will REALLY HELP IN

ASSURING THAT WE WILL REDUCE THE WAITING LISTS.

The message: We support the work of the Finance Health and Human Service

workgroup on " ENDING THE WAITING LIST " . Add the $177 million in Article XI to

the final budget bill.

Your advocacy at the local level will really make the difference.

Tell the Senators to fund CBA and the other waivers so older Texans and people

with disabilities can live in the community with dignity.

Senate Finance Members:

firstname.lastname@...

Senator Ogden

Senator Zaffirini 463-0121

Senator Averitt 463-0122

Senator Barrientos 463-0114

Senator Brimer 463-0110

Senator Deuell 463-0102

Senator Duncan 463-0128

Senator Janek 463-0117

Senator 463-0112

Senator Shapiro 463-0108

Senator Shapleigh 463-0129

Senator Staples 463-0103

Senator West 463-0123

Senator Whitmire 463-0115

Senator 463-0104

OTHER SENATORS

Senator Armbrister 463-0118

Senator Carona 463-3135

Senator Ellis 463-0113

Senator Eltife 463-0101

Senator Estes 463-0130

Senator Fraser 463-0124

Senator Gallegos Jr. 463-0106

Senator 463-0109

Senator Hinojosa 463-0120

Senator 463-0117

Senator 463-0107

Senator Lucio 463-0127

Senator Madla 463-0119

Senator Seliger 463-0131

Senator Van de Putte 463-0126

Senator Wentworth 463-0125

P.S.

I know that everyone is very busy...

I know people on the waiting lists are depending on us.

The window of opportunity is shrinking and time is of the essence.

We can AND will make a difference!

The ADAPT Community

M. Guppy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Regional Coordinator for the TEAM Project: www.PartnersTX.org