Action Alert taken from TXPACS

[Guest guest]

Dear Parents,

This is to remind you to attend an important hearing this Friday morning

4/29 at 8:00 AM in room E1.036, with your children, if possible! At this

hearing our legislators will decide how much of the waiting lists (CLASS, CBA,

HCS, etc) to fund during the next two years. Please pack the room to show your

concern! Also, please make calls per below. 115,000 Texans with disabilities

and their famlies need your voice today!

Thank you!

The Litzinger family: , Bill and Amy

257-8688 home

922-3810 cell

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CALL TO ACTION REGARDING THE WAITING LISTS-THIS MAY BE OUR LAST CHANCE TO

INFLUENCE CRITICAL BUDGET DECISIONS!!

Make calls ALL DAY Thursday (April 28th) and Friday (April 29th)

THE MESSAGE

Adopt a 10-year plan to eliminate the waiting lists!

LEGISLATORS THAT NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU:

Lt. Governor Dewhurst, (Houston)

Speaker Tom Craddick, (Midland)

Budget Conference Committee Member: Sen. Steve Ogden (College Station) (512)

463-0105

*Budget Conference Committee Member: Sen. Judith Zaffirini (Laredo) (512)

463-0121

Budget Conference Committee Member: Sen. Kip Averitt (Waco)

Budget Conference Committee Member: Sen. Duncan (Lubbock) (512)

463-0128

Budget Conference Committee Member: Sen. Whitmire (Houston) (512)

463-0115

Budget Conference Committee Member: Rep. Jim Pitts (Waxahachie)

*Budget Conference Committee Member: Rep. Vilma Luna (Corpus Christi) (512)

463-0484

*Budget Conference Committee Member: Rep. Dan Gattis (town) (512)

463-0309

Budget Conference Committee Member: Rep. Lois Kolkhorst (Brenham) (512)

463-0600

Budget Conference Committee Member: Rep. Sylvester (Houston) (512)

463-0554

*Article II Workgroup Members (Sen. Zaffirini, Rep. Luna, and Rep. Gattis) are

responsible for making recommendations on the health and human services budget

to the full Budget Conference Committee on Friday, April 29th.

BACKGROUND

HHSC Exceptional Item #27, totaling $257.6 million General Revenue, reduces the

waiting lists by 20% over the next biennium (FY 2006-2007). Most importantly,

as proposed, this item funds the first two years of a 10-year plan to

reduce/eliminate the waiting lists.

On Tuesday, April 26th, the workgroup tentatively approved only a 10% reduction

of the DADS waiting lists over the next biennium. A 10% reduction is half of

the HHSC Exceptional Item #27. The aging and disability communities want the

Texas Legislature to DO MORE. Please note that Sen. Zaffirini continues to

support the 10-year plan to eliminate the waiting lists and a 20% reduction of

the waiting lists over the next biennium. When you make your calls, be sure to

thank Sen. Zaffirini for her continued efforts on this critical matter. Sen.

Zaffirini is a true champion!

115,000 TEXANS ON THE WAITING LISTS (As of November 30, 2004)

HCS (Home and Community Based Services)-26,698

CLASS (Community Living Assistance and Support Services)-13,458

DB/MD (Deaf-Blind with Multiple Disabilities)-18

MDCP (Medically Dependent Children Program)-8,604

CBA (Community Based Alternatives)- 66,787

M. Guppy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org