Action Alert from the Arc of Texas

[Guest guest]

Update to Last Week's Call to Action on Waiting Lists...

On Friday, April 29th, the Budget Conference Committee adopted the Article II

Workgroup recommendation to reduce the waiting list by 10% over the next

biennium. The " other 10% " is still pending.

The Article II Workgroup and the Budget Conference Committee have a lot of work

to do this week. Decisions are NOT FINAL YET. Contine to make calls and visits

this week. Remember, time is of the essence. TAKE ACTION NOW!

The message:

Adopt a 10 year plan to eliminate the waiting lists AND reduce the waiting lists

by 20% in the next biennium!

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)

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)

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.

On Tuesday, April 26th, the workgroup tentatively approved 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!

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.

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

THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION!

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to make these important

calls. We will keep you posted on any new developments on funding for the

waiting lists.

M. Guppy

www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org