FW: [txpacs] On to the Conference Committee

[Guest guest]

[txpacs] On to the Conference Committee

Advocates: The Senate today voted 19-12 to pass SB 1. Bypassing tradition they used a rule that allowed them to bring HB 1 to the floor by a majority vote then substituted SB 1 and passed it. Though better than the House bill, the Senate bill still cuts $11 billion from current services. The expression: "If you put lipstick on a pig, you still have a pig" describes the Senate budget bill. I think our strategy should be to continue to visit our local legislators and tell how important home and community services and other health and human services are to our lives, dignity and independence. Soon a Conference Committee will be appointed (5 Senators and 5 Representatives) who will attempt to come to an agreement on a final budget before May 31st. If they can't the Governor will have to call a Special Session to address the budget. Our challenge is to make the Republican legislators realize that these draconian cuts are actually fiscally foolish. Cuts to community services will result in more use of costly medical services, use of more costly institutional services and loss of economic productivity as family members having to leave or not go to work. So it still comes down to you, working with others in your community, to send the above messages. Don't be fooled that the Senate bill is ok just because it is better than the House. An analogy would be a man with a machete threatening to cut off your arm who to be "gentle" says he will only cut off you hand. Would you be understanding? Would you just sit there or would you fight to protect your arm AND hand. I assume you would yell NO CUTS. DON'T MOURN...ORGANIZE! Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T