January 17,2002
It's been a very busy week already with at least two, no,
three budget
proposals out there.
The one we favor overwhelmingly is the Governors Budget.
We ask that you call legislators and let them know that we want them to
support the Governor's budget. It contains money so that Protected Income
levels don't have to change. There is money for DME. The good news:
It restores funding for:
- Elderly In Home Services - 4.4 million. That's the meals program.
- Mental Health Grants
- DD Grants
- Funeral Assistance
- It ADDS an additional 10 Million for SRS. 5 Million would go to waiting
lists and 5 Million to rate increases.
- people with terminal illness can access waiver services. ( If they live
long enough waiting for services)
To fund it, it would require:
- 1/4 cent sales tax increase. (that's one penny for every $4.00 you spend
on anything taxable) So a Big Mac, fries and coke extra value meal will cost.
$3.31 instead of $3.30. We checked with Salina McDonald's...no relation)
- $. 65 cent increase on cigarettes. (whoa, now that's an incentive to
quit...no, wait, maybe we should all just buy them and throw
'em away!)
-$. 01 cent per gallon Motor fuel tax (the way prices vary
on gas, will you
even know the difference?)
- 3% Registration fees on all vehicles (this is a
restoration of taxes we
previously paid, then didn't, now will again.)
Now, in all seriousness, if you are buying a big ticket item, say a house,
the 1/4 cent sales tax will increase the cost. But are we in this for the
long haul or not?
The bad news on the Governors Budget is:
- Still includes requirement that parents co pay on kids services on HCBS
Waiver.
- Still requires co pay on Pharmaceuticals for medical card.
- Does not allow people with terminal illness to use Medicaid funds for
hospice.
- Does not restore the rate cuts for the PD Waiver. (the 5 million increase
for rates appears to be for Doc's who accept medical cards. We don't want to
compete with them, but we need to get the story out that the cut WILL affect
attendant's salaries)
All in all, it is a good budget.
ACTIONS:
1. PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE TO THANK THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS SUPPORT. IF YOU DIDN'T
HEAR HIS SPEECH, YOU SHOULD. HE TALKED ABOUT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AT
LEAST FIVE TIMES. TALKED ABOUT INDEPENDENCE.
2. LET LEGISLATORS KNOW YOU WANT THEM TO SUPPORT THE GOV. PROPOSED
BUDGET.
NO LESS WILL DO!
3. GET MORE AWARENESS TO COMMUNITIES ABOUT WHAT CUTS WILL MEAN.
Gina's schedule for next week.
Monday - Holiday. Martin Luther Kings Birthday. A great day to do
something
to promote freedom for all!
I will be in Topeka on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:30 to ????
Thursday and Friday In Salina.
Thanks. Please feel free to forward this e-mail on. If you want someone
else on the list, send their address. If you don't want to receive these
anymore,
please e-mail me at ginamcd@aol.com
Gina McDonald
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