April 12, 2002

The Senate worked until about 9:00 last night, but finally came up with a
budget bill that calls for about 305 million in new spending.  The bill
leaves Level of Care scores and Protected income level at current levels,
which is a major victory for us all.

However, there are no new dollars for the waiting lists for waivers, (DD or
PD), so look for waiting lists to increase greatly next year.

Democrats offered an amendment to add dollars to reinstate many of the most
onerous cuts made to SRS budget including money to eliminate PD and DD waiver
waiting list for next year.  The vote followed party line with all Dems
voting for the increase and all Republicans EXCEPT LARRY SALMANS voting
against the restoration of funds.  Could it be that he's finally hearing what
Lou Ann is saying? Or could it be that now that he will have to run against
Janis Lee, he wants to vote like her?  I want to believe it's because of all
the fine work the folks at LINK have done!

The tax bill that got out of the Senate committee has an increase of $335
million, so it could cover the budget bill and then some.

Now you may recall that the House budget bill does include 1.1 million
additional funds for the PD Waiver waiting list, so now we go to conference
committee, maybe beginning as early as today at 2:00.

We look to be here at least until Saturday night, because the Senate tax bill
is not on the top of the agenda today.  They have to get a bill to conference
committee before 12 tomorrow night if they want to be able to work it before
May 1st.  If so, they will have conference committees beginning April 23rd,
if not, they can't work tax bill until May 1st when they return.

Confused yet?  Me too!

But I do know that they will be home starting Monday until at least April
23rd for conference committee folks and May 1st for the rest.

It is important that we get to them during break to remind them about the
waiting lists and what that means.  3 million would take care of PD Waiting
list for next year.  If it stays at current levels, we will see over 1,000
people waiting by the end of next fiscal year.

More to come tonight.

If you have questions, feel free to e-mail me. I check it regularly.  Keep up
the great work, the fight is not over yet! 

Gina

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