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Putting in our two and half cents
There's
nothing better to stave off the depletion of brain cells than getting
involved in the legislative process. Thanks to weekly developmental
disabilities advocacy days, the old neural net might even fortify itself.
The following story serves as a good example of what it's worth to keep
advocating in the face of overwhelming odds.
For the
past three Advocacy Days, Ed Holen of the Developmental Disabilities Council
has talked about the $1.4 billion budget bonus and the dilemma lawmakers
have in deciding what to do with it: spend it, save it, give it back to
taxpayers, or any combination of thereof. He's used the example of $1.40 to
demonstrate the state's fiscal surplus, giving it to one participant for a
week to see what he decided to do.
The result:
the participant (who's initials are David Lord of WPAS), decided to convert
each penny into $10 million dollars, which means he's either smart or
cheap... or both. From the magic of David's mathematics, he determined that
only 2 1/2 cents would address DD advocates' budget requests to meet the
needs of those who are waiting for services.
Just two
and one half pennies out of a total 140 puts into perspective the little it
will take to bring some balance back into the DD service system. Just two
and half cents will ensure that all graduating high school transition
students get funding for employment services, that community-based respite
is available for families in crisis, that additional residential services
are available to those in need, that service providers are given a long
overdue wage increase and that a few more case managers are added to the
mix.
What this
means is that there really are no excuses for leaving individuals with
developmental disabilities out of the budget. Despite the hard line of
Governor Gregoire to stick to supplemental budget "fixes," this little bit
of money will go a long way to filling holes in the DD system. If you have
not already done so, be sure to ask your legislators for help as the House
and Senate pound out their budget proposals. It's a drop in the bucket, or
pennies on the pound, to provide a little help to the many who've been
forgotten.
Visit the
Arc of Washington State's
online action center for talking points and sample message to send as is
or edit using your own words.
In
other news...
New bills
continue to glut the system just ahead of the February 3rd deadline for
bills to survive another round of pummeling. We're seeing an unprecedented
number of bills on developmental disabilities, in large part due to a recent
series of news articles about the DD Community Protection Program.
Two of
these bills were heard this week.
Senate Bill 6630, sponsored by Sen. Kline (D-37), is a more
comprehensive bill that addresses several issues related to how people enter
and exit the CPP program, as well as provider qualifications. In the House,
Rep. Roberts (D-21) has tackled the issue with a broader brush that covers
all residential services with three separate bills.
HB 2914 sets certification standards for providers. It was heard two
days ago and passed unaminously just yesterday with two small amendments. HB
3155 creates an office of the ombudsman for developmental disabilities,
and
HB 3158 mandates stricter background checks for DD service providers.
They each have wrinkles to iron out, and it remains to be seen if any can be
accomplished during this whirlwind short session.
For a list
of all the bills we're tracking, visit:
http://capwiz.com/arcwa/issues/bills/?state=WA
Bills in Brief
Affordable Housing
Substitute House Bill 2418 — Increasing the availability of affordable
housing -- was passed House Housing committee and is schedule for a hearing
in House Capital Budget Thursday, February 2 at 1:30. After that, it's only
got 5 more days to make the deadline for bills to get out of fiscal
committees. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Springer (D-45), takes advantage of
the hot housing market to leverage increased real estate excise taxes for
the benefit of people who cannot buy into the run-away market. For people
with developmental disabilities, this bill adds $1.25 million to the Housing
Trust Fund DD Set-Aside.
Take Action: Contact members of
House Capital Budget, especially if your representative sits on this
committee or you represent an organization in his or her district. Urge them
to support SHB 2418 because it will provide desperately needed affordable
housing to people with developmental disabilities.
Birth-to-Three Early Intervention Services
House Bill 1107 — Providing early Intervention services for children
with disabilities — was finally scheduled for a hearing just yesterday after
some strong advocacy by the WEE Care Coalition. The legislation, sponsored
by Rep. Dickerson (D-36) requires every school district to provide or
contract for early intervention birth-to-three services. The bill has only
until February 7th to scoot out of Appropriations. It needs help!
Take Action: Contact members of
House Appropriations, especially if your representative sits on this
committee or you represent an organization in her or his district. Urge them
to support House Bill 1107 -- Providing early Intervention services for
children with disabilities. Let them know the value of school district
participation in birth to three early intervention services for children
with disabilities.
Crimes Against People with Developmental Disabilities
Earlier this week, Rep, Miloscia (D-30), introduced a bill that protects
persons with developmental disabilities from perpetrators who commit their
crimes while providing transportation, within the course of their
employment. This stems from an incident in which a bus driver sexual
assaulted a person with developmental disabilities; since the driver was not
considered to be in a ""supervisory" position, the act was not considered
second degree rape.
HB 3168 http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=3168&year=2006
bill addresses this oversight in the law. It has not been schedule for a
hearing, however, and the February 3rd deadline is looming ominously.
Take Action: Contact members of
Criminal Justice & Corrections and urge them to hold a hearing and pass
HB 3168 before the February 3rd deadline.
DD Caseload Forecasting
House Bill 1416 and
Senate Bill 6052 — Expanding the responsibilities of the caseload
forecast council — were both introduced last session but neither even
received a hearing. Sponsored by Rep. Miloscia (D- 30) and Sen. Kline
(D-37), this legislation directs the inclusion of developmental disabilities
in the state’s forecast of caseload trends. This forecasting is what allows
the governor and legislature to plan for changes in the need for services
and funding. In a case of now you see it now you don't, the senate bill was
scheduled for a hearing before Ways & Means, then yanked from the schedule
the day before. We've heard there's a possibility that a new bill will be
introduced that creates a study on the caseload numbers. Stayed tuned...and
Take Action: Contact members of
Senate Ways & Means, especially if your senator sits on this committee
or you represent an organization in her or his district. Urge them to hold a
hearing on SB 6052 — Expanding the responsibilities of the caseload forecast
council. Let them know it’s time to bring developmental disabilities out of
the dark and shed some light on its caseload trends and pressures so that
the legislature and better plan for the future of DD services. Do the same
for HB 1416 and members of House Appropriations.
Disability Access Voting
House Bill 2479 and
Senate Bill 6242 —Ensuring equipment accessibility for voters with
visual impairments — are in the process of being improved by amendments to
include all people with disabilities and to establish county advisory
councils to meet the diverse needs for accessible voting machines at the
local level. These companion bills are sponsored by Rep. Haigh (D-35) and
Sen. Kastama (D-25). The House bill is scheduled to be voted on today in
House State Government Operations & Accountability, with amendments. No word
on the state of the Senate companion bill.
Take Action: Contact members of
Senate Government Operations and Elections, especially if your senator
sits on this committee or you represent an organization in her or his
district. Urge them to support SB 6242 — accessible voting equipment. Let
them know it’s a good bill, but needs to be amended to include all people
with disabilities as well as county advisory councils to determine
accessible voting machines at the local level. Since the timing of the House
bill conflicts with the timing of this message, look for future updates for
steps to take on HB 2479.
Foster Care
HB 2390 -- Licensing of facilities serving children and persons with
developmental disabilities — was heard this week in House Children & Family
Services. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Kagi (D-32), addresses the issue of
inclusion and integration when selecting the location of staffed foster care
homes, but it goes about it in a way that opens the door to discrimination.
The bill was born out of discontent over the location of several foster care
homes for children with developmental disabilities that are located in the
same neighborhood. Advocates feel there is a better way to promote inclusion
and integration without discriminating against people with developmental
disabilities. This same legislation has been introduced by Sen. Fairley
(D-32).
Senate Bill 6155 was heard the first day of session by Senate Health &
Long Term Care, but has not been voted out of committee. It looks as if
enough concern has been raised to put this legislation to rest, but it still
has seven more days of life. The deadline for its survival is next Friday,
February 3rd.
Take Action: Contact members of
House Children and Family Services, especially if your representative
sits on this committee or you represent an organization in his or her
district, and urge them to oppose HB 2390 — Licensing of facilities serving
children and persons with developmental disabilities. Let them know there
are better ways to promote integration and inclusion without opening the
door to discrimination. The same message can be sent to
Senate Health & Long Term Care regarding SB 6155.
State Liability
SB 6215 -- Defining the liability of pubic entities for tortious conduct
-- shields state government from lawsuits arising from its own negligence.
It's quite simply an ugly stain on our justice system that covers up
wrongdoing against vulnerable citizens. Sponsored by Sen. Kline (D-37), by
request of the Attorney General, this legislation was heard in Senate
Judiciary just yesterday.
Take Action: Contact members of
Senate Judiciary right away, especially if your senator sits on this
committee or you represent an organization in his or her district, and urge
him or her to oppose SB 6215 -- a bad bill that undermines the rights of
people with developmental disabilities and others who rely on state
government services.
Transfer of Property
HB 2759 -- relating to the transfer of certain real property
and facilities. Sponsored by Rep. Ericks (D-1) it's a tricky bill to
explain in brief, but it essentially helps certain non-profit DD service
providers stay in business by allowing public entities to transfer property
to them. It's limited to properties that were improved or acquired using
Referendum 29 or 37 bonds. It's a good little bill that just passed House
Capital Budget and is on its way to House Rules (the gatekeeper to the
floor).
Take Action: Contact your representatives and urge them to
support HB 2579 -- a good bill that helps people developmental disabilties.
Thanks to You
The Arc of Washington State thanks the following organizations for ensuring
that the voice of developmental disabilities was heard this week: The Arc of
Grays Harbor, The Arc of King County, Autism Society of Washington, the
Community Residential Services Association, the Developmental Disabilities
Council, Parent Coalition of Clark County, Parent Coalition of King County,
Parent Coalition of Pierce County, Parent Coalition of Snohomish County,
Parkview Services, Partnership 2020, People First of Clark County, REW, Self
Advocates in Leadership, Self Advocates of Washington, Voices in Action,
Washington Protection & Advocacy, and Work Opportunities.
Action Shorts
Toll Free Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Day
Hearings of Interest
Bills of Interest
Upcoming Events
Every Wednesday:
Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Day
10:00 am
Come be part of the action in Olympia! Learn the latest news first hand and
how to be heard on the hill. Advocacy Day happens every Wednesday during
legislative session. The day begins at 10:00 with an hour briefing on
issues, questions and answers, and opportunities for an afternoon of
advocacy. For more information, contact 1-888-754-8798, ext. 105 or,
bean@arcwa.org. Limited stipends for
travel, respite and interpreters are available on a first-come first-served
basis.
January 25 highlighted topic: Autism. Plus bills of interest, budget update,
and tips for successful advocacy.
Wednesday, January 25
Autism Rally
1:30 pm
Capitol Rotunda
Rally to raise awareness of autism and promote legislation that benefits
children and adults with autism.
Wednesday, February 22
Independent Living Day Rally
10:00
Capitol Steps
Join us on the steps of the Capitol Campus for a special Advocacy Day
coordinated in partnership with PAS Port for Change. For more information,
contact: 1-888-754-8798, ext. 105, or
bean@arcwa.org.
The Arc of Washington State
Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities
2600 Martin Way E, Suite B
Olympia, WA 98506
888.754.8798
http://www.arcwa.org/
